(Batesville, IN) – Groundbreaking was held Thursday evening to kick off construction of Kids Discovery Factory’s new children’s museum in downtown Batesville.
“Today is an incredible day for Southeastern Indiana, and every child who will walk through the doors of this future museum. Today, we’re not just breaking ground on a building, we’re breaking ground on an opportunity. This is where imaginations will meet innovation; where children will explore, experiment, and discover the power of their own ideas,” said KDF Executive Director Emili Uden.
“When Kids Discovery Factory first began, we dreamed of a place where children could learn through play. A place that reflected our community spirit of creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration,” Uden added. “Over the years with summer camps, mobile exhibits, and partnerships across 15 counties, that dream has grown stronger, and today, it becomes real.”
The expansion is made possible through support from the City of Batesville, Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant funding from the Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI) Regional Development Authority, Batesville Tool & Die’s building donation, and contributions from individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
The Napoleon State Bank and FCN Bank provided Kids Discovery Factory construction financing.
The estimated total cost of the project is $5.4 million.
The 10-thousand square foot museum and hands-on learning center is expected to reopen in mid-2026. It will be open six days a week and offer family memberships, year-round educational programs, school visits, community events, and hands-on STEAM experiences for families that KDF leaders say will impact tens of thousands of people across Southeastern Indiana every year.
