First Round of Open for Tourism Funds Awarded to New Business, Federal Coffee

First Round of Open for Tourism Funds Awarded to New Business, Federal Coffee

Terre Haute, Ind. – Excitement around the opening of the new Federal Coffee + Fine Foods continues to grow as the business is awarded the first in See You In Terre Haute: Open for Tourism funding.

On Thursday representatives from Launch Terre Haute, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center and Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce made the announcement, along with Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett and Federal Coffee owners Kris and Gretchen Kraut.

 The Open for Tourism initiative was designed by Launch, the CVB, the Chamber and Indiana Small Business Development Center to help the local business community prepare for increased tourism thanks to the planned development of a casino and convention center in Terre Haute.

“Despite what is happening around us with COVID-19 there are still so many tourism opportunities coming for our community,” says Chamber of Commerce President Kristin Craig. “We have to be prepared to meet these needs in the future which includes developing places for people to eat, drink and shop within our area.”

Federal Coffee is the first business to complete the Open for Tourism program. Working with representatives from the WCISBDC, Kraut completed free, one-on-one consultations with subject matter experts and specific training for their business.

Through these steps, they identified a particular need which would increase tourism-related activity, the addition of a walk-up window which faces a prime location along 7th Street and Wabash Ave. Federal Coffee then applied for and received funding from the Open for Tourism program to help complete this project.

West Central ISBDC Regional Director Courtney Chipol says funding will vary based on the business and needs. Eligible businesses including bars, restaurants, retail and service providers, must apply for funding that could total up to $2,500.

“We are happy to and want to help business owners put their best food forward,” says West Central ISBDC Regional Director Courtney Chipol. “Providing this service will hopefully afford these businesses the chance to have the most impact on visitors. If businesses aren’t prepared for the increase in tourism they might not have the impact they want. We know we have some really awesome businesses here and their success will only be a ripple effect for people wanting to come to Terre Haute.”

Kraut, says the additional funding was used as they complete final projects ahead of the coffee shop and café’s grand opening on Tuesday, September 29, ironically National Coffee Day.

“We are grateful for the consultations and investment in this new business,” Kraut says. “Opening a new location in Downtown takes a lot of time, energy and money and to have that support and backing from these organizations gives us some added confidence as we move closer to the opening date.”

Interested businesses should learn more about the initiative and requirements, including being a for-profit business within the City of Terre Haute and be 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 who apply will be accepted into the program due to funding limitations.

For more information or to apply for the program visit growterrehaute.com.