The Welcome Center @ The Bank Project Update
In December 2024, the Indiana County Commissioners accepted a donation from First Commonwealth Bank of its former Downtown Indiana Office (DIO) located at 600 Philadelphia Street to establish a Welcome Center in the county-seat that will benefit all of Indiana County. The Welcome Center will serve as the new home of three non-profit organizations, including the Indiana County Tourist Bureau, the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Indiana, a Non-Profit Corporation, all of which will co-locate in the renovated facility to establish a heightened level of collaboration for tourism promotion, business services, and event coordination.
In November 2024, Senator Joe Pittman, Representative Jim Struzzi and Representative Brian Smith issued a joint press release announcing the Indiana County Commissioners received a $1.75 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant, of which $500,000 will be used at the Welcome Center and in 2025 the County also received a $525,000 Keystone Communities Initiative Program grant that coupled together the State funding will be utilized for building renovations, added technology improvements, conference room furnishings and equipment upgrades.
Key updates to the former bank building include a new roof and HVAC equipment, interior and exterior improvements, such as new front doors, a new conference room, ADA-compliant rest room, new window blinds, lighting and electrical upgrades, audio visual and communications equipment, and fire safety updates with every effort to preserve and enhance the architectural features of the 1934 building.
As part of the long-term lease agreement, funding for a Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) will be negotiated to compensate Indiana Borough, the County, and the Indiana Area School District for tax revenue derived from the building.
The project is expected to be ready for occupancy in the 4th Quarter of 2025.