Now that Crawfordsville's application for the Stellar Communities grant has been submitted - hand carried to Indianapolis, according to Mayor Todd Barton - many local residents are hoping the city is a winner in the grant process.
On Wednesday, Planning Director Brandy Allen said much work was done on the Stella Communities grant application. As many as 25 local groups met earlier this month in the Crawfordsville District Public Library to discuss the grant. They should know by Feb. 21 if Crawfordsville was chosen as a finalist for the grant which Greencastle received last year.
That prompted Commissioner Marvin Ramsey to ask if the City will be required to match part of the grant.
Some of the grant money could require a match, Allen said. For example, INDOT and OCRA projects sometimes require a match, she said. INDOT is the Indiana Department of Transportation and OCRA is the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
The Stellar Communities grant is partnership of three state agencies, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, OCRA and INDOT according to the state's OCRA webpage: http://www.in.gov/ocra/2513.htm.
Greencastle used its Stella Communities grant to: Revitalize the courthouse square and central business district, improve streetscapes and offer parking solutions, improve facades while preserving historical integrity of buildings, wayfinding program to support community visitors, resolve potential environmental concerns in commercial district, create a pedestrian friendly residential neighborhood, enhance housing options - second story loft housing in commercial district and new construction in South Court neighborhood, improve local quality of life, community health initiatives including new community health center and new trail linking community to recreational area, partnership with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and technology hub/Wi-fi bubble in the commercial district.
According to the Greencastle Banner-Graphic, Greencastle is expected to receive about $19 million in grants, loans and tax credits over three years.
Barton had said earlier, "We will be applying for it this year and every year until we are successful or they tell us to go away."
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