Economic Development
Proposal
A bold idea. Sixteen days. National coverage before most of the country had their morning coffee.
A Daring Idea Stepped Into The Spotlight
A video WeCreate produced in partnership with the City of Portage was picked up by ESPN 1000 and aired as breaking news, accelerating the conversation around the Chicago Bears and Indiana before most of the country had their morning coffee.
Within hours, regional and national media were in the room. The story spread to ABC7 Chicago, CBS Chicago, FOX 32, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and beyond — generating over 10 million earned media impressions in the opening days alone.
It started with leadership willing to think bigger. Andy Maletta and the Portage EDC recognized the opportunity for Northwest Indiana. Mayor Austin Bonta backed a vision built on private investment, bold infrastructure, and long-term economic impact. WeCreate helped shape that vision into a story powerful enough to move the conversation forward.
That Vision Was Halas Harbor
A Pitch That Had to
Earn The Room
The City of Portage needed more than a proposal — they needed a concept compelling enough to generate national attention in a crowded field. Competing against Hammond, Gary, the state of Iowa, and Illinois’ own Arlington Heights deal, the margin for a forgettable pitch was zero.
The Offer
- 300 acres along the Burns Waterway.
- Fully privately financed. Rent-free to the Bears.
- Zero taxpayer burden. Zero team debt.
- Shovels in the ground by June 2026.
The Competition
Hammond and Gary (closer to the IL state line), Iowa’s legislative stadium incentives, and Illinois pushing a deal to keep the Bears in Arlington Heights.
It’s about building an intentional sport and entertainment ecosystem from day one.
This is a venue and a village - designed and ready to host the Super Bowl.
Wade Breitzke — Halas Harbor Press Conference, Feb 2026
You’ve heard of tailgating.
Have you heard of Sailgating?
Concept coined by WeCreate•Covered by Crain’s Chicago Business•Daily Journal•NW Indiana Business
16 Days
Zero Shortcuts
January 26
Kickoff + Strategy
Reviewed Kevin Warren’s open letter. Established strategy, scope, and deliverables. Drone footage and scripting initiated within 24 hours.
January 27–29
Brand Development
Jan 30 – Feb 6
Full Production Sprint
February 7–10
Press Conference Build
February 11
Press Conference Day
What We Delivered
The Story Went National
WeCreate and CEO Wade Breitzke were named directly in coverage from Crain’s Chicago Business, the Daily Journal, and NW Indiana Business Magazine. The campaign generated over 10 million early earned media impressions and kept growing.
Over the following 30–90 days, the story continued to resurface alongside every Bears stadium update, extending total campaign impact to over 200 million impressions. The Bears organization did not dismiss it. Neither did Chicago media.
Coverage Extended To
- Crain’s Chicago Business
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Daily Journal
- NW Indiana Business
- Inside Indiana Business
- Indianapolis Business Journal
- Indiana Public Radio
- ABC7 Chicago
- CBS Chicago
- Fox 32 Chicago
- Chicago Tribune
- Yahoo Sports
- The Stadium Business
- ESPN 1000
If You’re Trying to Tell a Regional Story,
We Know This Territory.
Whether you’re positioning a place, marketing what makes a community worth investing in, or helping decision-makers see what they’ve been flying past, that’s the kind of work we do and where we tend to do it best
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