Northwest Indiana Discussion

Imports and exports are vital to the U.S. economy. Consumers depend on the import system to get the goods they crave from foreign countries, such as electronics and coffee. Manufacturers and farmers depend on the export system to get U.S. made or grown goods to foreign consumers. To relieve pressure and congestion at traditional port sites, inland ports were created. Inland port authorities are legislative bodies charged with overseeing the functions and duties of inland ports.

Inland Ports

Inland ports are facilities located away from coastal, air and land borders. They vary by exact type according to location. Their primary purposes are to facilitate trade by providing value-added services for goods moving through the ports; to clear incoming cargo through customs; and to speed goods through distribution centers and to final consumers.

Location

Inland ports are located across the United States. According to the U.S. Commerce Statistics Center, the top 10 U.S. inland ports are located in Huntington, West Virginia; St. Louis, Missouri; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Paul, Minnesota; Louisville, Kentucky; Mount Vernon, Indiana; Tulsa/Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma and Guntersville, Alabama. The top 10 ports are selected based on trip ton-miles.

Inland Port Authority

Inland port authorities are charged with overseeing the activities of the inland port. The American Association of Port Authorities defines several specific roles of port authorities. They serve as catalysts for economic growth. They are responsible for promoting the commerce of the facility they serve and to develop and manage plans in support of promotional efforts. Inland port authorities are created by enactments of state governments.

There are several different types of inland ports and inland port authorities may have charge over more than just one. Rob Harrison, from the University of Texas at Austin, identifies the different types of inland ports: air cargo inland ports, maritime feeder inland ports, trade and transportation centers and inland waterway ports. Each port type has a specific purpose. For example, a maritime feeder inland port increases the capacity of an existing seaport by providing a location where goods can be consolidated and deconsolidated before continuing on in the supply chain.

Specific Duties

An example of the specific duties of an inland port authority is found in a bill proposed in the State of Texas. In the proposed bill, the general duties of the inland port authority include exercising "public and essential governmental functions" with the authority needed for the purpose of accomplishing the goals set forth in the legislation. In addition, the inland port authority has the power and authority to make improvements on the facility, including those that fall under "construct, acquire, lease improve, enlarge, extend, repair, maintain, replace, develop or operate" categories. To make port improvements, the inland port authority has the power to issue bonds and to levy and collect "ad valorem taxes" as long as the tax is approved in an election by qualified voters living in the boundaries in which the authority operates.

Major Challenges

In a post 9-11 world, inland port authorities face many of the same security challenges as agencies located at traditional border sites. Other challenges include meeting the need for additional inland ports in the United States and the logistics, environmental and financing aspects related to the expansion needs.

Why on earth would they open a store in Gary? They have stores on the periphery of Gary, without having to deal with all the associated problems. Gary is not worthy of even a Walmart.

Chatham is not a bad neighborhood in Chicago. It's on the south side .... not the worst, not the best. Mostly lower middle class. The median household income within 5 miles of the store is $45,000, which is much higher than Gary's or Hammonds. It also has 294,000 households within 5 miles which is greater than Gary.

The Chatham Market development already has a Lowes, an Aldi's and a number of other national chains. It is a very large 5 block long development.

Chicago does not have a single Walmart in the City limits because of the Council.

Believe it or not, it's also the reason that the Walmart in Robertsdale has gone nowhere. The reason for the Walmart in Robertsdale had nothing to do with Hammond, and everything to do with the South Side of Chicago. The same development company (Tartan) is behind both projects.

Like you said there is no reason to put one in Gary and the strategic location of the ones in the region work for me.

We all travel to get the savings I know many people who travel from Lowell Indiana to shop. The people of Gary don't have special privileges.

My sister who likes to shop and tens of thousands more like her have left Gary to be close to the stores.

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From midtown Gary 46407 distance to


Walmart Supercenter Store #1618
2936 East 79Th Avenue
Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 947-1309
7.56 miles


Walmart Store #2818
1828 165Th Street
Hammond, IN 46320
(219) 989-0258
7.83 miles




Walmart Supercenter Store #2544
6087 U.S. Highway 6
Portage, IN 46368
(219) 759-5900
8.59 miles


Walmart Store #1576
1555 Us Highway 41
Schererville, IN 46375
(219) 865-6309
9.14 miles




Walmart Store #2817
16771 Torrence Avenue
Lansing, IL 60438
(708) 474-6405
11.42 miles



Walmart Supercenter Store #1479
2400 Morthland Dr
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 465-2799
14.23 miles


Walmart Store #5404
103 Holbrook Road
Glenwood, IL 60425
(708) 755-1660
15.72 miles


Walmart Supercenter Store #5486
4005 West 167Th Street
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
(708) 647-1689
19.70 miles


Walmart Store #5485
2500 W 95Th St
Evergreen Park, IL 60805
(708) 229-0611
20.68 miles

Walmart Store #3601
4700 135Th St
Crestwood, IL 60445
(708) 489-5547
21.22 miles



Walmart Store #1497
21410 South Cicero Avenue
Matteson, IL 60443
(708) 503-0440
21.53 miles


Walmart Supercenter Store #1487
5780 Franklin St
Michigan City, IN 46360
(219) 879-3620
23.67 miles


Walmart Store #1938
7050 South Cicero Avenue
Bedford Park, IL 60638
(708) 496-0230
24.84 miles


Walmart Store #1779
10260 South Harlem Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
(708) 499-2088
25.65 miles


Walmart Store #1556
9245 159Th Street
Orland Hills, IL 60477
(708) 349-4300
26.42 miles



Walmart Store #1892
9450 Joliet Rd
Hodgkins, IL 60525
(708) 387-2090
30.57 miles


Walmart Store #5402
4650 West North Ave
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 252-7465
31.19 miles


Walmart Store #2204
1300 Des Plaines Aveue
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 771-2270
31.69 miles


Walmart Supercenter Store #2276
333 Boyd Blvd
La Porte, IN 46350
(219) 325-3130
33.29 miles


Walmart Store #2816
5630 Touhy Avenue
Niles, IL 60714
(847) 647-8641
37.54 miles

Yes there are many grocery stores in Gary and the County Market has reopened and had a sale last week that put Walmart to shame.

I have spent over $2,000 on my Walmart card since December 2009 and have a balance under $300.00

The only place close that has a auto center is in Portage and I will be going there this fall for a set of new tires.

The world has changed and I'm not fighting it. I want to live as comfortable as possible.

There is a need for mass transportation. The Gary buses run to Walmart in Hobart and many use it to go shopping there and Costco and to go to work.

I think anybody should be able to work at the Walmart facilities but you have to go inside the store to put in your application on there computer in the back of the store and that should keep the people away who say the will never step a foot into Walmart from ever being considered for employment.

It makes no sense for Walmart to put a store there though. People from outside Gary will not travel there and there are already a number of existing stores within 5 to 10 miles.

Why would Walmart take a hit on sales to a very low income demographic,coupled with the increased theft losses? It isn't about whether low income people can shop, it's about whether a company can make a profit while they can shop.

Hammond's Walmart is by far one of the worst that I have been in. It is the dirtiest and most disorganized by far.

And Gary has one large supermarket that has been able to hold on. How many does a smaller Hammond have? East Chicago even has 2 at 1/3 their size.