Big Day For Unique Hotel Training Center
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMore details will be announced Tuesday morning about a first-of-its-kind hospitality training institute that will serve as a national model. The ARC of Indiana says the $20 million teaching hotel in Muncie will allow Hoosiers with disabilities to work and own shops within the building. ARC officials say the hotel will boost the economy and create jobs. Governor Mike Pence will be on hand for the announcement. During an appearance last year on Inside INdiana Business Television, ARC of Indiana Executive Director John Dickerson said he was not aware of any similar project in the country. Organizers plan for around 200 Hoosiers with disabilities to be trained at the hotel each year.
Dickerson says a Ball State University study suggests $5 million would be put back into the home area economies over four years for every 200 people that go through the institute.
September 12, 2013
News Release
The Arc of Indiana announced today that General Hotels Corporation has been selected as the management company for the teaching hotel that will be built in conjunction with a hospitality training center in Muncie, Indiana.
Kim Dodson, Associate Executive Director of The Arc of Indiana and CEO of The Arc Development Group said, “We could not be happier with our selection of General Hotels Corporation to manage the teaching hotel. From the start, General Hotels has embraced the goals of this exciting project – to establish a teaching hotel that will benefit the City of Muncie, the Horizon Convention Center and, most importantly, provide training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.”
“General Hotels Corporation is excited to be working with The Arc of Indiana on such a unique hotel project that benefits so many, including The Arc, individuals with disabilities and the City of Muncie,” said Jim Dora, Jr., General Hotels Corporation president and chief executive officer.
“The Teaching Hotel and Training Institute is a truly unique opportunity to provide on-the-job service training for individuals with disabilities who can then take that skill back to their community to achieve greater independence for themselves,” continued Dora.
Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler said, “This project is so important in our continuing endeavor to create economic development opportunities in Muncie. A downtown hotel is critical to these efforts. Having a hotel that will also offer training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities makes this project particularly important. We are very excited to have General Hotels Corporation, an Indiana based company, join us in this exciting venture.”
About The Arc of Indiana
The Arc of Indiana, a statewide advocacy organization for people with disabilities, established The Arc Development Group, LLC (ADG) in 2012. The purpose of the LLC is to invest its time and resources in business ventures that provide training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In an effort to help individuals with disabilities become more self-sufficient, ADG is developing a “Teaching Hotel and Training Institute” in partnership with the City of Muncie, Indiana where people with disabilities will be provided post secondary education opportunities and a significant percentage of employees will be people with disabilities with salaries and benefits. For more information, visit www.arcind.org
About General Hotels Corporation
General Hotels Corporation (GHC) is a leading hospitality management company operating branded full and select-service hotels and independent hotels. The Company provides hotel owners comprehensive property management services including revenue management. With over 50 years of experience, GHC currently operates 31 hotels located throughout the Midwest totaling nearly 3,500 guest rooms. The Company’s managed hotels operate under well-known brands including Courtyard by Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Best Western. GHC is a privately held company headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. For additional information please visit the Company’s website at www.genhotels.com.
Source: Arc of Indiana