The CIB was created as a standing group of leaders who strategically choose projects to advance the economic vitality of the community. The CIB's primary guiding principle is to invest in projects and opportunities that will create economic tourism, a more robust quality of life, and advance West Central Indiana. The Vigo County Commissioners passed an ordinance in 2016 establishing the CIB as a seven-member board, with no more than four of the seven members to be affiliated with the same political party. The County has four CIB appointments, and the City of Terre Haute has three appointments.

Community members that comprise the CIB include Duke Bennett, Terre Haute Mayor, President of the CIB; Jon Marvel, Former President of the CIB; David Patterson, Executive Director of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau Board; Chris Switzer, Vigo County Commissioner; Emily Crapo, Director of Operations at Morris Trucking Corporations; Terri Conley, Senior VP and Senior Credit Officer at Terre Haute Savings Bank; and Bernice Helman, Broker and Regional VP of Indiana at Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group.