With about one week remaining until the Lake County commissioners’ selection of a proposal for a convention center, the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority board has shown its support for the city’s bid.

“The Airport Authority has consistently focused on improving the regional economy, and the past decade of strong airport growth and development has served as a strong catalyst for future regional economic growth,” Chairman Pete Visclosky said in a statement. “The proposed Convention Center directly complements the efforts of GCIA, as it will provide further demand for air travel and a destination location for convention visitors and tourists alike.”

At its Wednesday meeting, the board unanimously passed a resolution showing their support for the joint bid between Gary and Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.

“The proposed convention center is situated at a strategic location with existing infrastructure, providing easy access via three major interstates, rail and transit lines, as well as international ports…” Commissioner Millicent Macon read from the resolution.

The commissioners are expected to choose a convention center location at its May 21 meeting, Matt Schuffert, president of the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, told the Post-Tribune. The city of Hobart also submitted a proposal for the Lake County Convention Center.

He’s optimistic that the joint bid with the city of Gary will be chosen. There are multiple strengths to their bid, Schuffert said, including its proposed location and Hard Rock’s experience as a hospitality and entertainment company.

“We’re excited to see which direction they take,” Schuffert said. “Either way, this is just a great opportunity for Lake County to get a much needed convention center that’s going to add a ton of economic boosts to this area and really showcase the great attractions and amenities that Lake County has.”

Gary’s proposal is for a 145,000-square-foot convention center and Hard Rock Hotel near the casino, according to Post-Tribune archives. The property would also have space for two additional hotels, including one REVERB by Hard Rock Hotel, and two restaurants and retail spaces.

A hotel has always been part of Hard Rock’s plans, Schuffert said, and if the proposal isn’t accepted, the company still plans to build a hotel, but he doesn’t know when.

With the convention center, $100 million of state matching grants will be made available to the winning bidder, Schuffert said.

If the city of Gary is chosen, they will put money from gaming taxes toward the convention center, and Hard Rock plans to put $1.5 million a year for 20 years toward the construction.

“It’s really a lot of great public (and) private investment being committed to this area, which will just further cement this area as Gary and Lake County’s entertainment district,” Schuffert said.

Hobart’s developer plans for the space surrounding the convention center to include an existing 70-unit veterans transition housing along with three other residential buildings that would contain 680 market-rate units; two 100-unit hotels; a 55-acre youth sports complex; mixed retail/office buildings; five multi-tenant, retail and restaurant buildings and five flex office warehouse buildings, among other amenities, according to Post-Tribune archives.

Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun previously told the Post-Tribune that the city was the top site location by Johnson Consulting, which is helping commissioners determine if convention center proposals are fiscally sound.

“I stand firm in the fact that the commissioners should choose the number one site based on the study to give us success out of the gate,” Huddlestun said.

Officials from the city of Hammond have asked commissioners not to select either location. A resolution passed by the Hammond council mentioned that Hard Rock has put Horseshoe Casino at an economic disadvantage, with revenues “steadily (decreasing)” in the last several years, according to Post-Tribune archives.

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland said he’s opposed to the convention center in Gary, attributing his opposition to money East Chicago has lost to Hard Rock. Copeland previously told the Post-Tribune he’d prefer the convention center in Hobart because it doesn’t have a casino to compete with East Chicago.

Schuffert respects leaders in both East Chicago and Hammond for their passion and beliefs to protect their cities, he said.

“We’re focusing on our proposals and the positives and benefits, which we think certainly outweigh any potential negatives,” Schuffert said. “But, they definitely have the right to feel how they feel.”

At the airport board meeting, member Trent McCain praised the board for its support of the convention center, especially on Hard Rock’s fourth anniversary in Gary.

“It’s been the most successful casino in the state of Indiana,” McCain said. “We believe this partnership, going forward, is going to bear more fruit, and we’re hopeful that the decision will be made for the convention center (in Gary).”

mwilkins@chicagotribune.com