Northwest Indiana Forum

What Northwest Indiana Forum does

The Northwest Indiana Forum is a privately held, nonprofit regional economic development organization founded in 1992 and headquartered in Portage, Indiana. It serves as the unified voice for the seven-county Northwest Indiana region (Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, and Starke), a market of over 870,000 residents and a $47 billion economy, the second largest in Indiana. The Forum's core product is the IGNITE the Region strategic plan, which integrates business development, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, talent, placemaking, and arts and culture across five strategic pillars. The plan was originally released in 2018 and updated in 2025 to formally integrate arts, culture, tourism, and sustainability pillars.

The Forum operates a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified software product. These include the NWI Data Facts informational platform for data center education, site selection services backed by the ZoomProspector property search tool, READI grant program administration (READI 1.0 assembled over $700 million in projects from a $50 million state ask; READI 2.0 brings $250 million statewide through Lilly Endowment), entrepreneur resource referral (funding, mentoring, co-working), workforce development in partnership with the Center for Workforce Innovations, and arts & culture strategy. The Forum does not develop proprietary technology; its "platform" is the coalition itself, anchored by a small leadership team of 7+ staff including President & CEO Heather Ennis.

The business model is membership-based: over 160 investor organizations pay tiered annual subscriptions based on business category and size (corporations segmented by revenue band from $5M and below up to $1B+, plus separate tiers for counties, hospitals, professional service firms, real estate/construction, chambers, non-profits, local EDCs, and banks). Revenue is supplemented by grants (notably READI awards routed through state agencies) and event/marketing sponsorships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Customers are two-sided: investor members who fund the coalition, and external enterprises/municipalities that benefit from the Forum's site selection, advocacy, and project facilitation services. Distribution is direct sales-led and event-driven, supported by websites, social media, and earned media coverage.

Name

Northwest Indiana Forum

Legal name

Northwest Indiana Forum

Website

https://nwiforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Northwest Indiana Forum is a nonprofit regional economic development organization founded in 1992, uniting 160+ investor organizations across seven counties to drive business attraction, retention, expansion, and workforce development through the IGNITE the Region strategic plan and READI grant programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Economic Development

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Partner, Channel & Alliance Summits (THAHAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits (THAHAMAH), Meeting & Conference Planning & Coordination (HSACADAA)

Keywords

• Regional economic development
• Site selection services
• Business attraction support
• Workforce development coordination
• Regional strategic planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Portage

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions: The Northwest Indiana Forum is funded by investor contributions from over 160 member organizations. Investment levels are based upon business category and size. Membership provides access to economic development services, networking events, and regional advocacy.
2. Grants: The organization receives grant funding to support regional initiatives including the READI (Regional Economic Development Initiative) program and other economic development projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Northwest Indiana Forum is a regional economic development organization that drives business attraction, retention, and expansion across the seven-county Northwest Indiana region. It sells annual memberships to corporations, municipalities, hospitals, and other organizations, and delivers services including site selection assistance, grant administration (READI), workforce development coordination, advocacy, and convening of regional stakeholders through events and the IGNITE the Region strategic plan.

Product overview

The Northwest Indiana Forum is a nonprofit regional economic development organization that serves as the primary resource for business attraction, retention, and expansion in Northwest Indiana. Rather than a unified software product, the organization offers a portfolio of programs and services including: IGNITE the Region (the regional economic development strategic plan), NWI Data Facts (an informational resource on data centers), READI Grant assistance, Site Selection Services (powered by ZoomProspector), Business Development & Marketing support, Entrepreneur Resources (funding, mentoring, co-working network), Workforce Development, and Arts & Culture Strategy. These programs work together to promote economic growth across the seven-county region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IGNITE the Region Plan Comprehensive regional economic development strategic plan for the seven-county Northwest Indiana region (Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, and Starke) addressing business development, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, talent, placemaking, and arts and culture through five strategic pillars.
• Site Selection Services Site selection assistance matching businesses with available properties in Northwest Indiana. Dedicated staff research sites to suit business criteria and respond with appropriate and available properties via phone, email, or the ZoomProspector site and building search portal.
• READI Grant Program Assistance Administration and oversight of the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant program for Northwest Indiana. READI 1.0 generated $700+ million in regional projects from a $50 million request; READI 2.0 includes $250 million statewide with $185 million for blight reduction and $65 million for arts and culture.
• Workforce Development Program Workforce initiatives connecting employers with talent through sector partnerships, education institution collaboration, and workforce training programs, managed in partnership with the Center for Workforce Innovations.
• Entrepreneur Resources Network Network connecting entrepreneurs and small businesses with funding sources (revolving loan funds, SBA loans, microloans), mentoring services (ISBDC, SCORE, BizHub), co-working spaces, and intellectual property resources.
• Business Development & Marketing Services Economic development services focused on attracting, retaining, and expanding business investment and jobs in Northwest Indiana through regional coordination, marketing, and stakeholder engagement.
• Arts & Culture Strategy Regional arts and culture initiative integrated into the IGNITE plan, focusing on heritage preservation, arts district development, storytelling, and marquee venue support. Part of the READI 2.0 Arts & Culture Initiative.
• NWI Childcare Strategy Regional childcare strategy supporting workforce participation and family-forward quality of life in Northwest Indiana, including the Family Forward NWI WORKbook resource.

Quantifiable outcome

• $700+ million in projects assembled through READI Grant plan
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency providing incentives, business attraction, and expansion support. The Forum collaborates with IEDC on major projects including the READI grants and business recruitment efforts.
• Norfolk SoutherncoreOthersClass I freight railroad serving the region. Northwest Indiana has access to all Class I railroads through the Chicago network.
• Canadian NationalcoreOthersClass I freight railroad serving the region as part of Chicago network.
• CSXcoreOthersClass I freight railroad with mainlines among the most heavily traveled in the country serving Northwest Indiana.
• Port of Indiana-Burns HarborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeepwater port providing ocean access via St. Lawrence Seaway to Great Lakes. Handles international ships, supports Great Lakes bulk carriers up to 1,000 feet, and contains Foreign Trade Zone.
• Gary/Chicago International AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull-service airport 25 miles from downtown Chicago with $174.1 million runway expansion completed in 2015, main runway lengthened to 8,900 feet.
• NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor utility provider serving 1.4 million customers. Partnered on major projects including Amazon data center energy agreement worth $1 billion in customer savings.
• South Shore Line (NICTD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommuter rail connecting Northwest Indiana to Chicago. Projects include Double Track NWI and West Lake Corridor expansion.
• Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState authority partnering in 'heavy lifting' to develop infrastructure for Northwest Indiana economic vibrancy. Manages EPA Brownfield Site Assessment grants.
• Center for Workforce InnovationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner providing occupational outlook data, labor market highlights, and employer workforce resources.
• Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council of local governments providing forum for addressing regional transportation, environment, and economic development issues. Administers LaPorte County Revolving Loan Fund.
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)coreOthersState regulatory agency for environmental compliance. The Forum helps companies navigate environmental permitting processes.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VcoreOthersFederal regulatory agency for environmental protection. Forum facilitates connections for brownfield redevelopment and environmental compliance.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago DistrictminorOthersFederal agency involved in infrastructure and waterway projects including maritime transportation in Inland Waterway System.
• Purdue University NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional university providing workforce development, Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation, and Society of Innovators program.
• Indiana University NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional campus providing Small Business Institute consulting services and talent pipeline.
• Ivy Tech Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college providing workforce training programs including Data Center Operations and Fiber Optic Technician Programs.
• Valparaiso UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional university ranked #15 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. Home to Innovation Hub for entrepreneurship.
• Northwest ISBDC (Small Business Development Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides no-cost business counseling, resources, and workshops for entrepreneurs and business owners in the seven-county area.
• SCORE Northwest IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free and confidential one-on-one business counseling and workshops for startups and seasoned small business owners.
• Society of Innovators of Purdue NorthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram cultivating creativity and innovation by developing, connecting and championing innovators across seven counties.
• Lake County Economic Alliance (LCEA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounty-level economic development organization partnering on business attraction and workforce initiatives.
• LEAP (La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCounty-level economic development organization for La Porte County.
• One RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional organization focused on growing population, attracting and retaining talent, and increasing household income in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.
• Calumet CollaborativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyzes innovative partnerships between Illinois and Indiana stakeholders for transformative sustainable development.
• Legacy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation and leading philanthropic partner serving Lake County, Indiana since 1992.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company investing $15 billion in Northwest Indiana data centers, creating 1,100 jobs. Partnered with NIPSCO on innovative energy agreement.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company with data center projects in Northwest Indiana, providing high-skilled jobs and infrastructure investment.
• NWI Building and Construction Trades CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLabor organization representing construction workers for major infrastructure and data center projects.
• Digital Crossroads of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional organization focused on digital infrastructure, broadband development, and smart technology initiatives.
• Quantum CorridorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional initiative focused on quantum computing infrastructure and technology development in Northwest Indiana.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation: Denver regional EDC that markets the metro to relocating and expanding employers through data-driven site selection and coalition advocacy. Directly comparable in scale, function, and investor-membership structure to NWI Forum.
• Greater Phoenix Economic Council: Phoenix metro's regional economic development organization providing site selection, workforce, and capital attraction services funded by corporate and public investors. Strong analog to NWI Forum's investor-funded, multi-county model.
• Greater Houston Partnership: Houston region's primary business and economic development organization, offering site selection, advocacy, and convening services to a member-driven coalition. Closely mirrors NWI Forum's investor-membership model and regional convening role.
• Detroit Regional Partnership: Multi-county regional economic development organization for Southeast Michigan, focused on attracting investment to a legacy manufacturing region undergoing transformation. Highly comparable to NWI Forum's industrial-base, multi-county, advocacy-driven model.
• Allegheny Conference on Community Development: Pittsburgh-based public-private partnership advancing regional economic competitiveness through infrastructure, workforce, and business attraction initiatives. Comparable to NWI Forum as a multi-county economic development coalition with a strategic plan framework.
• Greater Indianapolis Partnership: Indianapolis-based regional economic development organization that convenes business, government, and civic leaders to drive investment and talent attraction in central Indiana. Directly comparable to NWI Forum as a multi-county EDC coalition funded by investor dues and grants.
• Team NEO (Northeast Ohio): Cleveland-based regional economic development organization serving a 22-county Northeast Ohio footprint, focused on business attraction, retention, and growth. Comparable to NWI Forum as a multi-county, investor-supported EDC.
• Tampa Bay Economic Development Council: Regional EDC serving the Tampa Bay area with site selection, workforce, and investor relations services funded by private and public partners. Mirrors NWI Forum's coalition model and project-pipeline approach.

Broad incumbents

• Greater Cincinnati Chamber: Larger, more established regional chamber that combines economic development with broader civic and small-business support across the Cincinnati tri-state region. Comparable to NWI Forum in mission but operates at greater scale and broader scope.

Regional players

• Charlotte Regional Business Alliance: Charlotte-region business alliance driving economic and community development across the Carolinas. Comparable in investor coalition and regional strategy approach, but operates in a different geography with a more services-oriented economy than NWI Forum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NWIForum
• Facebookfacebook.com/nwiforum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northwest-indiana-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Indiana Forum