(LAGRANGE) – The LaGrange County Major Moves Committee has agreed to release funds for the Innovation Center Project.

During the Committee’s Monday meeting, LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Sherri Johnston asked for the release of the $2.2 million due to an invoice that has come in on the project. ...... {LISTEN}.

In addition to the Major Moves money, additional funding has been pledged to the project. That includes a $500,000 Lilly Endowment Early Learning Indiana grant, a pending $921,000 READI grant through the State of Indiana, and generous local contributions, including $50,000 from NIPSCO, and $25,000 from the LaGrange County Community Foundation.

However, only some of those funds have come in to the EDC as of today.

Johnston says they are also waiting to hear about a grant from the Down Wood Foundation for $721,445. Notification on the grant won’t happen until mid-September.

The Innovation Center is located at 2500 North Ventura Way, just off County Road 200 North. Plans for the facility include: New office space for both LCEDC and the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce; Flexible co-working space and additional rental offices for startups, non-profits and businesses; A 60 person community meeting room for public use and events; and a 72 seat licensed childcare center operated by the GO Foundation (Imagination Station).

Renovations are expected to start later this year, with the opening to be in the Fall of 2026.