Federal Grant Announcement for the City of Gary to Support the Development of a National Civil Rights Hall of Fame

City-of-GaryWashington, DC - Congressman Visclosky and the City of Gary announced today that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded a grant to the City of Gary to support the development of a National Civil Rights Hall of Fame facility.

Specifically, the $59,500 grant will support the development of a feasibility study and business plan to establish a National Civil Rights Hall of Fame facility and headquarters for the National Civil Rights Institute and Hall of Fame, Inc., in the City of Gary. The study will aim to bring together the public and private sectors in the community in order to support and strengthen the regional economy.

Last year, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson sponsored a resolution that supported the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame Board in their quest to receive this EDA grant. The Gary Common Council unanimously approved the resolution and this allowed the City to contribute the matching dollar requirement.

Congressman Pete Visclosky stated, “I commend Mayor Freeman-Wilson and the City of Gary for successfully securing this federal grant. As we near the 50th Anniversary of the election of Richard Hatcher as Mayor of Gary, who, along with Mayor Carl Stokes of Cleveland, has the honor of being one of our country’s first African-American mayors of a city with more than 100,000 people, I deeply appreciate the City’s unrelenting initiative to establish this historical and significant facility. It will undoubtedly build upon the foundational economic attractions of Gary and draw additional visitors and businesses to our region.”

City of Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson stated, “I am excited about the opportunity to add the City’s voice to planning the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame. It is just the right fit for Gary and a fitting tribute to Mayor Hatcher’s legacy. Over the past five years, we have had numerous discussions about the project and have continued to work with Board members through our Department of Commerce. Receiving this grant is huge. I congratulate Mayor Hatcher and the Board, the Gary team, and I thank Congressman Pete Visclosky for his continued support.”

National Civil Rights Institute and Hall of Fame Board Member Lamar Taylor stated, “The President and Founder, Richard G. Hatcher, Board members, and the executive committee appreciate and thank Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Congressman Pete Visclosky, and the Economic Development Administration for their efforts in getting this feasibility study grant approved. We are hopeful that this grant will allow us to continue to move forward and build the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame.”

For additional information on the EDA, click here.