New Round of Grant Funding Available for Businesses Through the Open For Tourism Program 

Terre Haute, Ind. – Since its inception in 2020, the Open for Tourism funding initiative has seen several successful projects completed in the community. We are excited to announce that funding has been secured for another round of project proposals through the City of Terre Haute.

The Open for Tourism initiative was designed by Launch Terre Haute, the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Small Business Development Center, and the City of Terre Haute to help the local business community prepare for increased tourism thanks to the Terre Haute Convention Center, Terre Haute Casino Resort, 2024 Solar Eclipse and more. Tourism is one of the six pillars of the See You in Terre Haute Community Plan and this program is a great example of how the community is working to grow its population.

“The Open for Tourism program has provided help to prepare our businesses for the flourishing tourism sector,” said Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Director of Community Engagement Josh Alsip. “By bettering experiences for Terre Haute visitors, we will help increase our population and per capita income, as laid out in the See You In Terre Haute Community Plan.”

Last year was record-breaking for Terre Haute-Vigo County Tourism. The Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau collected $2.8 million through the innkeeper’s tax in 2022. The growth can be attributed to an array of factors, including the Mill, LaVern Gibson Cross Country Course, Terre Haute Convention Center, and more. The growth in tourism is expected to continue with new developments over the next few years.

Previous projects by Open for Tourism include:

Federal Coffee + Fine Foods – Addition of a walk-up window that faces a prime location along 7th Street and Wabash Ave.

Bar_Botics – Expanded a Star Wars-themed outdoor patio that provides a visual attraction to downtown visitors.

Saratoga Restaurant – A great exterior makeover, including a new outdoor mural. These updates were funded with both Open for Tourism and National Trust for Historic Preservation funding.

Illumination Wellness – A meditation garden in the 12 Points area meant to help guests disconnect from the everyday world.

Ferm Fresh – “The Alley”, an outdoor seating area that is dog friendly and has fun activities.

Maggie and Moe’s – A walk-up window for Maggie & Moe’s Coffee at the Sycamore Farm. A great option for those walking the trails!

All of these projects helped beautify Terre Haute as well as add unique features to the businesses.

Interested businesses should learn more about Open for Tourism and its requirements, including being a for-profit business within the City of Terre Haute and being linked to tourism through a product or service. To be eligible for business development funding, businesses must be a member of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. Not all businesses that apply will be accepted into the program due to funding limitations. Learn more here.