Assisted Living Facility Aims to Spark Development

The mayor of Michigan City says the more than $20 million assisted living facility currently under construction will be the cornerstone of new development in the city’s eastern corridor. Ron Meer says the facility, being developed by Chicago-based Vermilion Acquisitions, will feature 140-150 units that serve a great need in the LaPorte County city.
Meer says the development has been two years in the making and is expected to be complete in early 2018. He says the facility will create between 40 and 50 direct jobs and support existing businesses in the area.
Meer says he hopes the investment will help attract other businesses to the area, including to the Woodruff Industrial Park located across the street from the new assisted living development. He says he hopes to bring in logistics-related companies that use both truck and rail throughout the region, for which the industrial park is equipped.
"We’re in direct negotiations with one company right that I can’t speak to in detail because of the confidentiality of it but it fits into what we would see in that corridor," said Meer. "Throughout the city of Michigan City, right now is just really a great time. There’s a lot of interest in the city; a lot of things are heading in the right direction and momentum is good for our economy."
Meer says there will be announcements in the next month or two regarding new developments near the assisted living facility.
Meer says he hopes to attract new businesses to the area.