Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson released the following statement today regarding the status of the 2018 Gary Air Show. Planning for the 2019 Air Show begins in June.
“At the beginning of 2018, I expressed our intentions to get our finances right. Specifically, I talked about the fact that we would actively cultivate opportunities to increase our assessed valuation while looking at every dollar. This has been the primary focus of our work this year. While we are developing our long term financial recovery plan, we have frozen spending and hiring and reduced spending while embracing opportunities to attract new businesses to the table. This has required focus, discipline and sacrifice. We know that the short-term difficulty will be rewarded with long-term benefits.
While the Gary Air Show is one of the city’s signature events, it is also a costly event. In past years when we have maximized sponsorship dollars, we have still been forced to expend city resources. For 2018, these expenditures are not consistent with our efforts to develop a sustainable financial plan. For these reasons, there will not be an Air Show for 2018. At the same time, we are actively engaged with a sponsor who will sponsor a 2019 show with zero costs to the city. With this announcement comes an announcement that we are forming a 2019 Air Show Committee. Those desiring to serve on the committee are asked to please indicate your willingness to volunteer by emailing LaLosa Burns at [email protected] or by calling Ms. Burns at 219-881-1302.
The first meeting of this committee will be held on Tuesday, June 19, 2018, 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room at Gary City Hall.”
