Shelbyville one of six finalists for Stellar Communities grant

The Stellar designation is awarded “... to support community planning and development initiatives,” according to a news release from Holcomb’s office. 

While not a grant program itself, the Stellar designation can facilitate grant funding for community economic development and quality of life projects and open the door to possibly millions of dollars in grants for the city.

Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun was delighted by the news but noted there’s more work to do as the city is waiting on word from the state about the next steps.

“We’ll find out requirements, deadlines, that sort of thing,” DeBaun said.

There’ll be more meetings and a public hearing is required, he said, plus the city is waiting on cost estimates on some projects.

As a finalist, Shelbyville will receive a small planning grant to create new proposals or flesh out existing projects, partnerships and proposed funding sources. 

Representatives from the Stellar team, composed of the state agencies involved in the program, will make site visits and evaluate the proposals of the finalist communities. 

Winners in each of two divisions will be announced later this summer, according to the news release.

Shelbyville is competing against Rushville and Warsaw in Division 1.

Corydon, Culver and Union City are the Division 2 communities.