Redevelopment Commission approves $10,000 for high-school innovation program
February 18, 2026 | Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana
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The Carmel Redevelopment Commission on an afternoon voice vote approved a $10,000 contribution to the Start It Up (also referenced in the record as the Startup or "Start It Up" Foundation) to support job-training and innovation activities at Carmel High School.
The contribution was introduced by Executive Director Henry Mestetzky, who said the city and the Commission had supported the Foundation previously and recommended another year of funding. "Last year, the Redevelopment Commission and Mayor Finkham together gave the Startup Foundation $10,000. Here we are back again, with another contribution of $10,000 to this wonderful program," Mestetzky said.
Don Wettrick, identified in the record as the Foundation 27s founder, described a teacher-driven innovation model that began with a single class and scaled statewide. "We do three things: teachers like Craig, they get students to see problems as opportunities...then we open up our network," Wettrick said, summarizing the Foundation 27s approach. Craig, a Carmel High teacher who teaches Project Lead the Way biomedical innovations, told the Commission that student projects have achieved statewide recognition, including two students who won a $25,000 award for a urinary-tract-infection detection prototype and later advanced to Purdue and other competitions.
Commissioners asked how the Foundation 27s work fits with Carmel High 27s work-based learning. Craig said multiple offerings exist and described a 25-hour entrepreneurial innovation track that connects students to employers and internships. Speakers also noted support from Mayor Finkham and other local leaders.
Chair moved approval of the $10,000 contribution; the motion was seconded and approved by voice (recorded on the floor as three ayes). The contribution will be disbursed according to the usual CRC procedures; no conditions or dollar breakdowns beyond the stated $10,000 were specified in the record.
The Commission then moved on to other agenda items.
The contribution was introduced by Executive Director Henry Mestetzky, who said the city and the Commission had supported the Foundation previously and recommended another year of funding. "Last year, the Redevelopment Commission and Mayor Finkham together gave the Startup Foundation $10,000. Here we are back again, with another contribution of $10,000 to this wonderful program," Mestetzky said.
Don Wettrick, identified in the record as the Foundation 27s founder, described a teacher-driven innovation model that began with a single class and scaled statewide. "We do three things: teachers like Craig, they get students to see problems as opportunities...then we open up our network," Wettrick said, summarizing the Foundation 27s approach. Craig, a Carmel High teacher who teaches Project Lead the Way biomedical innovations, told the Commission that student projects have achieved statewide recognition, including two students who won a $25,000 award for a urinary-tract-infection detection prototype and later advanced to Purdue and other competitions.
Commissioners asked how the Foundation 27s work fits with Carmel High 27s work-based learning. Craig said multiple offerings exist and described a 25-hour entrepreneurial innovation track that connects students to employers and internships. Speakers also noted support from Mayor Finkham and other local leaders.
Chair moved approval of the $10,000 contribution; the motion was seconded and approved by voice (recorded on the floor as three ayes). The contribution will be disbursed according to the usual CRC procedures; no conditions or dollar breakdowns beyond the stated $10,000 were specified in the record.
The Commission then moved on to other agenda items.
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