A lot of business is conducted in the Region, and GreatNews.Life is there to capture the biggest moments. Whether that’s spotlighting some of the businesses making an impact on the day-to-day lives of those living in Northwest Indiana to helping find our readers a home in an ever expanding market, we’re proud to serve as a leader in business reporting in the Region.
2023 saw a lot of focus placed on the people who help production run in Northwest Indiana. New ventures were introduced to the Region, old ones were reacquainted, and a special spotlight shone on the employees that make every successful business work.
In no particular order, here are the Top 10 business articles on NWI.Life to recap the good news in 2023!
Stephany Leonard finds passion for helping businesses grow through new position at Everwise Credit Union
From serving in the military to guiding businesses toward growth, Everwise Credit Union (TCU) Business Banking Relationship Manager Stephany Leonard is all about helping people. After serving in the Army National Guard, Leonard was searching for a stable, challenging job that would also allow her a comfortable work/life balance and found what she was looking for at TCU.
While Leonard served in the National Guard on the weekends, she also got a job in the banking industry as a teller. Over the course of her early career, Leonard would advance by learning many of the skills required to move into management. It was then that Leonard knew that the financial industry was right for her.
Women helping women: the sales staff at Thomas Kia is helping the Region with all car needs
Next to buying a home, purchasing a car is one of the biggest financial decisions a person can make. A customer will have their vehicle for years to come, so it’s important they have experts they’re comfortable talking to during the purchasing process. For many women, it can be difficult to alleviate the anxiety of what could happen when purchasing a car, but Thomas Kia of Highland’s sales team works hard to make sure everyone has an expert they can rely on.
One of the ways that Thomas Kia makes everyone feel comfortable is by having a diverse sales team, nearly 50% of whom are women. Thomas Kia is one of the only dealerships in the Region that’s able to boast such impressive numbers, and the variety of associates available ensures a proper connection every time. The women on the sales team include Itxel Carlos, Janelle Najar, Paige Seely, and Kristy Czyzniejewski, and they’ve really found their home at Thomas Kia.
Transit Development District of Munster builds framework for future
With help from Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA), the Town of Munster is working to make the transit development district a safe, convenient, and attractive area. Munster’s Town Manager, Dustin Anderson, knows that investing in the transit development district–along with positive qualities such as low property taxes, accessibility, public safety, and great schools–will attract developers and help Munster thrive.
In light of these qualities, Northwest Indiana RDA Director of Communications David Wellman shared that Northwest Indiana RDA is committed to working on the transit development district alongside the Town of Munster.
Burke’s Outdoor Equipment hosts grand re-opening for new state-of-the-art storefront built by Chester Inc.
After decades of service in helping maintain the Region’s Lawns and Gardens, Burke’s Outdoor Equipment is celebrating the completion of a major renovation to their storefront, a brand new state-of-the-art facility at 745W US Highway 30 Valparaiso designed and built by Chester Inc. Architectural & Construction Services.
The building features an eye-catching red design, complemented by a black stripe and grey accents, and dramatically expands the available space for storage and the showroom allowing for a more comfortable experience for shoppers.
Knowledgeable, fast, and trustworthy: Clients explain how Latitude Commercial makes a difference in Region real estate
Latitude Commercial is a homegrown, full-service commercial real estate brokerage and property management firm. From local entrepreneurs and investors to national brands such as Dunkin’, Walgreens, and Arby’s, Latitude is trusted to provide prompt service and expert analysis to ensure its clients find their ideal property.
Latitude’s approach starts from the top, with Co-Founder/President Aaron McDermott, Co-Founder/Senior Vice President Brett McDermott, and Vice President Myles Rapchak. Day-in and day-out, they work with their clients to meet their goals.
Todd Scheub: People’s Bank President & LCEA Board Member
Lake County IN Economic Alliance (LCEA) board member and investor, Todd Scheub, started in the banking industry as a commercial loan officer in 1996 when People’s Bank had about $300 million in assets. After many years of hard work and long hours, Scheub provided opportunities to advance People’s Bank leading to him being named as People’s Banks’ President in 2022.
A Lake County native, Scheub grew up in Lake County, graduated both high school and college in Lake County, and still resides in Lake County. Scheub has spent the majority of his life loving the Region and supporting the community in which he resides. Supporting LCEA, what they stand for, and what they bring to Northwest Indiana made the most logical sense.
Investing in its community: Whiting developing residential and commercial space along the lake
As more and more people discover the gem that is Northwest Indiana, housing becomes a top priority for would-be Region residents. The City of Whiting understands this, and, in an effort to expand its community and welcome those looking for a home with open arms, it has begun work on a new condominium/mixed-use space near the end of 119th Street in the Stadium District.
CertaPro Cuts the Ribbon on a New Office in Crown Point
CertaPro Painters of Northwest Indiana entered a new era for their business on Friday, May 12 with their ribbon cutting and grand opening of their new office in Crown Point.
The celebration marked the end of a year-long process, which started with the decision to move from their smaller previous location in Crown Point. The new location at 811 East Franciscan Drive, also known as Nine-Mile Road to locals, the new office brings a host of benefits to CertaPro.
Teachers Credit Union rebrands to Everwise Credit Union, encourages growth and financial confidence
On June 26, 2023, Teachers Credit Union (TCU) officially unveiled its new visual identity with a new logo, brand design, and website under the name Everwise Credit Union.
After conducting research, the company found that two-thirds of people in the community were under the impression that TCU was strictly for teachers.
GreatNews.Life, Community Healthcare System expand good news partnership
Community Healthcare System has extended and expanded its partnership with GreatNews.Life (GNL), an effort that will continue to keep Northwest Indiana residents informed of the latest and greatest in local health news.
Community Healthcare System was one of the first organizations to partner with GNL in support of its mission to spread positivity through hyper-local content when the media company was founded in 2009. Since then, Community Healthcare System has continued to use and support the GNL’s networks and the communities it serves.
