Thursday, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced that 17 rural Hoosier communities receive more than $10.5 million in federal grant funding.
“These collaborations between federal, state and local partners are improving the lives of Hoosiers across the state and strengthening community pride,” Crouch said. “ I applaud this round’s local leadership for their commitment to bettering their communities, as well as their tremendous use of partnerships to address a challenge.”
In our area the was awarded $500,000 to renovate a 1930’s barn into a community center.
The project creates a 4,500 square foot facility that can accommodate up to 200 people for a variety of community and social programs and events.
This is also the grant opportunity the City of Plymouth had applied for on behalf of the REES. They were seeing $500,000 for assist with phase four of the renovation project which would include the interior improvements.
Randy Danielson and Donna Pontius, Co-chairs of The REES Project Committee said in a release, “It was announced this morning by Lt. Governor Crouch those communities receiving funding for community projects and as you may know, The REES Project did not make that list. There is disappointment in the receipt of this news but resolve in continuing to move forward.
The REES remains a hallmark project for Plymouth that will directly impact the Marshall County region both in quality of life and economic impact. We are happy to see that our neighboring community of Lakeville will share in this round of funding for a community center.
The Rees Project Committee will be meeting this coming Tuesday evening to review our options for grant funding. Financial support from citizens and businesses continue and for that we are most appreciative.
Our focus on completion of Phase III work this fall will ensure the building is stable and for years protected from further decay in preparation for the interior build-out.”
The state of Indiana distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects such as: infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development.
“We’re thrilled to support such a diverse array of projects in cities and towns throughout rural Indiana,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “Communities with reliable infrastructure are positioned for growth and an improved quality of life.”
