Transforming Our Community with a Vision For Vibrancy

Ignite growth & prosperity: Invest in a vibrant future for Michigan City, Indiana

What is Vibrant Michigan City

Vibrant Michigan City aims to ignite a more economically inclusive community through actionable steps that are rooted in research, data, public feedback, an advisory team of city leaders, and expert guidance. 

What is Vibrant Michigan City

Vibrant Michigan City aims to ignite a more economically inclusive community through actionable steps that are rooted in research, data, public feedback, an advisory team of city leaders, and expert guidance.

What is Vibrant Michigan City

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Amet cursus sit amet dictum. Urna cursus eget nunc scelerisque viverra mauris. Vitae aliquet nec ullamcorper sit. Euismod quis viverra nibh cras pulvinar mattis nunc sed blandit. Velit sed ullamcorper morbi tincidunt ornare massa eget egestas.

Michigan City sign

Important Notice

Indiana State Prison
Re-Imagination Project

This initiative will redefine the historic prison site by fostering future economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing community infrastructure. By reimagining this space, we hope to build a thriving hub for commerce, recreation, and residential development, contributing to Michigan City’s long-term prosperity.

The Vibrant MC Playbook

The Vibrant Michigan City Playbook is a comprehensive guide that presents a wide variety of projects, policies, and programs aimed at fostering a vibrant and thriving community. It encompasses the unique needs and characteristics of the three major areas of the Michigan City community: Westside, Eastside, and Mid Town.

Through this inclusive process, a set of goals and strategies emerged that not only reflect the community’s diverse perspectives but also support the unified vision of a vibrant Michigan City.

The Vibrant Michigan City Playbook serves as a dynamic roadmap for progress, combining community input, expert recommendations, and best practices. The Playbook will include a set of agendas, individual work plans that will be taken up by different lead (and local!) organizations, to help steer or spearhead each of the agenda efforts.  The agenda items will be focused on economic development, built environment, civic life, and social life.

Priority Area

West Side

The West Side of Michigan City faces high poverty rates and exhibits significant racial diversity. One noteworthy aspect is its proximity to the state prison, which influences the local dynamics. The West Side has experienced a population decline of 25% and suffers from a lack of essential quality-of-life assets such as banking institutions, grocery stores, public parks, and coffee shops. These challenges highlight the need for targeted efforts to uplift the West Side community and address its specific needs.

West Side Indiana State Prison aerial view
East Side Michigan City aerial view

Priority Area

East Side

The East Side of Michigan City faces high poverty levels, but it has a distinct characteristic of being an industrial job hub. Despite its challenges, the East Side benefits from accessible employment opportunities with higher incomes compared to other areas. The East Side has witnessed an 11% decline in population, indicating the importance of revitalization efforts to enhance the overall quality of life for its residents.

Priority Area

Midtown

In the heart of Michigan City lies Midtown. This corridor has been identified as a priority area due to its significant resident population. While Midtown exhibits fewer job opportunities compared to the other areas, the available jobs tend to offer higher wages. This aspect presents a unique opportunity to foster economic growth within the community. By strategically addressing the challenges faced by Midtown, such as the lack of quality-of-life assets and employment diversity, the area has the potential to thrive and positively impact the overall well-being of its residents.

Midtown Elston Middle School aerial view

Help Us Transform Michigan City

Get involved in Michigan City’s Vibrant Future

Resources & Downloads

Explore our resources and downloads designed to keep you informed and empowered. From strategic insights to detailed guides and essential updates, find everything you need in one convenient place.

Brookings Community Centered Economic Inclusion Strategic Playbook

Brookings Playbook

Community-Centered Economic Inclusion in Indiana Learning Lab graphic

Indiana CCEI Kickoff

Vibrant MC Playbook