Mayor Melton announces $25,000 Lifeline grants for Gary small businesses

Mayor Eddie D. Melton announced a new Lifeline Grant program to help Gary small businesses, saying the City and the Hard Rock Casino are matching funds to provide awards of up to $25,000. “We’re going to be giving up to $25,000 to our small businesses that are located in the city of Gary,” Melton said, and he urged business owners to apply at www.gary.gov/lifeeline-grant before the June 1, 2026 deadline.

Why it matters: The mayor framed the program as a tool to support businesses that “have been struggling…for quite some time” and to help revitalize neighborhoods. The grant announcement was paired with summer event promotions; Melton encouraged residents to engage with city offerings while noting the application and economic‑development contacts for follow‑up.

Details and next steps: Melton directed interested businesses to the city’s economic development department and the online application. The mayor said the Hard Rock Casino has committed matching dollars; the transcript records the match but does not specify the total program budget, eligibility criteria beyond being located in Gary, or the grant selection process. Those specifics were not provided in the meeting record and are listed as not specified. City staff are the point of contact for application questions and confirmation of award details.

What to watch: Staff or the mayor’s office should publish the program guidelines and award allocations; the application deadline referenced in the meeting record is June 1, 2026. No questions from the board were recorded during this announcement segment.