Hours: Monday -Friday 9am to 4pm 255 W 80th Place 219-769-8180 E-mail: geninq@merrillvillecoc.org Chamber Staff: Karla N. Ortegon Cheri Elser Wanda Postell-Terry |
WELCOME TO MERRILLVILLE AN EXCITING FUTURE Merrillville is the "downtown" of Northwest Indiana and has established its identity as a leader in leisure living and commercial-industrial development. Located in Lake County/Ross Township off of US 30 and I-65 (exit 253) the crossroads of Merrillville, IN boasts a long rich history, through not officially incorporated until 1971. The town was named after two successful brothers, William and Dudley Merrill. It was a stop-off point for wagon trains heading west. Sixteen trails radiated in all directions, just like today’s transportation system here. Merrillville is echoing its early history with a dynamic shout. With surprising energy, the town has rapidly left its rural beginnings to become a major regional center of commerce. Population:
The population of the town of Merrillville is 32,000 but easily doubles during the day as region-ites commute to jobs, shopping or visit one of our many dining establishments in town. We are 690 feet above sea level and approximately 32.5 sq. miles. The average range of temperature is 20 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The total average rainfall is 34.66 inches.
Housing:
The average sales price for an existing home is estimated at $123,000 with most new homes ranging from $148,000 to $207,000. Housing is 71% owner-occupied with ample apartment and rental housing available.
Education:
The Merrillville area has one senior high school, two middle-intermediate schools, five elementary schools and one Catholic elementary and high school. Enrollment exceeds 6,448 pupils in the Merrillville Community School system.
Emergency Services: The Police Department consists of 54 sworn officers, 9 dispatchers and 54 squads all with two-way communication systems. The department has several divisions including traffic, canine, ERT, D.A.R.E investigations and school resource officer (SRO).
The Fire Department, Ross Township Fire Service, consists of 1 department chief, 125 paid volunteers, 4 response districts, 7 engines, 3 ladder trucks, 3 grass rigs, 2 tankers and 7 sets of “jaw of life” along with an arson investigative unit, hazardous materials response team and the E.D.I.T.H House Fire Prevention Program.
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS), consists 2 response stations, 1 director, 12 full time paramedics and three Advanced Support (ALS) ambulances. The EMS is on call and available 24 hours a day. Recreation and Sports:
Merrillville has 20 community parks, three Township parks (Hidden Lake, Skinner, and Independence) and a Merrillville Pierce Middle School Planetarium. Within the Town are two golf courses one private and one public, and within a three mile radius there are another three public golf courses. One bowling alley, one public (township) pool, numerous theaters including the renown Star Plaza Theater, and the Lake County Deep River Park. Transportation and Infrastructure:
Road Travel: From US 30 & Broadway (SR 53) .5 mile to I-65, 1.5 miles to SR 55, 4 miles to US 231, 6.5 miles to I 80/94 & US 6, 7 miles to US 41, 9.5 miles to I-90/Toll Road, 10 miles West on US 30 to the Illinois state line from I-65 Air Travel: Distance to Chicago’s O’Hare international airport: 63 miles and Midway Airport 46 miles. Gary Chicago Airport – 12 miles Private Aircraft: Merrillville/Griffith Airport and Hobart Sky Ranch Rail: Canadian National Freight: Numerous commercial and private trucking firms serve our community United States Postal Service: 303 W. 80th Place, Merrillville IN - 219-769-2130 Media:
The TIMES and POST-TRIBUNE are published 7 days a week. The Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune and editions of USA Today and the Wall Street Journal are available in many locations throughout town.
Radio stations - WXRD 103.9 FM, WLJE 105.5 FM, WZVN 107.1 FM and WJOB 1230 AM carry local news and community programs.
We received television networks ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, FOX 32, WXFT 60 and WGBO 66. Cable television is provided by Comcast and SBC, our local television station is Lakeshore Public Television.
PurdueTechnologyCenter Purdue University, the Purdue Research Foundation, Congressman Visclosky and other local leaders recognized the need to embrace emerging markets and new technologies within the region. Spurring economic growth through growing new industries and creating employment opportunities, this effort exemplifies the vision, courage and determination that originally built Northwest Indiana.
The 48,000 square-foot technology incubator will house emerging and developing technologies in a state-of-the-art environment. Firms within the incubator will have administrative services, office equipment, conference and meeting facilities available to them. University research faculty and students will be available as resources.
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| © Merrillville Chamber of Commerce 2005 |
