Tuesday night marked another step in the right direction for West Central Indiana’s continued business and community development. The Vigo County Council voted to approve a request made on behalf of the West Central Business Hub to improve its historic Downtown Terre Haute home. The building, which once served as the home of Clabber Girl and Hulman and Company, sits at the corner of Wabash Avenue and 9th Street.
The funding for improvements will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which the county will use to address challenges facing the community. The West Central Business Hub will help growth in the business sector by aiding anyone looking to start or expand a business in West Central Indiana. The historic downtown building has been a driving force of economic development and industry for over a century. These infrastructure and accessibility improvements will ensure that the building continues to be a significant component of those advancements.
“This is something we’ve been working on and dreaming of for several years,” said Kristin Craig, Executive Director of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to create a one-stop shop for everyone from entrepreneurs to existing businesses and new investments can come and access all the business services together.”
The biggest component of improvements would be increasing accessibility to the building. A wheelchair ramp leading to an accessible door will help ensure everyone has access to the services provided at the Hub. Wayfinding and
improved visibility are also factors that will be addressed during this overhaul project.
In 2020 Gibson Development LLC purchased the building from the Hulman family and began renovating to attract tenants that would contribute to the positive momentum West Central Indiana has achieved in recent years. Several business services like the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation and The Station Coworking already calling The Hub home.
Similar business hub concepts have seen success in Evansville, Fort Wayne and Kokomo. The Vigo County Council members who voted all supported the request and it passed without any votes against it. The improvements are already being implemented and longer-term projects should be completed within six to nine months.
