Job creation and worker training are especially important in northwest Indiana. The area's industrial base made something of a comeback in the 1990s after a number of lean decades, but it still faces problems, particularly in maintaining a viable industrial work force. Members of the consortium occupying WorkOne Center will include the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, Portage Adult Education, Discovery Alliance, Absolute Solutions, Goodwill Industries and Opportunity Industries.

"The two facilities will (help) lay the foundation for the expanded development of the work force in northwest Indiana, serving the Chicago marketplace," says Tim Healy, senior vice president of development for Holladay.

The location of these organizations in the Ameriplex development also will be good for the development itself. "Other businesses locating to the park will have available training facilities to access labor and meet their specific educational needs," Healy adds.