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Board approves MOU with workforce nonprofit to develop Carrie Gosch 'Opportunity Collaborative'
Summary
Trustees approved an MOU with Career/Workforce Innovation partners after a presentation from NWI Works and consultants on plans for a multi‑tenant workforce hub at the former Carrie Gosch site; phase 1 environmental and a building assessment were reported as next steps.
The School City of East Chicago board voted unanimously on March 11 to approve an MOU with Career/Workforce Innovation partners to advance planning for an “Opportunity Collaborative” at the Carrie Gosch facility, a workforce and community hub presented by regional nonprofit NWI Works.
Trustee Joel Rodriguez made the motion to approve item 5.02; Trustee Jesse Gomez seconded and the roll call vote was 5‑0 in favor.
A representative for NWI Works and a consultant from Insight Strategic Concepts told the board they are moving toward a phase‑1 environmental study and a full building assessment to inform capital needs and programming. The presenters said they have budgeted an initial $6,000,000 for rearranging and outfitting the building, and that the overall project budget could exceed $9,000,000. They described major prospective tenants and services to be co‑located, including employer‑driven adult training, unified case management and wraparound services for families.
“We have just, we're in the process of ordering a phase 1 environmental on the property, so that we can meet the requirements of many of the tenants who would be within the facility,” the presenter said. The building assessment was expected by mid‑April, and the environmental study was estimated at about five weeks.
Consultants named specific prospective tenants and partners who are already engaged in similar regional hubs and are participating in planning here: Center for Workforce Innovations (CWI), Goodwill, United Way, NOVA (youth programs), Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA. The team said Geminis (a prospective tenant) is planning for 15,000–18,000 square feet of program space and that kitchen/culinary training, an event/assembly area and a makerspace are among proposed uses.
Presenters warned of a delayed REDI grant process that had slowed seed funding and said they are expanding fundraising efforts while awaiting decisions on state/regional allocations. They also described the typical long‑term lease structure envisioned for a community hub — often multi‑decade agreements to support sustainability and capital amortization.
Board members asked about prior environmental work on the property and utility cost responsibilities; presenters said they did not have all historical documentation on hand and that environmental reports older than six months would need to be refreshed. Trustees requested continued updates to the planning team and that the lead nonprofit return with firmer cost estimates once the assessment and phase‑1 environmental are complete.
