Microsoft staff mark groundbreaking; redevelopment commission thanked for project support

Bert Cook, executive director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership, told the La Porte City Redevelopment Commission on June 24 that the city last week held a groundbreaking for the Microsoft project and that Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, attended to mark the milestone. "We had the absolute pleasure of celebrating the groundbreaking for the Microsoft project here in LaPorte," Cook said.

Clotilde LaBroi, director of government affairs infrastructure for Microsoft, addressed the commission and thanked members for their long-term support. "We just want to thank the board for all of the things that you've done to support us through the many years that we worked with you," LaBroi said, adding that Microsoft looks forward to continuing its partnership with the city.

Cook said site work has been ongoing for months and that the Walsh Group is the general contractor; he said vertical construction is expected to begin within about a month. Commissioners and Microsoft staff posed for photographs at the meeting and the commission received a momento from Microsoft. Chair Brian Chulick noted the commission's role in supporting the project over roughly four years of planning.

The remarks were delivered during the meeting's public-comment portion and were not the subject of a formal vote. Commission members did not raise objections during the presentation. The commission proceeded to its regular agenda items after the presentation.