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Although the population may be similar to TH, I’m guessing there are more people that donate to the university simply because there are no other large schools in North Dakota (other than NDSU) competing for dollars. Don’t you think we’d be better off if there were no ND, IU or PU to compete with?
 

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WOZ said:
Although the population may be similar to TH, I’m guessing there are more people that donate to the university simply because there are no other large schools in North Dakota (other than NDSU) competing for dollars. Don’t you think we’d be better off if there were no ND, IU or PU to compete with?
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You could add more schools to compete with that are out of state and still within a reasonable driving distance.
 
The city owns the Alerus Center. UND pays 110k-130k per year for football only... I'm sure there are some splits with concessions and ticket sales. The number and size of schools nearby has little impact in my opinion because the city owns it not the school. TH has a large metro area that will have a positive impact... I believe their lease is renewed every 10 years. I'm sure it was a no brainer for UND when looking at maintenance costs... For the city however, it's a multi use facility with other tenants/customers throughout the year.
 
southernindianaballer said:
The city owns the Alerus Center. UND pays 110k-130k per year for football only... I'm sure there are some splits with concessions and ticket sales. The number and size of schools nearby has little impact in my opinion because the city owns it not the school. TH has a large metro area that will have a positive impact... I believe their lease is renewed every 10 years. I'm sure it was a no brainer for UND when looking at maintenance costs... For the city however, it's a multi use facility with other tenants/customers throughout the year.
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IF Terre Haute were to do this, it would be paramount that they get outstanding management for the facility - NOT friends of the people on the CIB. Actual venue management that will market the heck out of it to make sure it is utilized to the fullest. That’s where any facility built by TH/Vigo County will fail. The management will be out of the “Good ‘Ol Boys Club “ and will fall flat. I’ve seen this movie before.
 
I still think that if the city/county is so doggone set on doing this thing, they should look into a Monolithic Dome. In a disaster, it can serve as a community disaster shelter and they could house Vigo County 911 in it, which might qualify them for a grant from FEMA to help with construction costs. Multiple uses, safe building, heating/cooling costs are lower, seems like a good idea to me. If they just HAVE to do it. Which they shouldn't.
 

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They need other critical infrastructure projects done well before a convention center.

Jail, schools, roads... Then work on attracting more employers to bring decent paying jobs to keep people there year round, not for a weekend.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
They need other critical infrastructure projects done well before a convention center.

Jail, schools, roads... Then work on attracting more employers to bring decent paying jobs to keep people there year round, not for a weekend.
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ABSOLUTELY! But as we've seen time and time again, actual needs vs. wants are never really used in policymaking in Vigo County...:laugh:
 
Perhaps they need to hire a few more judges. That could cut down on the people in jail awaiting trial. A few ropes for the courthouse hangings would help on the overpopulation of the jails too.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
They need other critical infrastructure projects done well before a convention center.

Jail, schools, roads... Then work on attracting more employers to bring decent paying jobs to keep people there year round, not for a weekend.
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so for the 3 things you list, do they all come from the same governing body? In Illiniois, im not sure any of those would prevent the city from doing something like a CC. im not saying they should or shouldnt build a CC.
 
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sycamore tuff said:
Perhaps they need to hire a few more judges. That could cut down on the people in jail awaiting trial. A few ropes for the courthouse hangings would help on the overpopulation of the jails too.
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America could also get out of the incarceration business for marijuana which would open millions of slots nationwide. My guess is it is proportionate in Vigo County.
 

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niklz62 said:
so for the 3 things you list, do they all come from the same governing body? In Illiniois, im not sure any of those would prevent the city from doing something like a CC. im not saying they should or shouldnt build a CC.
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That's a good question and I'm not 100% sure.

I'd guess most of them are technically Vigo County projects but talk about cutting your nose off in spite of your face.
 
I would suggest that not already doing those things with a plan is a recipe for failure. TH/Vigo does not have an economic development team in place already? No plan for prison? Doing all these things consistently and effectively, simultaneously, creates success. Are they inept? Really? Is confidence just low??
 
southernindianaballer said:
I would suggest that not already doing those things with a plan is a recipe for failure. TH/Vigo does not have an economic development team in place already? No plan for prison? Doing all these things consistently and effectively, simultaneously, creates success. Are they inept? Really? Is confidence just low??
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It's a financially strapped city with a vibrant good ole boy network that has kept them from progressing for decades. Draw whatever conclusions you want from that. I posted a study from the State that showed Terre Haute is dead last among cities for pretty much everything.

I will say there seems to have been a little movement over the last couple years with going after employers, but the city lacks a middle class that can pay for the projects so they're basically spending money they don't have. That's why a convention center makes no financial sense for Terre Haute. Indiana State certainly doesn't need it as they have the Dedes and tons of rooms they could hold any conference for their own needs -- I know, we've held events there using both Dede, HMSU and the School of Ed and it went off smashingly.

They have a website that addresses their jail needs. It's an interesting read. The school issue has been brought up and discussed on social media and I think we may have discussed it here. My belief is Terre Haute will continue to take one step forward and two steps back until quite a few families are finally kicked to the curb. Those with any knowledge could rattle off several names very quickly.
 
Here was that thread that referenced the study. I posted it a couple comments down.

https://www.sycamorepride.com/showthread.php?38668

Look, I think your idea is fantastic in theory, but unless it is 100% privately funded, it's just not economically or operationally feasible at this moment. Any city leaders that believe it is have serious delusions of grandeur.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
That's a good question and I'm not 100% sure.

I'd guess most of them are technically Vigo County projects but talk about cutting your nose off in spite of your face.
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I think what would happen here, is that the school district would build a new school, the county would build a new jail, the state would repair roads and then each entity would raise taxes and borrow money independent of each other and the residents would have paid for it all out of different accounts but it wouldnt be different than if one entity did all of it.
 

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niklz62 said:
I think what would happen here, is that the school district would build a new school, the county would build a new jail, the state would repair roads and then each entity would raise taxes and borrow money independent of each other and the residents would have paid for it all out of different accounts but it wouldnt be different than if one entity did all of it.
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Makes sense, but you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip and therein lies the problem. The last census had something like 25000 households and like $18k per capita or low $30s household income. I don't remember the exact numbers, but they weren't good.

A large majority of the jobs are service-based jobs. I'm hoping that FedEx expansion brings a nice boost but they really need to find a way to lure more middle class level jobs. Tech is absolutely non-existent in Terre Haute which blows my mind with Rose sitting there, not to mention State had pretty damn solid tech programs. The lack of tech jobs was the sole reason I left for Indianapolis nearly 15 years ago now.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
Those with any knowledge could rattle off several names very quickly.
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Ya... I for one am capable but I aint going down that road... No gain in doing that for me. Maybe someone else is interested in doing that. I'm good.

This post is a pretty good illustration of exactly what you're talking about. I'm pretty out spoken on things but I've had my hand slapped a few times over the years and that gets old.
 
I'm guessing.... ISU and TH/Vigo will discuss more options at some point... But, will it go anywhere? Can't deny the advantages of all the planets lining up and getting a Convention Center/Casino, and ISU populating it with 7-12k fans several times a year.
 
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