The Politics of Disinvestment and Development in Gary, Indiana

For the last half century the city of Gary, Indiana, has been devastated by continued disinvestment. In 2005, the state of Indiana formed a Regional Development Authority (RDA) to attract investment to Northwest Indiana. This paper analyzes the state's approach of fighting disinvestment with this development plan in light of Gary's particular history. It shows why such development is unlikely to translate into jobs for Gary's impoverished residents, and will potentially widen the economic inequality gap in the region.