Columbus to Use $1M in Redevelopment Funds for New Animal Shelter

The city plans to move funds from airport, midtown, and central TIF districts to construct the new Animal Care Services facility.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The City of Columbus is considering spending over $1 million from city redevelopment funds to help build a new animal shelter at the local airport. The Columbus Redevelopment Commission will vote on the proposal at its meeting today, which would allocate the funds from tax increment financing (TIF) revenues collected in certain designated zones throughout the city.

Why it matters

The new animal shelter facility is seen as a key investment in the city's infrastructure and services for local residents and their pets. The use of TIF funds, which are generated from rising property values in specific districts, demonstrates how the city is leveraging redevelopment resources to finance important community projects.

The details

According to city documents, the $1 million would come from TIF revenues collected at the airport, midtown, and central districts in Columbus. The commission will also consider a contract with Milestone Design Group to provide design and engineering work for the new shelter, as well as other airport projects. Any planned spending over $500,000 must be approved by the Columbus City Council.

  • The Columbus Redevelopment Commission will consider the $1 million allocation at its meeting today, February 23, 2026.
  • The new Animal Care Services facility is planned to be constructed at the Columbus airport.

The players

Columbus Redevelopment Commission

The local government body responsible for overseeing redevelopment projects and the use of tax increment financing (TIF) funds in the city of Columbus, Indiana.

Milestone Design Group

An engineering and design firm that the city is considering hiring to provide services for the new animal shelter and other airport projects.

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What’s next

If approved by the Redevelopment Commission, the $1 million allocation will then need to be approved by the Columbus City Council before the funds can be used for the new animal shelter construction.

The takeaway

This investment in a new animal shelter facility demonstrates how the city of Columbus is leveraging its redevelopment resources to fund important community infrastructure projects that will benefit local residents and their pets.