Members of Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation learn about Lansing Airport, Fox Pointe, and other economic opportunities
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (October 27, 2018) – Over 100 people attended yesterday’s quarterly meeting of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation, which is a larger-than-typical crowd for these meetings. Several were first-time attenders, attracted at least in part because of the venue—Lansing’s historic Ford Hangar.
The Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation (CSEDC) is a nonprofit corporation that oversees the economic development program of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA), of which Lansing is a member. The SSMMA website explains that CSEDC’s mission is to “identify, organize, and mobilize public and private resources that will result in the creation and expansion of businesses, thereby providing economic growth, sustainable jobs and development in the Southland.” Hosting the meeting gave Lansing an opportunity to showcase our current projects and future plans.
Mayor Patty Eidam began by welcoming CSEDC members to Lansing and describing the new Fox Pointe venue. “Our vision is to see this Village-owned venue used for a variety of events, and we hope to have a full schedule in place for 2019,” she said. “We are very proud of Fox Pointe, and we are confident that it will be an asset not only for Lansing, but for all of Chicago Southland.”
Former Airport Manager John DeLaurentis provided information about Lansing Municipal Airport, which is a reliever airport for Midway. In addition, as Village Administrator Dan Podgorski later explained, the Village hopes the Ford Hangar will be a southland destination, not only for its historical and architectural significance, but also as a cultural center and a venue for meetings and events.
In addition to describing some of the economic development that is current happening in Lansing, Podgorski told the crowd about the work that LNN has been doing to market the Village of Lansing through frequent professional videos. The LNN team is actively seeking new projects, and their services are available to other municipalities. Such work would become an additional source of revenue for Lansing.
