Leaders were on hand Thursday for the groundbreaking of a new FedEx distribution center.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton says this is the right time for growth and expansion.
As the city continues its revitalization efforts, elected leaders say a new FedEx facility is one way to bring a much needed economic boost to the area.
"We sold this property probably about three or four months ago, as we put it for bid, and we had the highest best use come before us," Melton said. "And we're extremely proud that this project is going to be a FedEx facility."
Elected leaders broke ground for a new more than 300,000 square foot FedEx distribution center in Gary. The facility will be along Buffington Harbor Drive, near the Gary Chicago International Airport.
"That's going to inspire a lot of other people to invest here," Indiana Governor Mike Braun said. "It's going to give a lot of confidence in our state government to help make sure it's a comeback."
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This $60 million project is just of many ongoing efforts to revitalize Gary. Recently, U.S. Steel announced they are putting $200 millions into the steel plant in Gary after merging with Japan's Nippon Steel.
"That's going to yield residual tax benefits that we can invest in our infrastructure, which we're doing right now," Melton said. "It is going to invest in our public safety. So we're extremely excited about that."
The city of Gary is also partnering with the University of Notre Dame to redesign and transform its downtown. Mayor Melton says the city also just received a $15 million grant from the state to continue blight elimination.
The FedEx facility is expected to open in 2027 and create 600 jobs. Mayor Melton says those jobs will be in the areas of distribution and logistics.