Ward 5 Representative
The Hobart/Merrillville Joint Municipal Task Force had its inaugural meeting Wednesday, with officials from the two communities and the Indiana Department of Transportation focused on collaboration, regional growth, and improved public services.Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun and Merrillville Town Council President Rick Bella in February announced the establishment of the task force as an effort to... Continue Reading →
At our first meeting in March, the Town Council had the pleasure of meeting a truly inspiring young Merrillville resident, Myles Mosby. His mother, Tiffany, reached out to share his story—one that’s all about determination, big dreams, and making waves (literally!). Myles, an 11-year-old swimmer with Olympic aspirations, has been training hard despite the challenges of... Continue Reading →
Town Tax Talk - April 10th The Merrillville Town Council will host another Town Tax Talk scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Mike Anderson Event Center, 6600 Broadway, in Merrillville, Indiana, at 6:30 p.m. The program will include presentations by Spencer Summers, Economic Development Director for the Northwest Indiana Forum, and Jim Higgins,... Continue Reading →
The Merrillville Police Department's mission to serve and protect has reached new heights. Lawrence B. Jones of FOX & Friends has become Merrillville's first auxiliary officer. Jones was sworn in during Tuesday's Town Council meeting. Jones is known for his signature storytelling and "man-on-the-street" segments, which focus on the impact of various issues on local communities.... Continue Reading →
Hobart, IN & Merrillville, IN – In a collaborative effort to address pressing infrastructure and transit concerns, Mayor Josh Huddlestun of Hobart and Town Council President Rick Bella of Merrillville have announced a proposal for a Joint Municipal Task Force to enhance regional connectivity and economic growth in Northwest Indiana.The initiative addresses growing concerns about... Continue Reading →
I wanted to share this fascinating and insightful article by Steve Muenstermann, one of our Data Center Citizen Advisory Committee members. He has been a wealth of knowledge for our committee. Steve is the CEO & BD Leader at his company Cloudbusters, located in Crown Point.Today, data centers have evolved significantly from their early iterations.... Continue Reading →
Councilman Rick Bella will serve his sixth consecutive year as President of the Merrillville Town Council, with Rhonda Neal continuing as Vice President. This stability in leadership has been crucial in guiding Merrillville, a community of 36,500 residents in northwest Indiana, through unprecedented growth. Bella, along with other council leaders such as Redevelopment Commission President... Continue Reading →
Next week, the Data Center Citizens Advisory Committee will hear from two more interested developers who will present their ideas for building data centers in Merrillville. One would be located in the Ameriplex Business Park off of 93rd Ave and Broadway, the other in the far southeast area of Merrillville in the panhandle area. The... Continue Reading →
Unexpected capital expenses can strain any budget. Still, thanks to the assistance of U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, the Merrillville Police Department secured nearly $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to upgrade vital police radio equipment.Police Chief Kosta Nuses said the department’s former radios were well past their service life, and repair bills were becoming... Continue Reading →
There are many reasons why the Town of Merrillville should support the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana. Let me list just a few here: Community InvestmentBy funding a Boys and Girls Club, the town is investing in its human capital. The club provides a safe environment for children and teens to develop... Continue Reading →