Published: October 21, 2008 05:33 pm         

Community support continues for Ivy Tech’s Greencastle facility

Support of Ivy Tech’s new Greencastle site remains strong as Bob Hutchings, chairman of the Citizens Advisory Commission for Industrial Development, recently presented Ivy Tech with a $300,000 matching grant toward its ongoing $1.9 million capital campaign.

During a news conference Oct. 15 in City Hall, the City Council and CACFID specified that the dollar-for-dollar matching opportunity is to be available to businesses and industries in or doing business in Putnam County.

“The building of this new campus in our community is the single most important economic development opportunity to come our way,” said Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray. “Being able to offer a trained and ready work force to local businesses and prospective employers is recognized to be one of the most convincing arguments for investment in a community. The city’s original gift was of land for the building and this $300,000 matching opportunity will hopefully see this Ivy Tech campaign to its goal. As a community, we are most proud of the efforts of so many that have helped to make this new campus part of Greencastle.”

During the event, the newly created matching fund received its first commitment from Endeavor Communications. This gift, along with the CACFID’s match, totals $30,000, bringing the Changing Lives … Building Futures campaign to just over $1,438,300.

“As a product of a community college program myself, it is an honor to be in a position to help enable the growth of Indiana’s community college system,” said Michael East, chief executive officer of Endeavor Communications. “I am confident that as a result of this corporate donation, many of our community members and neighbors will seek out the higher education opportunities that this campus will offer.”