American casino operator Hard Rock International, via its Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana property, is to make a cash donation of $3 million so as to help the city of Gary, Indiana eliminate blight and stimulate economic growth.

Opened in late-May of 2021, the single-story Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana features an 80,000 sq ft casino location hosting a selection of some 350 slots alongside approximately 45 gaming tables. 

The $300 million facility situated on the south side of Indiana’s eleventh largest city furthermore accommodates a sportsbook, five restaurants, and a retail shop, as well as the 1,954-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment space.

Exciting Endowment

The President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Matt Schuffert, announced the coming bequest as part of  press conference, also attended by Gary Mayor Eddie Melton. 

The casino executive explained the cash is to be given to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and utilized to help eliminate blight around the host city’s downtown Broadway Corridor.

“Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana is pleased to support Mayor Melton's mission to improve the economic development of the city of Gary by demolishing the blighted properties that currently stand in the way,” Schuffert said. 

“Giving back is core to the Hard Rock brand and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has been making good on that mission since we opened our doors in Gary in 2021.”

Proactive Process

Melton authored legislation in 2022 while serving as a member of the Indiana State Senate that will see Gary receive a pair of economic development grants altogether worth $6 million should it manage to secure the same amount of cash from private sources. 

This money is due to begin rolling in later this year, while the 43-year-old mayor described Hard Rock International’s contribution as an important part of ‘planting seeds of hope and growth for our downtown’.

“This catalytic donation from Hard Rock International marks a new chapter in Gary's story, one where we begin to turn the page on blight and write our future,” Melton said. 

“A future in which Gary residents see real change and feel a renewed sense of pride in our downtown Broadway Corridor.”

Continuing Commitment

The President and Chief Executive Officer for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, Sherri Ziller, was also present at press conference alongside Gary Common Council President Tai Adkins. 

Schuffert asserted that this attendance confirmed the importance of Hard Rock International’s ‘All Is One’ corporate motto while underscoring the significance of cooperation in helping to bring more investment to Gary and the wider region.

“Our announcement of Hard Rock International's transfer of $3 million dollars to help support the city's contributions to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority's blighted property demolition fund confirms our mission of ‘All Is One', which has been Hard Rock International's motto throughout local and global communities since 1971,” Schuffert said.