The city of Gary will be the home of the new Lake County Convention Center.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners made the announcement May 21. The courtroom was packed with eager onlookers.

“This is a historic and monumental day for Gary and all of Lake County,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton after the announcement. “Our vision has always been about creating strong economic opportunities for our community.”

Lake County Councilman Ron Brewer (D-2nd) agreed that the casino will benefit more than Gary.

“To see something of this magnitude being built on the north side of Indiana is huge,” Brewer said in a press release.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Bill 434 on May 4, 2023. The bill allows for a Lake County convention center and a metro center station fund in Gary. Melton authored the bill during his last session as a state senator. He served in the state Senate from 2016 through 2023. He become Gary's mayor in 2023.

The proposed 145,000-square-foot facility will be constructed near Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. It will include a hotel with about 300 rooms.

“This is a tremendous moment for Lake County,” said President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana Matt Schuffert in a press release. “We are honored to be selected and grateful for everyone who stood with us throughout this bid process. Together, we have the chance to create a world-class destination that generates economic opportunity, creates jobs, drives tourism and supports local businesses.”

Hard Rock committed $30 million over 20 years to the project. Other funding will come through funds from gaming and state matching funds set aside by Senate Bill 434.

The next phase of the project will focus on construction and hiring hundreds of local works to build the entertainment facility. AECOM designed Gary's proposed convention center.

“With the project awarded, we are shifting into delivery mode, prioritizing a successful execution plan,” said Jeannette Peruchini, managing principal at AECOM. “Our team is ready to hit the ground running to expedite the project, allowing Lake County to benefit from the new convention center.”

AECOM expects to start construction later this year.

“With the construction and all the trades involved, every community throughout the Region is going to be touched. We will need all hands on deck to get this done,” Brewer said.

Gary's proposal was among two under consideration by the Lake County Board of Commissioners. Hobart's plan was the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority's top pick for the new convention center.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. had expressed reservations about both locations for the convention center. The city sent a resolution to the board, asking members not to make a decision.

“I think the commissioners did a great job with executing, taking their time and not being pressured by public or any political gain to do the right thing,” Brewer said. “I think today they did the right thing.”

But Melton credited the Gary community with the bid's win.

“The real heroes are the people of Gary and Northwest Indiana,” he said. “To everyone who called commissioners, wrote letters, attended meetings, signed petitions and spread our message — thank you. To our Common Council, elected officials, unions, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders who stood with us — your support proved what's possible when we unite. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.”

The convention center already has commitments from several events, including the DJX Show, National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers' annual convention, Playa Bowls' Franchisee GM Summit, and the Professional Fire Fighters Union of Indiana's annual three-day convention.

At least two more hotels are in development, along with restaurants and possible strip shopping centers, according to the Lake County Council.