Business in Whiting
Locating a business in Whiting has several advantages: a vibrant community welcoming new development opportunities, access to the broad Chicago market, a distinctive business district and a location along Lake Michigan’s picturesque shoreline.
To learn more about the business environment of Whiting, please select one of the following:
2.1—Current Economic Development Initiatives
With over a century of innovation behind us, Whiting isn’t slowing down. We invite you to participate in a development renaissance that will continue to focus on our most valuable assets: a neighborly community, a fabulous lakeshore and easy access to Chicago.
BP Expansion
The BP Whiting Refinery is undergoing a $3.8 Billion expansion in order to increase their capacity to refine Canadian Crude Oil. During this expansion, which is expected to last 3 to 5 years, an additional 2,000 contract workers will join
1,500 contract employees already on-site and the 1,700-person
BP workforce.
Whiting Lakefront Development
The city has proposed the development of Lake Michigan’s shoreline adjacent to the Whiting Park. Envisioned are a host of maritime attractions, lakeshore enhancements and
park renovations. Project details and timelines are under review and are updated regularly.
Contact Bob Kark at
for further information.
Renovation of Illiana Hotel
Private investment of over $1 million is turning the historic Illiana Hotel (located at the corner of 119th & Atchison) into a structure that will contain approximately 12 condominium units on the top two stories and over 10,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground level. Basement parking is envisioned. Raw retail space is currently available for $10/square foot.
Redevelopment Commission Property
The Redevelopment Commission is interested in the development of a parcel located at 2418 Indianapolis Boulevard. Interested parties should submit an executive summary of their intention for the property to include any items in which assistance would be required. Contact Brian Lowry at
or (219) 659-7700 for more information.
New Residential Development
New, single-family dwellings are being built in two areas of the City. The
Lakefront Commons Project on center Street is undergoing the construction of single-family homes that will occupy the entire tract of land from 119th Street to 117th Street. An “empty-nester” condominium development is envisioned for the parcel of land fronting 119th Street. The 1900 block of New York Avenue is
also undergoing the first phase of construction.
Due to the dynamic nature of these issues, please recognize that all information is subject to regular and rapid change. Please contact Brian Lowry, director of Community Development, at 659-7704 x. 246 or
for current status of the projects.
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2.2—Benefits of locating a business in Whiting
A welcoming community, an excellent target market and a great location…explore the benefits of locating your business in Whiting.
The Benefit of Business Incentives
To create a welcoming atmosphere for commercial development, the City of Whiting offers the following incentives to investors in the community:
The Benefit of Demography
Nearly 62,000 people employed within 5 miles, an average family income of $60,625 within a mile of the downtown district, over
400,000 visitors annually: these numbers tell the story of a community whose wants and needs your business can fill.
Retail Opportunity and Surplus Gaps
The locus (3.8) for these demographic reports is the intersection of 119th & Indianapolis Blvd, which sees a daily traffic count of 15,000 cars. These figures identify how much residents of an area spend and contrast that to how much is actually spent within the same area.
Annual Events and Attractions - View List (3.7)
Whiting celebrates community and draws visitors to town with a full calendar of special events designed to showcase our merchants, charming business district and lakefront setting.
The Benefit of Location
With great views of Chicago’s skyline along Lake Michigan’s shore, Whiting has the advantage of being within 30 minutes of a nexus of transportation arteries: state and interstate highways, commuter and commercial train lines, an international harbor and a regional airport. Lakefront living and easy access to everywhere else makes Whiting a convenient place to reside, work or visit.
You can link to an interactive Google map here.
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2.3—Opening & Operating a Business in Whiting
Opening and operating a business in Whiting has all the advantages of tight-knit community with access to a much broader market. To assist you at any point in the process, contact Brian Lowry, Director of Community Development, at 659-7704 x.246 or
.
Finding a location
Finding the perfect location for your business is an easy thing to do. Vacancies are listed here to assist your search.
Obtaining a Business License
Business Licenses are obtained through the Clerk’s Office. To apply for a Whiting Business License, click here.
Complying with Local Ordinances and Regulations
Whiting preserves the integrity of our historic downtown business district by maintaining and enforcing strict standards.
Historic Preservation District
The Historic Preservation District encompasses all businesses on 119th Street and those on Indianapolis Boulevard between 120th & Atchison. All facade and sign improvements, changes, or updates must conform to the prescribed standards.
Click here to learn about District Guideline
Click here to learn about the Application for Certificate of Appropriateness
Ordinance Code
All businesses and properties within Whiting must conform to the ordinances set forth by the City Council. For a searchable database of the City’s Code of Ordinances, please click here.
Chamber of Commerce
The Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce is an organization dedicated to making your business a success. Through special events, public relations and open communication with businesses, the Chamber is a vital part of the business community. To learn more, click here.
Outdoor Café Permit
The ambiance and charm of 119th is enhanced when businesses take advantage of outdoor café permits. To apply for an outdoor permit, click
here.
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2.4—Starting a New Business
Entrepreneurs find a welcome home in Whiting. Reasonable rents, the ability to draw from the Greater Chicagoland Region and a community-oriented business district make for an attractive start-up environment. For assistance in starting a business, several resources are available.
The Indiana Secretary of State
Indiana’s Secretary of State offers an Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting A Business in Indiana:
http://www.in.gov/sos/business/corps/guide.html
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration provides information on starting and growing a business.
http://www.sba.gov
Take the SBA’s Readiness Assessment Tool
(a quiz designed to help you figure out if you are ready to start a new venture):
http://app1.sba.gov/sbat/index.cfm?Tool=4
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is a convenient source of reliable information that can help you make decisions regarding operating a business in Indiana.
http://www.indianachamber.com
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2.5 –Links to Regional Planning & Development Sites
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3.1—Tax Abatement
The City Council may approve property tax abatement if a
project meets certain requirements and will benefit the community.
Tax abatement for new construction and renovation projects will be
considered using the following sliding scale. The amount and term of abatement is determined by the amount of Assessed Valuation added to the community. The percentage of abatement declines in equal amounts over the course of the term (i.e., 10% reduction per year over 10 years).
Greater than $500,000................10 Years
$100,000 to $499,999..................5 Years
$10,000 to $99,999......................3 Years
All
abatement requests must be submitted before the project
begins. Contact City Attorney Denise Sejna at
for additional information.
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3.2—Economic Development Loans
The Whiting Redevelopment Commission has programs in place that are designed to evaluate and assist (through economic development loans) large-scale improvements to the community.
In recent years, Economic Development Loans have assisted in securing several millions of dollars of additional investment in the community. These Loans are approached on a case-by-case basis.
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3.3—Facade Renovation Grants
To maintain the charming character of the Whiting Business District (119th Street), a facade renovation program offers a 50/50 match for exterior improvements. These grants, which are funded through the Redevelopment Commission, are capped at $7,500 per street address and are subject to the availability of funding.
Some recent examples of facade renovation include:
To apply for a renovation grant, please click here (link)
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3.4—1 Mile Opportunity Gap
Click
here to view PDF.
3.5—3 Mile Opportunity Gap
Click
here to view PDF.
3.6—5 Mile opportunity Gap
Click
here to view PDF.
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3.7—Whiting Special Events & Attractions
Pierogi Fest
Over 100,000 of our closest friends stop by for three wacky days of food and fun in honor of the venerable Pierogi. As seen on the Food Channel, Travel Channel, and other national and regional media outlets, this annual event is held the last full weekend of July.
Additional information can be found by visiting the Pierogi Fest web sites at:
http://www.pierogifest.net/ or
http://www.whitingindiana.com/events_pierogi_festival.php.
4th of July Parade & Fireworks
Indiana’s oldest 4th of July parade draws
nearly 40,000 visitors and hundreds of parade entries from across the Midwest to celebrate our nation’s Independence. Parade is held every Fourth with spectacular lakefront fireworks that evening.
Summer with the Symphony
A concert series that takes advantage of the beautiful lakefront setting in Whiting
Lakefront Park, the Symphonies draw approximately 1,500 listeners for their 4 major symphonic events. These concerts begin in July and end on Labor Day, alternating weekends with smaller jazz concerts.
Cruise Nights
Vintage classics, muscle cars and the music they inspired provide a unique setting along 119th Street for the Cruise Nights held every 3rd Wednesday of the month from May through October.
Farmer’s Market
Specialty Amish fare including fresh fruit, vegetables, homemade breads, butters and jams are available every Saturday from Spring through Fall.
Easter Parade
Northwest Indiana’s only Easter Parade and sidewalk “Egg-stravaganza” is marked by it’s dozen roaming Bunch O’ Bunnies, the remarkably creative Peeps contest, egg and bonnet contests and, of course, a city full of people bunny-hopping down 119th on the Saturday before Easter weekend.
Oktoberfest/Dark in the Park
Hayrides, pony rides, family activities, non-profit booths, and merchants are backdropped by cornstalks and pumpkins as the harvest season is celebrated on 119th Street. Dark in the Park transforms the Whiting Park Pavilion into a haunted house every October.
Illuminated Christmas Parade & Home for the Holidays
The Christmas Season is honored every year with an Illuminated Parade on 119th Street and a tour of magnificently decorated homes.
For the Love of Art/Come to the Cabernet
Whiting, known for its vital art community, is showcased in the 119th Street Artists’ “For the Love of Art” arts & crafts fair which coincides with “Come to the Cabarnet,” a wine tasting sponsored by Winey Beach Café. This event is held annually in September.
Garage Mahal
This one-of-a-kind event provides the opportunity to discover treasures among 200 yard and garage sales. Held the 3rd Saturday of each May.
Other Attractions
Whihala Beach
Whihala Beach, a Lake County Parks facility, welcomes more than 150,000 visitors each year to enjoy the amenities of a mile-long beach and a boat launch into Lake Michigan. Click here to learn more.
Whiting Community Center
Built in 1923 as John D. Rockefeller’s Memorial to the veteran’s of WWI, this classic structure is listed on the National Historic Register and serves the community through use as an exercise facility, meeting place, extracurricular educational site, social hall and more. Click here to learn more.
Whiting Public Library
A gift to the people of Whiting from Andrew Carnegie, this is the most heavily trafficked (per capita) library in the State of Indiana. Click here to learn more.
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3.8—Locus for Map
Click here to view PDF.
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