Terre Haute officials hear ISU students’ plan for $75,000 neighborhood investment pilot

Terre Haute city leaders on Thursday heard a research-based proposal for a Neighborhood Investment Fund that would channel $75,000 in casino revenues to small, resident-led projects in neighborhoods across the city.

AT Ryan, director of the Human Relations Commission for the City of Terre Haute, introduced the presentation from Indiana State University graduate students Joseph Harris and Sarah Fierce, who said the pilot is designed to give informal neighborhood groups access to funds and city-managed procurement support so groups without 501(c)(3) status can participate.

The students outlined goals that include prioritizing ‘‘broken promise’’ annex areas that have historically lacked infrastructure, using a city-managed funding model to reduce legal risk for informal groups, and providing a standardized project menu so applicants can build realistic budgets. They recommended a grant-selection committee composed of six community leaders (one from each district) and the mayor as a tie-breaker to reduce perceptions the program is top-down.

Council members asked how much funding is available. ‘‘$75,000,’’ Harris said. AT Ryan said the money is drawn from gaming revenue and described the effort as a pilot the mayor hopes will continue if successful.

The proposal emphasizes technical assistance: a required applicant workshop and ‘‘neighborhood champions’’ to support outreach, especially in areas with lower digital engagement. Eligible projects would be visible, neighborhood-serving items such as benches, tree plantings, small shelters and public art; surveillance equipment and for-profit projects would be ineligible.

AT Ryan and the student team said the process will include a simple letter of interest, a mandatory technical assistance workshop, application submission by deadline (no rolling admissions) and scoring by a balanced committee to ensure fairness and neighborhood representation. The students also suggested marketing strategies centered on families and neighborhood champions to overcome distrust of government initiatives.

Council members generally praised the work and asked staff to clarify whether the pilot could become an ongoing program; AT Ryan said continued funding will depend on future gaming revenues and evaluation at the end of the pilot. The city plans additional outreach and refinement before a public launch in May.

The council did not take formal action on the pilot during the meeting; staff and the student team said they will return with refined materials and next steps.