Rob Thorgren, who has led the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission (RDC) for the past decade, emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing urban renewal and economic vitality in Valparaiso. As president of both the RDC and Thorgren Tool & Molding, Inc., he brings a dual perspective as a civic leader and long-time local business owner. The RDC, established in 1993, focuses on eliminating urban decay, expanding employment opportunities, and broadening the city’s tax revenue through targeted development initiatives funded by grants and tax increment financing.
A key ally in these efforts is the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation (VEDC), a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to fostering business growth and attracting investment. Thorgren highlights how the VEDC plays a preliminary role in evaluating proposed projects, ensuring they align with current community needs before they reach the RDC. This collaborative vetting process streamlines approvals and enhances project outcomes by incorporating diverse viewpoints.
Joint accomplishments include the upscale St. Paul Square residential development and the premium Vale View apartment complex. One standout transformation involved repurposing the abandoned American Factory into the Valparaiso branch of Journeyman Distillery, now a popular destination for entertainment and tourism just two years after opening.
Thorgren notes that such cooperation accelerates progress on initiatives that benefit the public. He also reflects on his family’s manufacturing business, founded in 1946 and now in its fourth generation, as a testament to Valparaiso’s enduring economic potential. From this vantage point, he affirms strong support for the VEDC’s mission, stating that its goals are inherently aligned with those of local enterprises.
“The more stakeholders involved in reviewing development plans, the richer the dialogue and the better the results for the entire community,” Thorgren said. “Valparaiso’s strength lies in its ability to unite different sectors toward shared prosperity.”
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Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission President Rob Thorgren on collaborationing with the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation
Since it was first formed in 1993, the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission (RDC) has worked to advance the City of Valparaiso through the planning and execution of development projects throughout the community. It uses grant funding and tax increment funds to support these projects. The RDC often works hand-in-hand with the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) on numerous projects throughout the city. The VEDC addresses the city’s business-related issues and promotes economic growth in Valparaiso by fostering key community partnerships and supporting investment in the city.
Rob Thorgren, president of the RDC and of Thorgren Tool & Molding, Inc., has helmed the RDC for the past 10 years. He has seen firsthand how Valparaiso has benefited from the partnership between the RDC and VEDC.
“The RDC’s purpose is essentially to remove blight, create jobs, and increase the city’s tax base,” Thorgren said. “The VEDC often vets projects before they are even brought to the RDC. They make sure that every project they bring to us is one that fits what Valpo needs at the moment. The VEDC is made up of volunteers who come from all different walks of life, and they are each committed to doing what’s best for Valpo as a whole.”
The two entities have collaborated on a number of significant redevelopment projects throughout Valparaiso over the years. These include the high-end St. Paul Square housing development and the luxurious Vale View apartments. One of the most prominent projects the two organizations collaborated on was the transformation of the derelict American Factory into Journeyman Distillery’s Valparaiso location, which has become a highly sought-after entertainment venue in the two short years since it opened.
“Valpo is fortunate to have so many opportunities for collaboration,” Thorgren said. “When the VEDC vets projects and assists either the city or the RDC in ushering them through, these community-enhancing projects can be executed much faster. The more entities reviewing and discussing proposed projects, the more perspectives are brought into the conversation. That results in a better outcome for the city as a whole.“
Thorgren Tool & Molding, the company that Thorgren has run for almost 30 years, was founded in 1946 by Thorgren’s great-grandfather and his two sons. The business has now been passed down through four generations and may soon pass to the fifth. Throughout its nearly 80-year history, this Valpo-grown business has remained committed to producing top-quality air-movement products to customers in the local community and beyond.
Thorgren can also appreciate the VEDC’s value to the community from the perspective of Valparaiso’s native and a local business owner.
“We at Thorgren Tooling and Molding have always known that Valpo has a lot of potential, and we find it exciting,” Thorgren said. “The VEDC has always wanted what’s best for Valpo as a whole, so it’s not even a question of whether we would support it or not. We are proud to be a member of the VEDC and to support its work.”