NEWS: (TERRE HAUTE, Ind.) A search committee tasked with finding a replacement for the retired director of the Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment will recommend that the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation (THEDC) assume management of the department. The recommendation will be made at the April 20, 2016 meeting of the City of Terre Haute Redevelopment Commission.
Since the January 29 retirement of long-time redevelopment director Cliff Lambert, THEDC president Steve Witt has served as interim director of the department. Witt had been the department’s director prior to Lambert.
“There is a good deal of overlap between economic development and community redevelopment,” said Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett. “Since Steve Witt assumed the interim director’s role in early February, the transition has been seamless. We think it makes perfect sense to formalize and continue this relationship with the THEDC.”
Bennett said, “By combining our economic development and redevelopment efforts, our overall work product will be streamlined and cost effective, thus making our community a more attractive place to live, while bolstering our business attraction and retention opportunities.”
In addition to its normal business attraction and retention efforts, the THEDC manages the Vigo County Department of Redevelopment on behalf of the Vigo County Commissioners and the Vigo County Redevelopment Commission. By assuming management of the City of Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment, both the City of Terre Haute and Vigo County redevelopment efforts will be under the umbrella of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation.
Redevelopment Commission member and search committee chair Brian Conley said, “It is an exciting time for the Terre Haute Redevelopment Commission. We will now be coordinating our economic development efforts with Vigo County and the THEDC. The commission has taken this bold step to move the City of Terre Haute forward at a time when we will be doing more with less funding.”
The Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the proposed management initiative, subject to Redevelopment Commission approval, at a special call meeting on April 6. Should the Redevelopment Commission provide its approval on April 20, it is anticipated that the new initiative would formally begin on May 2, 2016.
To learn more, visit: http://www.terrehaute.in.gov/main/departments/redevelopment
About City of Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment:
Through the administration of programs designed to eliminate slum and blight, create affordable housing opportunities, build and maintain the physical infrastructure of eligible neighborhoods, provide for urgent need and facilitate economic development activities, the Department works diligently toward improving the quality of life for all citizens of the City of Terre Haute.
About Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation:
The Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation drives business attraction and retention efforts on behalf of the City of Terre Haute and Vigo County. The THEDC implements a focused strategy that aggressively addresses our challenges, works to keep Terre Haute/Vigo County dynamic and vibrant, plus helps position the community for changes in the U.S. and global economies.
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