Boys & Girls Club in Palmyra

Project Journey

The idea of a new Boys & Girls Club in northern Harrison County began in early 2024, when HCCF led a county-wide planning initiative called Vision Project 2024. After gathering input from over 50 community leaders and a public survey, childcare was determined as one of the Top 10 Priorities for the county. In response, HCCF partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Harrison-Crawford Counties and submitted a proposal to Lilly Endowment Inc. through the GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) VIII Initiative.

Land Acquisition

HCCF Real Estate Supporting Organization then acquired land along Highway 135 in Palmyra, adjacent to the new Palmyra Fire District, to serve as the home of the new Boys & Girls Club and kickstart the vision of expanding youth services in the region. 

Announcement of Project

Two months later, a special ceremony was held to announce HCCF had received a $4.49 million GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) VIII Implementation Grant. Additionally, HCCF’s Board of Directors committed $3 million to support the project, demonstrating the Foundation’s commitment to addressing the county’s needs.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

After spending the early months of 2025 in the pre-construction phase, HCCF hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony on October 27, 2025. The event celebrated a significant step towards expanding access to affordable, dependable, and quality childcare in the community. Project Team members, community leaders, and key donors gathered to commemorate the occasion, share remarks, and officially kick off construction. 

Construction Begins in Palmyra

Following the Groundbreaking Ceremony, construction crews worked to create the outline of the building, pour the building's foundation, and install the loop road. Their efficiency allowed for significant progress as the calendar flipped to 2026.

February Progress Meeting

Once the severe winter weather subsided and the ground thawed, the Project Team met to review construction progress, where they discussed upcoming checkpoints and finalized various design elements of the Club. After the meeting, some members visited the site to check out the concrete footers and the leveled ground prepared for the upcoming concrete slab installation.

Arrival of Steel Framework

While the construction crews continued to prepare the ground for the concrete slab, the arrival of the steel framework brought renewed excitement and visible momentum to the project. 

Pouring the Concrete Slab

The end of winter signaled the start of the next construction phase: pouring the concrete slab. With the slab in place and the steel on site, anticipation grew for the upcoming framework installation, when the building would begin to take shape.

Installation of Steel Framework

During the last week of March and the first week of April in 2026, construction teams installed the steel framework for the Club, marking the biggest construction milestone of this journey so far. The installation generates excitement as travelers along Highway 135 are able to see visible progress of construction. With each beam set in place, the vision of more options for affordable, accessible, and quality childcare options in northern Harrison County closer to reality.