The city of Shelbyville, Indiana, voted unanimously to allocate $1.15 million, nearly half of the city’s total economic development income tax funds, to help build a world-class regional equine diagnostic and surgical center at Purdue University. Shelby County is scheduled to vote on allocating its $1.15 million share at the body’s next meeting. The rest of the funding for the $10 million project will come from a combination of university endowment and private fundraising efforts.
The center, which would likely be located near Indiana Downs, would involve a unique partnership between the city, county, Purdue University, local veterinarians and the local and state horse racing industry. Despite some concerns raised by area veterinarians that the equine center would lead to competition between the university and area vets, the general consensus is that the center would be a good thing for both the welfare of horses and the local economy.
–The Shelbyville News
