February 10, 2000

Tangela Floyd

NIPSCO Communications Specialist

(219) 647-6377

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is a co-sponsor of two Mexico Trade Seminars being held on February 16.

Co-sponsors for the event include the Indiana Department of Commerce (IDOC) and the International Trade Division. The seminars have been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at NiSource Southlake Complex, 801 E. 86^th Avenue, Merrillville, Ind. and at 3:00 p.m. at the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, 418 S. Main Street, Elkhart, Ind.

Each seminar will give attendees an opportunity to learn and exchange ideas about current issues concerning trade between Indiana and Mexico. Topics that will be discussed include the Outlook of the Mexican Economy for the Year 2000, Current Status of Indiana-Mexico Trade, Key Opportunities under North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and How to Search for the Most Appropriate Representation in Mexico.

In addition, Victor Aguilar, Director of the Indiana Trade Office in Mexico, will give a presentation on trading in the Mexican market and will be available to answer questions.

"This seminar is a good opportunity for Indiana businesses to find out what Mexico has to offer and to learn about the benefits of interacting in Mexico," said Christopher Pieri, NIPSCO Business Development Manager.

For more information about the seminar, interested individuals may contact Christopher Pieri, NIPSCO’s Business Development Manager, at (800) 262-6477 or Anne O’Connor, IDOC, Regional Trade Specialist, by February 14.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is a regulated utility that provides natural gas to nearly 700,000 customers and electricity to 416,000 customers across the northern third of Indiana. NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state of Indiana. Information about NiSource Inc. and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com.

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