The Terre Haute community needed a large, versatile event space to host local events and attract larger events from across Indiana and the nation. While the idea of building a Terre Haute Convention Center gained traction, the project quickly faced funding challenges despite initial support from local government entities, including the Terre Haute City Council, Vigo County Council, Terre Haute Conventions & Visitors Bureau and the Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment. Additional funding was required to bring this project to life.
RJL Solutions partnered with Vigo County to secure critical funding by advocating for the enactment of a Vigo County Food and Beverage Tax—a 1% levy on fast food and dine-in options across the county. During the 2018 General Assembly Session, RJL Solutions worked closely with legislative allies to educate policymakers on the economic and community benefits of a food and beverage tax and the transformative potential a convention center would have in Terre Haute. This advocacy helped secure the necessary legislative support for the passage of the bill. The legislation in its entirety can be found here.
The Vigo County Food and Beverage Tax was successfully enacted in January 2019 following a special summer legislative session. With this new funding source, the Terre Haute Convention Center was completed and opened its doors in April 2022, serving as a state-of-the-art multi-use venue that has since hosted a variety of large-scale events, driving economic growth in Terre Haute and West Central Indiana. Additionally, the tax supported the development of the Larry Bird Museum, housed within the Convention Center. Opened in June 2024, the museum has drawn visitors from around the globe, further boosting local tourism and solidifying Terre Haute's position as a destination for sports fans and event organizers alike.
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