STATEHOUSE (April 19, 2024) – Fort Wayne's Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue University campuses may take off with their plans for improvement and expansion projects totaling over $88 million following a meeting of the State Budget Committee, according to local lawmakers.
On Friday, the State Budget Committee reviewed capital projects for Ivy Tech and Purdue that will help accommodate enrollment growth at their Fort Wayne locations. According to State Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne), the Ivy Tech campus' planned $66 million project includes the renovation and modernization of the Coliseum Campus to help accommodate programs and services displaced from the north campus. The renovations will be geared toward increasing lab capacity, updating technology and creating additional student common spaces.
"Purdue and Ivy Tech's Fort Wayne campuses are critical assets, and their success has a major impact on our region's growth and our workforce," Judy said. "We hope improvement projects like these not only continue to increase enrollment numbers but lead to more graduates choosing Northeast Indiana to live, work or start a business."
Both Harshman and Carroll Halls are set to be demolished as part of Ivy Tech's renovation, which will reduce the campus' footprint and allow for future enrollment growth of 195 students by the 2025-2026 academic year. Funding is made available through a mix of gifts, bonds and state dollars supported by lawmakers during the budgeting process.
Purdue Fort Wayne will also move ahead with a $22 million project to construct a new, 26,000 square foot addition to its current music center. The existing 8,200 square foot Rhinehart Music Center is operating at maximum capacity and this project will accommodate enrollment growth. Local lawmakers supported Purdue's boost in funding as part of the two-year state budget passed last year.
"The Purdue Fort Wayne Music Center is a state-of-art facility that continues to be a magnet for attracting students, visitors and events," said State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne). "I'm excited for this new addition and the enrollment growth of the program, which plays an important part in our local arts community."
As part of the new addition, state-of-the-art rehearsal spaces and recording studios will be included in the design plans along with an editing suite and critical listening laboratory.
"It's great to see enrollment growth on our local college campuses, which are critical to helping increase our region's skilled workforce and maintain our economic momentum," said State Rep. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne). "Northeast Indiana is fortunate to be home to great schools and I look forward to seeing these projects benefit our local students and the community."
The State Budget Committee also released $30 million to the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission to implement its five-year strategic plan to grow population, expand housing and strengthen the overall quality of the area workforce. Local lawmakers voted to include the funding in the current state budget. The investments can also go toward capital projects, programming and services.
"With the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission, we've been able to work together as a region to set goals and make meaningful, transformative changes that boost our economy and workforce," said State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne). "Whether it's attracting residents or businesses to our area or helping more Hoosiers skill up, we have tremendous opportunities in front of us. This state funding is a big win for our communities, especially because it will spur further investment from private industry."
Legislation authored by Heine in 2021, established the NEISDC, which represents 11 Northeast Indiana counties with the overarching goal of increasing talent attraction and retention, talent development and housing. Learn more by visiting neisdc.org.
Visit in.gov/sba/budget-committee for more information about the projects reviewed by the State Budget Committee, as well as view agendas and archived meetings.
-30-
State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) represents House
District 81, which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Dave Heine (R-Fort Wayne) represents House
District 85, which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 83,
which includes portions of Allen and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Bob Morris (R-Fort Wayne) represents House
District 84, which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
