The potential closure of the Griffith branch of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is not a done deal, as Indiana BMV Commissioner Joe Hoage heard from residents about their desire to keep it open during a public hearing held at Griffith Town Hall on Wednesday.
Residents expressed concerns of having to drive further to conduct their BMV business, especially the burden it would place on senior citizens.
Griffith resident John Galambos said that he was a district supervisor for 14 BMV branches across Lake and Porter counties up until his retirement and hoped that the location will remain open.
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“I’ve worked in every branch and Griffith has outstanding employees,” he said. “I know that this is one of the finest branches there is.”
Hoage didn’t disagree and noted that the Griffith BMV has one of the best transaction times in the state. However, transactions at the branch have decreased 36% between 2018 and 2023. In addition, residents living in Griffith’s 46319 zip code conducted more out-of-branch transactions that in-person transactions at the Griffith branch in 2023.
Closing the branch would save $350,000 a year — funds that could be applied to the construction of a new, larger BMV on US 30 in Merrillville, Hoage said. In addition to Griffith, there are six BMV branches — located within a 13-mile drive of the Griffith BMV — located in Merrillville, Schererville, East Chicago, Crown Point, Gary and Hammond.
Hoage noted that Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, has six branches serving approximately 1 million people. One branch was closed this summer as part of a cost-saving consolidation plan. Lake County, with a population size of about half of Marion County, currently has seven branches.
He added that no employees would lose their jobs, as they would be reassigned to other locations in Lake County.
Activity at all BMV branches is declining due to many of the services available online or at the 24/7 self-service kiosks located in the vestibule of the branches, which offer registrations and license renewals.
“We want to work with the town to find the right location for the kiosk,” Hoage said, noting that 50% of transactions can be completed at a kiosk.
State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, suggested that the Griffith branch be relocated to a smaller location as part of a pilot program.
Last week, the Griffith Town Council passed a resolution emphasizing its desire to keep the branch open. Speaking at the public hearing, Town Council President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, specifically noted that there are 1,300 apartment residents living near the Griffith branch who would be inconvenienced by its closure.
“We have a lot of elderly people living in town and this would not be fair to them,” he said. “I hope you will consider.”
Hoage emphasized that no decision has been made yet, and that the Griffith branch, 1038 Ridge Rd., is the only one under consideration for closure at this time. The state does not own the building and in currently on a month-to-month lease.
“It’s a decision not being taken lightly,” he said.
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.