>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," BLOOMINGTON LEADERS HAVE COME ONE A PROPOSAL TO TAKE OVER EXPANSION AND OPERATION OF THE CONVENTION CENTER FROM MONROE COUNTY.

>> THE CITY IS WILLING TO REASONABLY COMPENSATE THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO DO THIS.

THIS WILL PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED RESOURCES FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE OTHER HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS.

>> BUT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CALL THE CITY'S OFFER INSUFFICIENT.

LACK OF IN-PERPPERSON EVENTS HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON U.S. MILITARY RECRUITMENT.

>> IF MORE PEOPLE COULD HEAR OUR MESSAGE AND HOW BENEFICIAL THE ARMY IS FOR THEM, WE MAY NOT BE IN THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN.

>> THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD IS ALSO FEELING THE IMPACT OF LOWER NUMBERS OF RECRUITS.

>>> AND WE VISIT THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB HOUSE IN VINCENNES HAS WORKED TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS.

WE'LL HAVE THOSE STORIES PLUS THE LATEST NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

WELL, MONROE COUNTY AND BLOOMINGTON LEADERS HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO EXPAND THEIR CONVENTION CENTER.

LEADERS HOPE A NEW PROPOSAL WILL PUSH MOMENTUM ON BLOOMINGTON'S EXPANSION.

BLOOMINGTON CITY LEADERS WANT TO TAKE OVER THE OPERATION OF THE CONVENTION CENTER AND EXPANSION PROJECT, BY TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF THE EXISTING BUILDING AND LAND FROM THE COUNTY.

AT A RECENT COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING OFFICIALS CALL IT A WIN/WIN FOR ALL PARTIES.

>> THE CITY IS WILLING TO REASONABLY COMPENSATE THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO DO THIS THIS WOULD PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO PURSUE OTHER HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NEW QUARRY PARK THAT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT.

>> MORE DETAILS WERE PRESENTED TO THE MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL.

THEY WILL PAY OFF THE EXISTING DEBT OF 2.2 MERCHANDISE ON THE CURRENT CENTER, RECEIVE OWNERSHIP OF THE CURRENT LAND AND PROPERTY DESIGNATED FOR POTENTIAL USE AND RECEIVE THE COUNTY'S SHARE OF THE ANNUAL INNKEEPERS TAX USED FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER.

>> THIS IS NOT A REAL ESTATE SALE, BUT A TRANSFER AND TRAIN OF ASSETS.

>> THE CITY ALSO OFFERED ITS SHARE OF THE OPIOID SETTLEMENT FOUNDS AND TO EXPAND THE TRANSIT SYSTEM BEYOND CITY LIMITS TO PROVIDE AN EAST-WEST CORRIDOR TO IVY TECH AND EMPLOYERS.

>> THEY ARE WORKING ON A NEW JUSTICE FACILITY, JAIL JUSTICE FACILITY.

LET'S HAVE THEM CONCENTRATE ON THAT WHILE WE CAN CONCENTRATE ON THIS.

SO WE DIVIDE AND CONQUER AND IT MAKES OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY BETTER.

>> GRIFFIN SAYS IT'S THE FIRST STEP IN A COMPLICATED TRANSACTION AND EXPECTS NEGOTIATIONS.

THE CITY WANTS TO FORM A SMALLER COMMITTEE WITH CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO AIRPLANE OUT THE DETAILS -- IRON OUT THE DETAILS SO IT CAN BE APPROVED BY SEPTEMBER.

>> THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A PATHWAY FORWARD TO GET MOVING ON THIS, BEFORE WE'RE IN THE CROSS HAIRS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGAIN AND THEY SUNSET THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX WHICH IS THE ONLY FUNDING MECHANISM AVAILABLE TO GET IT DONE.

>> MONROE COUNTY COUNCIL PASSED A FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX INCREASE TO FUND THE EXPANSION.

SINCE THEN, IT'S TAKEN IN MORE THAN $14 MILLION, MOST OF WHICH GOES TO THE CITY.

BESIDES THE PANDEMIC, FUNDING MECHANISMS, ELECTED OFFICIAL TURNOVER, FACILITY SIZE AND LOCATION, ARE JUST A FEW OF THE REASONS THE PROJECT NEVER GOT OFF THE GROUND.

TOURISM OFFICIALS HOPE THE MONROE COUNTY PROJECT PICKS UP AGAIN SOON, WITH TOURISM NUMBERS 20% AHEAD OF A RECORD BREAKING 2019.

>> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HOST GROUPS OF 300 OR 400.

THAT'S THE KIND OF DEMAND WE ARE GETTING.

WE HAVE GROUPS THAT ARE COMING TO US THAT WANT TO COME THAT ARE THAT SIZE.

>> HE SAYS BLOOMINGTON HAS THE SMALLEST CONVENTION CENTER IN THE STATE, YET THE SECOND MOST DESIRABLE LOCATION AFTER INDIANAPOLIS.

BUT COUNTY OFFICIALS AREN'T VINCEED THEY ARE GETTING A FAIR -- CONVINCED THEY ARE GETTING A FAIR DEAL INTO THE LATEST PROPOSAL.

JULIE THOMAS CALLS THE CITY OFFER INSUFFICIENT.

SHE SAYS SHE FELT THE PROCESS WAS MOVING FORWARD BEFORE THE PANDEMIC IN CREATING A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD TO MANAGE THE CONVENTION CENTER'S OPERATIONS.

>> THIS IS THE CITY COUNCIL, THE COUNTY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.

WE ALL NEED TO AGREE ON THIS.

IT'S NOT ONE PERSON DOESN'T DRIVE THE BUS.

>> SHE SAYS DETAILS ARE VAGUE AND MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH PUBLIC INPUT ARE NEEDED.

>> THE CONVENTION CENTER FOLKS WILL SAY, OH, CONVENTIONS ARE BACK.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M READING ELSEWHERE.

WE NOW HAVE TO CONTEND WITH WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SENATE BILL 1.

>> ROLL CALL SHOWS 26 AYES, 20 NAYS.

THE BILL HAS PASSED.

>> THAT'S INDIANA'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAN THAT TAKES EFFECT SEPTEMBER 15th.

THOMAS SAYS THE INDIANA CHAMBER SAYS IT WILL IMPACT TOURISM IN INDIANA AND WORRIES ABOUT THE KIND OF JOBS IT WILL BRING.

>> WHAT KIND OF JOBS ARE THOSE?

ARE THEY MORE THAN MINIMUM WAGE JOBS?

ARE THEY MORE THAN SERVICE INDUSTRY JOBS?

WE NEED TO DO BETTER THAN THAT, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> THOMAS SAYS WHILE FIGURING OUT THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION IS IMPORTANT, SHE SAYS HER PRIORITY IS WORKING THROUGH COMMUNITY JUST HE IS REFORM.

ESTIMATES TO FUND THE BLOOMINGTON EXPANSION AND RENT FOE ELEVATOR THE EXISTING FACILITY TOTALED $44 MILLION, BUT THAT COULD END UP ALMOST DOUBLING NOW.

>> NOW, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED AN APPRAISAL FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER PROPERTIES AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING.

MAYOR JOHN HAMILTON HOPES CITY LEADERS WILL BE ABLE TO MEET WITH THE COMMISSIONERS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE $750 MILLION INFLATION REDUCTION ACT INTO LAW THIS WEEK.

NEARLY HALF THE MONEY IS TARGETED TOWARDS ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE.

IT'S THE LARGEST SINGLE INVESTMENT EVER MADE TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

THE LAW ALSO AIMS TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES, AND CREATES A 15% MINIMUM TAX FOR CAPTIONSCORPORATIONS MAKING $1 BILLION OR MORE IN INCOME.

FOR MORE ON THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, WE ARE JOINED BY PHIL POWELL, A CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND PUBLIC POLICY AT I.U.

'S KELLEY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> SO PRESIDENT SIGNED THE NEARLY THREE-QUARTER BILLION BILL INTO LAW THIS WEEK.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON EVERYDAY HOOSIERS?

>> I THINK EVERYDAY HOOSIERS ARE GOING TO SEE SOME GOOD BENEFITS IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE.

THIS WILL BRING DOWN DRUG PRICES, AND ALSO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE FROM YOUR EMPLOYER, IT WILL BE EASIER TO ACCESS OBAMACARE WHICH WAS PASSED UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, WHICH WILL GO VERY FAR IN ENSURING ACCESS TO INSURANCE FOR PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

THAT WILL BE THE BIGGEST IMPACT FOR EVERYDAY HOOSIERS.

>> THERE'S ALSO THE CLIMATE CHANGE COMPONENT WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT MAKES UP ALMOST HALF THE COST THE BILL.

WHAT WILL THAT DO?

>> WELL, WHAT THIS DOES IS IT ACCELERATES THE ABILITY TO INVEST IN CLEANER TECHNOLOGY.

SO WITH GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE BOTH HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES SPEEDING UP THEIR PLANS TO IMPLEMENT CLEANER TECHNOLOGY.

SO THIS WILL ALSO INCREMENTALLY BE FELT AROUND THE STATE IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY.

>> YOU KNOW, THE ACT PROMISES TO PAY FOR ITSELF AND LOWER THE DEFICIT.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> WELL, THE BUSINESS -- THE PROJECTED INCOME FROM BUSINESS -- THE INCREASE IN BUSINESS TAXES IS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE PLANNED EXPENDITURES.

THAT WAY, AT LEAST IN THE FORECAST, IT PAYS DOWN THE DEBT -- IT PAYS DOWN THE DEFICIT BUT JUST A LITTLE BIT.

IT DOESN'T ERASE THE DEFICIT.

ITS BA ISICALLY A BREAK EVEN -- BASICALLY A BREAK EVEN BUDGET ITEM FOR THE BUDGET.

>> WILL IT REALLY REDUCE INFLATION?

>> WHILE IT MAY REDUCE DRUG PRICES, AND WHILE IT MAY REDUCE THE PRICE FOR CLEANER TECHNOLOGY, OVERALL, THIS IS NOT GOING TO REALLY HAVE ANY IMPACT ON INFLATION.

IF THEY REALLY WANT TO HAVE IMPACT ON INFLATION, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A MASSIVE INCREASE IN TAXES, TO GET BUSINESSES AND HOUSEHOLDS TO SPEND LESS MONEY.

BUT THE ONLY WAY WE WILL SOLVE INFLATION IS HIGHER INTEREST RATES FROM THE FEDERAL RESERVE, NOT FROM THIS ACT.

>> AND MAYBE ONE MORE JUST QUICK QUESTION, WHAT DOESN'T THIS BILL DO THAT YOU WOULD HIKE TO SEE LIKE TO SEE IT DO?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED MORE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE RESTRUCTURING.

AND WHILE THIS MAKES HEALTHCARE MORE AFFORDABLE, IT DOES NOT SOLVE SOME OF THE UNDERLYING ISSUES IN HEALTH CARE THAT LEAD TO VERY HIGH COSTS.

AND IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REALLY WANTS TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE, IT REALLY NEEDS TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSES OF WHY OUR COSTS SORE HIGH.

>> PROFESSOR THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> ALL RIGHT, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY HOLDEN ABSHIER FOR MORE ON HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

HELLO, HOLDEN.

>> THANK YOU, JOE.

GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB LARGELY DISMISSED ANY IMPACT INDIANA'S NEAR TOTAL ABORTION BAP BAN WILL HAVE ON ATTRACTING BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE TO THE STATE.

HOLCOMB ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SOME COMPANIES MIGHT AVOID INDIANA ENTIRELY BECAUSE OF THE ABORTION BAN BUT HE STATES THAT STATES THAT THE STATE IS WELL-POSITIONED TO ADD JOBS AND BUSINESSES.

>> IT'S BECAUSE OF ACCESS TO TALENT.

WE HAD IT YESTERDAY.

WE HAD TODAY, AND WE WILL HAVE IT TOMORROW.

>> HOLCOMB SAYS HE ANTICIPATES FURTHER DEBATE AND CHANGES TO THE LAW IN THE FUTURE, BUT WOULDN'T SAY WHAT KIND OF CHANGES HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY AND PURDUE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED A VISION TO SPLIT IUPUI INTO TWO SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS BY 2024.

THE CAMPUS WILL BE NAMED I.U.

INDIANAPOLIS.

IUPUI IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY I.U.

WITH CERTAIN PROGRAMS THAT GRANT PURDUE DEGREES.

PURRMITCH DANIELS SAYS THEY PLAN TO INCREASE 1,000 STUDENTS.

ABOUT 3,000 RECEIVE PURDUE DEGREES SNOWMAN OF US AT PURDUE, FOR YEARS HAVE FELT THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BIGGER, MORE VISIBLE, AND I HOPE MORE IMPACTFUL PRESENCE HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS.

THE CURRENT STRUCTURE DID NOT PERMIT US TO DO THAT.

>> A GROUP OF BLOOMINGTON BUSINESSES IS LOOKING TO REVIVE ITS RENOVATION OF THE 100-YEAR-OLD SHOWERS KILN BUILDING.

THE BUILDING WOULD OFFER SPACE FOR LOCAL START-UPS.

>> IT'S SITTING NEXT DOOR TO THE MILL WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT RDC INVESTMENT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT ACTIVATED.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

>> THE GROUP OF BUSINESSES IS KNOWN AS THE KILN COLLECTIVE AND IT HOPES TO AGAIN CONSTRUCTION NEXT YEAR.

>>> BLOOMINGTON IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE REDESIGN OF THE GOAT FARM PARK ON THE EAST SIDE.

ONCE COMPLETED IN THE SPRING, THE PROPERTY WILL BE RENAMED ROGERS FAMILY PARK.

>> WE'RE NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THE CHARACTER OF THIS PARK.

IT IS VERY MUCH A UNIQUE PARK IN OUR SYSTEM, WITH THE NATIVE PRAIRIE THAT'S BEEN RESTORED, WITH THE TRAIL, WITH THE QUIET AND WITH THE NATURE INTERACTION.

>> THE CITY IS ADDING A NEW PATH TO CREATE A HALF MILE LOOP.

IT'S REPAIRING THE BARN AND ADDING TEN NEW PARKING SPACES NEAR CHILD'S ELEMENTARY.

>>> FORMER INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL CURTIS HELD, JR., WILL BE AMONG 14 REPUBLICANS VYING TO REPLACE JACKIE WRALORSKI.

SHE DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT TWO WEEKS AGO.

REPUBLICANS IN THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA WILL HOLD A CAUCUS SATURDAY TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE ON BOTH THE SPECIAL ELECTION BALLAS BALLOT.

SEVERAL WOMEN ACCUSED HILL OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WHEN HE WAS STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR HEAD LINES.

NOW BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, HOLEN.

COMING UP NEXT "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE PANDEMIC AND LOW UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS HAVE TAKEN A TOLL ON THE RECRUITING FOR THE ARMY AND THE NATIONAL GUARD.

AND THE WABASH VALLEY FRIENDSHIP HOUSE HAS HAD SO MUCH SUCCESS HELPING THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, IT'S MOVING TO A BIGGER BUILDING.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THE U.S. ARMY ANNOUNCED THIS SUMMER, IT'S PROJECTED TO FALL 10,000 PEOPLE SHORT OF ITS RECRUITMENT GOALS SET IN 2019, A TREND NOTICED BY RECRUITERS HERE IN INDIANA.

BENTE BOUTHIER HAS THIS REPORT.

>> WE'LL SIGN YOU UP TODAY.

>> U.S. ARMY RECRUITERS TAKE DOWN NAMES AND HAND OUT INFORMATION AND WORK A BOLDERRING WALL AT THE INDIANA STATE FAIR.

THEY WILL BE THERE THROUGH THE FAIR'S CLOSE SUNDAY.

IT'S THE SECOND LARGEST IN-PERSON RECRUITMENT EFFORT FOR INDIANA ARMY RECRUITERS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND SERGEANT ROBERT MOREHOUSE SAYS THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THEY HAVE NOT MET THEIR RECRUITMENT GOALS IN RECENT YEARS.

>> I BELIEVE THAT IF MORE PEOPLE COULD HEAR OUR MESSAGE, AND HEAR HOW BENEFICIAL THE ARMY IS TOWARDS THEM, AND HELP THEM OUT, WE MAY NOT BE IN THE SITUATION WE ARE CURRENTLY?

>> HIS BATTALION COVERS INDIANA, GOING UP TO FORT WAYNE AND PARTS OF MISSOURI.

HE SAYS THEY TRIED TO SHIFT GEARS TO KEEP NUMBERS UP DURING THE PANDEMIC, LEANING MORE HEAVILY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU CAN ONLY GET SO FAR AND ONLY SO MANY INDIVIDUALS WILL EVER SEE THAT.

>> RECRUITMENT NUMBERS HAVE BEEN GOING DOWN SINCE THE 1970s WHEN ACTIVE ARMY ENROLLMENT WAS AT AN ACTIVE HIGH OF 1,500,000.

AND THE NUMBERS ARE DOWN TO 515,000.

DROPS IN NEW MEMBERS HAVE RECRUITERS BUSY.

U.S. ARMY OFFICIALS PREDICT THE TOTAL FORCE WILL BE 466,000 BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

MOREHOUSE SAYS HIS BATTALION IS SHORT ABOUT 1,000 RECRUITS GOING BACK TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2019.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REACHED A HIGH IN THE MID-TEENS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S DROPPED DOWN TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS OF 3 TO 4% AND MOREHOUSE SAYS THE MARKET IS COMPETITIVE RIGHT NOW AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT BENEFITS.

>> THAT'S THE TARGETED DEMOGRAPHIC AND UP TO THE AIM OF 35 AND GIVE THEM A SKILL WHILE PAYING THEM A FAIR WAGE IN PROVIDING ALL THE OTHER BENEFITS THAT WE JUST SPOKE ABOUT.

IT'S NOT JUST THE MONEY FOR THE COLLEGE AND THE FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, THE PAID VACATION UP TO 30 DAYS.

>> THE SUSTAINED DROP IN RECRUITS CAN BE PARTLY BLAMED ON A DECREASING POOL OF APPLICANTS WHO CAN BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A WAIVER.

THE U.S. ARMY REPORTED 23% OF AMERICANS 17 TO 24 YEARS OLD ARE FULLY QUALIFIED TO SERVE.

FOR PEOPLE WHO SCORE LOWER ON THE MILITARY'S APTITUDE TEST OR DON'T MEET FITNESS STANDARDS THE ARMY LAUNCHED A 90 DAY PROGRAM, THE FUTURE SOLDIER PREPARATORY COURSE.

THAT PERSON TRAVELS BETWEEN A FEW RECRUITING STATIONS.

>> I COULD JUST GO INTO A RECRUITING STATION, NO LOCKDOWN OR ANYTHING.

I THINK THOSE TWO YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC, IT JUST ADDED AN EXTRA HURDLE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING OUR MESSAGE OUT THERE.

>> HE SAYS PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS EXPLAINING TO PEOPLE THE ARMY IS MORE THAN JUST COMBAT JOBS WHICH HE SAYS ONLY MAKE UP ABOUT 15 TO 20% OF POSITIONS.

THE STRUGGLE FOR RECRUITS IS SOMETHING LIEUTENANT COLONEL ELAINE SAMPLES WITH THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD HAS NOTICED TOO.

SHE SAYS IN 2019, AROUND 5,400 PEOPLE WERE JOINING ALL BRANCHES OF SERVICE IN INDIANA.

IN THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD WAS GETTING 30% OF THOSE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SEEN UPS AND DOWNS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT IT'S QUITE A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE GOING INTO NOW.

WE'RE LOOKING AT AROUND 4,000 FOR THIS YEAR AND IT COULD BE AS FEW AS 3,000 GOING INTO NEXT YEAR ACCORDING TO OUR PREDICTIVE MODELS.

>> SHE SAYS IT'S TROUBLING BECAUSE THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD WAS PART OF THE COVID RESPONSE PLAN AND THIS COULD HURT THE ABILITY TO MEET STATE NEEDS.

>> WHEN THERE ARE FLOODS AND TORNADOES, WE HAD THE COVID RESPONSE THIS PAST YEAR, THE INDIANA NATIONAL GUARD SHOWED UP FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> MOREHOUSE IS CONCERNED HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE OPERATIONS FOR THE ARMY, THOUGH HE DOESN'T THINK IT'S TIME TO RAISE ALARMS.

>> WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE ARMY.

THERE WILL BE ALWAYS THOSE WHO FIND THE HIGHER PURPOSE TO FOLLOW THE CALLING.

>> HE SAYS THE EMPLOY TRENDS AND THE ECONOMY WILL INFLUENCE THEIR ABILITY TO RECRUIT AND PEOPLE'S INTEREST TO JOIN AND IT WILL TAKE TIME TO FIND VIABLE SOLUTIONS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M BENTE BOUTHIER.

>> A CLUB HOUSE IN VINCENNES OPENED TO HELP THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS HAS TRANSFORMED SO MANY LIVES, THEY ARE MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION.

DAVE FOSTER WITH VINCENNES PBS HAS THE STORY.

>> THE WABASH VALLEY FRIENDSHIP VALLEY CLUB HOUSE IN VINCENNES IS A PLACE WHERE THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR LIVES DIRUPTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS CAN CONNECT WITH THOSE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THE MEMBERS OF THE CLUB HOUSE GET AND GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS WHILE GAINING BACK THEIR LIVES LOST TO THEIR ILLNESS.

DAVE NG INGSTROM HAS BEEN IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND SAYS THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST PROGRAMS HE'S WHICH AIDS IN RECOVERY.

THE MODEL BEGAN BACK IN 1948.

>> WHEN THEY WERE STARTING, IT THEY DISCOVERED THAT WORKING WITH MENTALLY ILL FOLKS WAS BETTER TO -- IN THEIR RECOVERY TO WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH THEM, GIVING THEM A PURPOSE AND A MEANING AND JUST NOT SETTING AROUND DOING GROUPS.

SO WE DON'T -- WE DON'T DO GROUPS HERE.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO HERE IN THE CLUB HOUSE AND THE MEMBERS HELP WITH ALL OF THAT, AND THIS MODEL HAS BEEN REPLICATED OVER 300 CLUB HOUSES IN 33 DITCH COUNTRY -- DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

>> THE MEMBERS HAVE TO EXPRESS AN INTEREST, HAVE A DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS, BE OVER 18 AND BE SAFE AND NOT POSE A THREAT.

THEY WORK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, DURING TYPICAL WORKING HOURS AND HELP RUN THE CLUB HOUSE WHILE MANNING THE RECEPTION AREA, COOKING MEALS FOR MEMBERS AND WORKING IN A SNACK SHOP, FOOD PANTRY AND THE GARDEN AND CLEANING THE HOUSE.

OPENING THE LOCAL CLUB HOUSE STARTED OVER TWO YEARS AGO WHEN NGINGSTROM WAS A CASE MANAGER.

AND PART OF THE MONEY WENT TO START THE FACILITY WHICH OPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2020.

THE HOUSE IS NOW SELF-SUSTAINING.

11 MONTHS AFTER OPENING THEY WERE ACCREDITED BY CLUB HOUSE INTERNATIONAL, THE ORGANIZATION THAT STARTS AND GROWS HOUSES ACROSS THE WORLD.

VINVINCENNES STARTED WITH 12 MEMBERS A DAY AND THEY SOMETIMES HAVE 30 OR SO PEOPLE INSIDE DURING SPECIAL EVENTS.

HE EXPECTED THEY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE WITHIN A YEAR AND IT'S TAKEN LONGER THAN, THAT BUT THE TIME HAS COME.

THE HOSPITAL'S BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVED TO MOVING TO A MUCH BIGGER BUILDING TO CONTINUE THEIR MISSION OF HELPING PEOPLE REGAIN SELF-WORTH, PURPOSE AND CONFIDENCE.

>> WE RUN OFF OF 700 SQUARE FEET HERE.

WE HAVE AN UPSTAIRS AND A DOWNSTAIRS BUT WE DON'T REALLY USE ANY OF THAT, OTHER THAN FOR STORAGE.

AND SO WE PUT IT TO THE C.E.O.

AT THE HOSPITAL AND WE SAID, WE'VE GOT TO BE BIGGER AND SO WE STARTED LOOKING.

THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THAT AND THEY WERE HELPING MEMBERS LOOK AT -- ONE BUILDING WE LOOKED AT AND THEN THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS SAID LET'S TRY THIS BUILDING AND IT'S THE OLD RALPH STEWART BUILDING.

THAT'S FOUR TIMES BIGGER THAN WE HAVE HERE.

THE MEMBERS WERE ALL INVOLVED IN THE FLOOR PLAN FOR THAT.

WE WOULD TALK WITH THE ARCHITECT AND BRING THE PLANS HERE AND SHOW IT TO THEM.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE GOT HERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DO WE NEED TO ADD THIS OR TAKE SOMETHING AWAY?

THEY WERE INVOLVED FROM THE GET-GO.

>> ONE OF THOSE MEMBERS IS MONICA STUCKEY.

ONE OF HER DUTIES IS PARTICIPATING IN THE SPEAKERS BUREAU, WHERE MEMBERS TELL THEIR STORIES TO COMMUNITY GROUPS.

>> I FIRST GOT SICK WHEN I WAS 23.

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA WHEN I WAS 23.

AND I AM -- I HAD NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS.

>> THROUGH THE COURSE OF TIME, MONICA SPENT TIME IN THE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT AT GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL, LATER IN ASTATE HOSPITAL.

WHEN SHE WAS RELEASED SHE CAME TO A GROUP HOME IN VINCENNES AND WORKED A COUPLE OF JOBS AT AN AREA NURSING HOME FOR 14 YEARS WHERE DAVE INGSTROM WAS HER JOB COACH, BUT SHE HAD TO QUIT THAT JOB.

>> I STRUGGLED REALLY BAD ON THAT, BUT MY KIDS ENDED UP IN FOSTER HOME.

THEY WERE ADOPTED BY A FAMILY.

ALL OF THEM DID.

AND THEY STRUGGLED TOO.

>> MONICA TOLD US THAT SHE IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE CLUB HOUSE MOVE TO THE NEW LOCATION.

>> THE CLUB HOUSE IS AN AWESOME PLACE.

IT GIVES -- IT PUTS STRUCTURE IN MY DAY, GIVES ME MEANING TO MY -- TO MY LIFE, REALLY.

THIS IS AN AWESOME PLACE.

I LOVE IT.

>> ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE WORKED ON MORE WHEN THE MOVE IS COMPLETE IS AN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM WHERE MEMBERS REENTER SOCIETY WHILE WORKING FOR A LOCAL COMPANY OR BUSINESS.

THEY APPROACHED ONE LOCAL EMPLOYER ABOUT IT AND WILL BE CONTACTING OTHERS IN THE FUTURE.

HE EXPECTS THE CLUB HOUSE TO BE AROUND FOR MANY MORE YEARS, ALLOWING MEMBERS TO REACH GOALS THAT THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY COULD ACCOMPLISH.

>> I GET A FRONT ROW SEAT OF SEEING LIVES TRANSFORMED BUT MAJOR LIFE TRANSFORM WAS MY LIFE BEING TRANSFORMED FOR THE BETTER AND I'M JUST THRILLED THAT I HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO -- TO INVEST IN LIVES.

>> FROM VINCENNES PBS, FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M DAVE FOSTER.

>> THE WABASH VALLEY FRIENDSHIP CLUB HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN THEIR NEW LOCATION IN SEPTEMBER.

>>> AND BLOOMINGTON CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY UNANIMOUSLY RECOGNIZED THE BETHEL AMERICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AS AN HISTORIC DISTRICT.

HOLDEN ABSHIER HAS THE STORIFY REVEREND JOHN W. MALONE ORGANIZED BETHEL AMERICAN CHURCH IN 1870.

THEY RAISED $35,000 AND MOVED TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION ON NORTH ROGERS STREET IN 1922.

LOCAL SINGER AND ORGANIST, MADDIE JACOBS FULLER PLACED GOSPEL MUSIC NEAR THE PROPERTY AND RAISED $13,000 FOR THE PROJECT.

>> HERE'S SOMEONE WHO WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY, CAME TO BLOOMINGTON, AND SHE WAS THE RICHEST BLACK WOMAN IN BLOOMINGTON.

AND SO WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT HISTORY.

>> MITCHELL SAYS BETHEL A.M.E. IS ONE OF MANY PROPERTIES THAT SHE PLANS TO HELP PETITION FOR LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION.

>> THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR ME, A PERSONAL JOURNEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T FORGET AFRICAN AMERICAN SITES.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>> NOW, BLOOMINGTON MUNICIPAL CODE CREATES TWO PATHWAYS FOR A PROPERTY TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT.

EITHER A PROPERTY OWNER CAN PETITION OR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION CAN INTERVENE A PLANNED DEMOLITION.

THAT IS THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE, AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

"INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: