Terre Haute, Ind. – Business leaders of West Central Indiana welcomed Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar at the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce Thursday for a question and answer session.
Many members tuned in virtually, with Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett, Duke Energy Community Relations Manager Rick Burger and Chamber President Kristin Craig, attending in-person.
“The Chamber is always interested in hosting members of the statewide business community,” Craig said. “Providing a more on-on-one experience for our members is so important and Duke Energy has been amazing to offer this accessibility – while also giving back so much to local organizations.”
Following the virtual discussion, Pinegar, along with Chamber President Kristin Craig, presented $1,000 grant funding checks to five local organizations.
- 12 Points Revitalization Inc.
- Thrive West Central Indiana
- Terre Haute Meals on Wheels
- Launch Terre Haute
- See You In Terre Haute Relocation Project
“I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Terre Haute numerous times over the years, the community is always very welcoming,” Pinegar said. “This morning has been great, I had the chance to meet with members of the Chamber Board and then present hard working non-profits with some much deserved funding.”
One of the organizations is 12 Points Revitalization, which is working to bring business to the
changing 12 Points area.
“12 Points Revitalization was approved for a matching $50,000 grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. If our community raises $50,000 by June 7, 2021, IHCDA will match the contributions dollar-for-dollar for streetscape improvements in the 12 Points Building Business. This $1,000 from Duke Energy will go toward the $50,000 match,” Tiffany Baker, 12 Points Revitalization Economic Development Chair, explained. “Funds will be used to add lighting on Lafayette Avenue, add a gateway arch over Lafayette Avenue, free community WiFi in Gold Medal Plaza and bike racks throughout the neighborhood.”
Terre Haute Meals on Wheels was also a recipient, which depends on donations and assistance to continue its work providing food to people in West Central Indiana.
“Obtaining this grant would be greatly impactful to our organization in that we are completely
contribution-run, we receive no federal funding or government assistance,” Meals on Wheels Director Rita Kaperak said. “A grant of this nature would continue to fund our mission of feeding those in need in our area, especially as we face the expense of moving into our own building and expanding our organizational services to the Brazil, Ind. area.”
Mayor Bennett applauded Duke Energy’s contributions, and accepted funding to continue work on the See You in Terre Haute Community Plan.
“Duke Energy has always been a great partner and presence in Terre Haute and we cannot thank Stan, Rick Burger and the rest of the Duke Energy team for their support,” Bennett says.
“This funding will go a long way for some of the relocation efforts within the Community Plan.” Other quality of life efforts, include the work of Thrive West Central. The organization, which received $2,000, provides regional leadership and expertise in Economic Development, Community Development, and Aging and Disabled Resources, and collaborates with businesses, municipalities, and senior citizens and their families across West Central Indiana.
“We are so thankful to receive a Duke Energy grant through our partnership with the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce,” says Alex Brown, Trive Economic Recovery and Resiliency Coordinator. “This funding will help us develop and maintain a user-friendly mobile app for our regional trails network, a tool that we hope will enable members of our communities to more easily access and enjoy our region’s outdoor amenities. This is not an opportunity we take lightly, and we look forward to continuing to partner with the Chamber and Duke Energy to make West Central Indiana a wonderful place to live, work, and play.”
Launch Terre Haute was also awarded funding. Director Jared Ell says Launch will continue to support and grow the strong network of entrepreneurs within Launch. Ell says planning is underway to offer programming for young and future entrepreneurs.
