Lake County Convention Center rendering (Image provided)
Lake County Convention Center rendering (Image provided)
In Gary, Mayor Eddie Melton said “This is a historic and monumental day for Gary and all of Lake County,” following the announcement that the city was selected by the Lake County Board of Commissioners to be the home of the new Lake County Convention Center. With plans for a 145,000-square-foot convention center to be located near Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary along Interstate 80/94, the facility will be ideally located to attract large-scale conferences, trade shows, and premier events from across the nation, a news release said. The convention center represents the fruition of Senate Bill 434, authored by then-State Senator Eddie Melton and signed into law by Indiana Governor Holcomb in May 2023.
“This is a tremendous moment for Lake County,” said President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Matt Schuffert. “We are honored to be selected and grateful for everyone who stood with us throughout this bid process. Together, we have the chance to create a world-class destination that generates economic opportunity, creates jobs, drives tourism and supports local businesses.”
“We are excited to partner with the City of Gary and Hard Rock on the new Lake County Convention Center,” stated Managing Principal at AECOM Jeannette Peruchini. “With the project awarded, we are shifting into delivery mode, prioritizing a successful execution plan. Our team is ready to hit the ground running to expedite the project, allowing Lake County to benefit from the new convention center.” Construction on the project is expected to begin later this year. The development will include an estimated 300-room Hard Rock Hotel and is projected to create hundreds of construction jobs and permanent positions once operational.
“This victory wouldn’t have been possible without our exceptional partners at Hard Rock Northern Indiana and AECOM, who believed in our vision,” said Mayor Melton. “But the real heroes are the people of Gary and Northwest Indiana. To everyone who called commissioners, wrote letters, attended meetings, signed petitions, and spread our message—thank you. To our Common Council, elected officials, unions, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders who stood with us—your support proved what’s possible when we unite. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
