Southern Indiana Business Report
HUNTINGBURG – An underutilized alley in Huntingburg has been transformed into a vibrant public space that increases access to to retail shops and businesses.
The city of Huntingburg is celebrating the opening of this new asset in its downtown historic district made possible with Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). The Huntingburg Alley Activation project received $110,000 of READI 1.0 funds. The alley activation will create new opportunities to gather and connect, as well as strengthen the community’s identity in Indiana Uplands region.
Restaurants and shops in the area have already reported a boost to their business due to the alley and the increased foot traffic. Soon, the alley will feature a new addition – Butcher and Barrel – bringing a restaurant and bourbon bar with a lunch menu to both sides of the walkway. The Huntingburg Alley Activation project will officially be complete later this month after a new mural is painted by Hoosier artist Pamela Bliss. The installation will feature a student dunking a basketball and will incorporate clay, celebrating the city’s rich tradition of sports and its pottery industry history.
The alley serves as a pedestrian access corridor between Fourth Street and the historic Huntingburg Memorial Gym. The revitalized space features outdoor lighting, tables and chairs, planters and, soon, public art. A new parking lot at the end of the alley also provides additional parking for downtown businesses and visitors.
“It’s interesting to walk through and see the different cultures in Huntingburg,” said Huntingburg Mayor Neil Elkins in a press release. “Our population includes those of German heritage, newer Haitian and Vietnamese residents, and other Hispanic populations. They are all sitting in the alley together, enjoying lunches or taking breaks. The convergence of different cultures makes it special. The alley will be a refreshment area and a connection to 4th Street, the gymnasium and local history.”
According to a press release from the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Gov. Eric J. Holcomb established the now $1.25 billion READI program in 2021 and it has since been nationally recognized for its success. READI 1.0 was established with an initial $500 million in partnership with the Indiana General Assembly and is bringing vibrance to regions across the state to accelerate shovel-ready projects and programs that will transform Hoosier communities, attract talent and improve quality of life.
“Seeing firsthand the positive impact on local communities the READI program is making is exactly why we established the program years ago,” said Gov. Holcomb in the release. “The revitalization of this once-vacant public space is bringing new life to Huntingburg’s downtown district in such creative community minded ways. The partnership between the state and the local community is how we’ll further continue to take Indiana to the Next Level and I’m excited to see more and more similar projects come to life through the READI program.”
READI 1.0 has awarded $487 million to 353 unique projects and programs across the state, yielding $12.6 billion invested (26:1 investment leverage ratio) in quality of life, quality of place and quality of opportunity initiatives. READI 2.0, which was part of Gov. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda and secured additional funding awarded by the Lilly Endowment, is allocating another $750 million to accelerate community development investments statewide. This funding is expected to attract a minimum 4:1 match of local public and private funding, yielding at least $3 billion invested to increase the vibrancy and prosperity of Hoosier communities.