MUNCIE – The Arc of Indiana’s groundbreaking ceremony for the country’s first training institute and teaching hotel for people with disabilities will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the Muncie Horizon Convention Center, 401 South High Street. The project, which will include a training institute, Courtyard by Marriott and Thr3e Wise Men restaurant, is expected to open in October of 2015. Nearly 300 people are expected to join in the groundbreaking celebration.

This first of its kind project in the nation will provide postsecondary education opportunities for people with disabilities in the hospitality and food service industries, train human resource professionals in hiring people with disabilities, employ people with disabilities at the Courtyard by Marriott, and offer the opportunity for people with disabilities to own their own business in the hotel.

“This project is only possible because so many people have come together to achieve this dream. We are so happy to be a part of the Muncie community where people really are ‘Imaging the possibilities.’ We are making history today that will forever change the lives of people with disabilities,” said Kim Dodson, associate executive director of The Arc and chief executive officer of Arc Innovations.

The Arc of Indiana’s annual conference and awards lunch will be held at the Horizon Convention Center on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Nearly 400 people are registered to attend. Conference information can be found at www.arcind.org/2014Conference

News and information about the training institute and teaching hotel can be found at: www.arcind.org/teaching-hotel. Follow the Training Institute and Teaching Hotel @ArcTeachHotel

Training Institute and Teaching Hotel Partners
The State of Indiana
The City of Muncie
Horizon Convention Center
Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance
Courtyard by Marriott
General Hotels Corporation
Schmidt Associates
A Pots and Pans Production

Source: The Arc of Indiana, Inside INdiana Business