The Marshall County Commissioners have unanimously agreed to put their support behind the Stellar Community application for Culver with an in-kind offer to pave 1-mile of the proposed walk/bike path.
During their meeting on Monday Ginny Munroe and Kevin Berger explained the program that was started in 2011. The program uses multiple agency partnerships and is specifically designated to Indiana’s smaller communities that have identified comprehensive community projects. The Stellar Communities Designation Program provides resources for quality of place community improvements.
Munroe explained the major projects: The Sand Hill Farm Workforce Housing Project is the number one priority providing residential housing in an effort to increase population. It targets the middle income population in the first phase while the second phase would include income based housing.
The Beach Lodge Renovation Project includes a major facelift to make it a year-round community center. Munroe said projects have already been started on the beach lodge including roofing, flooring and foundation leaks at an estimated $50,000.
The final project is the Lake Max Bike and Pedestrian Trail. This 10 foot wide shared path will connect the lake, park, Lake Shore Drive, Main Street and Culver Academies. While the first phase is a one mile long portion their ambition is to eventually connect the trail to other communities including Monterey, Plymouth and Rochester and eventually take it around Lake Maxinkuckee.
Understanding the need to show commitment to Culver’s Stellar application, the county commissioners to pave one mile of the trail if Culver is successful in the grant application process.
It should be noted that Culver was a top three finalist in 2016 and is again one of three communities up for the smaller community, less than 5,999 in population for the second year. They are competing this year against Churubusco and Union City.
The Stellar Committee will conduct an on-site visit on October 5th and about two weeks later the grant announcement award is expected.
