Terre Haute.

• Author: Guell, Robert
• Position: Indiana Metro Areas - Economic indicators

The economy of Terre Haute, long lagging that of the state of Indiana, may be ready for a rebound. On the strength of increased residential construction, education and health services employment, and political strength from the mayor's office, Terre Haute may be prepared to break out of its decades-long pattern of anemic economic performance.

Terre Haute's economic history, as perceived around the state, is one of decline. Manufacturing employment, once the engine for economic activity in the community, is 10 percent lower in 2004 than it was in 1995. Terre Haute has not landed a major new employer to the area since Aisin located in the Vigo County Industrial Park early in the decade. Continued high energy prices threaten the economic health of the local plastics industry. Terre Haute's unemployment rate has, for a decade, remained above that of the nation and the state. It is worth noting, however, that all have converged in recent years suggesting Terre Haute's days of seriously lagging the state and nation may be drawing to a close (see Figure 1).

[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]

Construction industry employment is the highest it has been in a decade and new residential building permits are running ahead of their 2002-2003 pace (see Figure 2). The 641-Bypass connecting 1-70 to southbound U.S. 41, though proceeding slowly, offers the potential for growth on the southeast side of Vigo County. Developers continue exploratory work near the 1-70 and State Road 46 interchange, leading to the possibility of a major new retail area at this relatively undeveloped site.

Elsewhere, health and education employment continues to grow as Vigo County's two major hospitals and four major institutions of higher education are once again (though to varying degrees) expanding services. Though this sector was flat from 1997 to the beginning of 2003, from March 2003 through 2004, the sector has added more than 1,000 jobs.

The political realm, long an arena for stagnation and complacency, has signs of new life as the people of Terre Haute and Vigo County...