Trine University received the first installment of $2.8 million in Regional Cities
Initiative funding from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for the Thunder
Ice Arena and MTI Center.
The check for more than $1 million from the Northeast Indiana Regional Development
Authority was presented by members of the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation
(SCEDC) board. Pictured are, from left, Craig Ralston, president of the SCEDC board;
Richard Hickman, mayor of Angola; Jason Blume, executive director of Trine University’s
Innovation One; Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine president; Isaac Lee, executive director,
SCEDC; Brett Shull, town manager, Hamilton; Vivian Likes, city planner, Angola; Dave
Martin, mayor pro tem, Angola City Council; and Hitesh Patel, owner/operator, Ramada
Inn, Angola.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation approved the funding following a recommendation
from the Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority. The Northeast Indiana RDA
is responsible for distributing $42 million in funds granted to the 11-county region
through Indiana’s Regional Cities Initiative.
The Thunder Ice Arena opened to the public in September, and hosts community hockey
and skating programs in addition to Trine’s men’s and women’s hockey teams. The MTI
Center, which will include three basketball courts, a six-lane bowling alley, esports
arena and fitness center, opens in January.
The balance will be presented to the university after the MTI Center is completed.