Vigo County Council approves $2M in ARPA funding
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The Vigo County Council on Tuesday approved $2.25 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding will support four projects, including the creation of a West Central Business Hub at the former Hulman & Co. building in downtown Terre Haute.
Plans for the business hub were first detailed last December. Terre Haute-based Gibson Development Inc. is working to transform the 130-year-old building, which will house multiple local organizations.
The council approved $750,000 in ARPA funding for the project, which has also received a $500,000 grant from the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI.
In May, doors opened to The Station, a coworking space formerly known as Launch Terre Haute, which is located inside the former Clabber Girl Bake Shop and Museum.
The West Central Business Hub will ultimately house the The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, Terre Haute Economic Development Corp., Terre Haute Redevelopment Department, the Terre Haute Metropolitan Planning Organization and Western Indiana Workforce Investment Board Inc.
The organizations will occupy the first two floors, while the remaining floors are being considered for potential uses, including office and residential space.
The council also approved $750,000 for Terre Haute-based Happiness Bag Inc., an organization that provides recreational and educational services for individuals with disabilities.
The organization is looking to expand its facility in Terre Haute with a $3.5 million campaign called “Build Us Up.” According to a July post on Facebook, it has raised over $1 million toward the project.
Executive Director Jodi Moan told our partners at WTWO-TV the organization plans to start construction sometime next spring.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is set to receive $500,000 in ARPA funds toward its new equine center, a project that also has received READI funding. The Terre Haute Humane Society will also receive $250,000 for a new veterinary clinic, work for which could begin in the coming months.
“When I look at an ARPA [project]…we’re not just giving them money for the beautification of something, we’re changing people’s lives,” Council President Todd Thacker told WTWO. “So for each of us, we all have to think what is it we want out of ARPA funds, and then vote on it accordingly.”
The council still has several projects, originally outlined in February, to approve, including $5 million for various housing projects.