(Batesville, Ind.) - The City of Batesville was among 12 Indiana communities trying to become one of the state’s first two recipients of a new, lucrative grant.

The northern Ripley County city went all-out in welcoming judges with the Indiana Stellar Communities program to town last month. Marching bands, more than 100 residents, and blue stars scattered across town were meant to leave a winning impression on those judges.

However, Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman announced Monday that the coveted grants were awarded to Greencastle and North Vernon.  Each town will be on the receiving end of $31 million in investments from state agencies over three years.

Those agencies include INDOT, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Agency, and the State Revolving Fund.

Each city will have to put forward an additional $9 million in local and private funds.

“It’s important for governments to stretch every dollar as far as possible. Stellar Communities has taught us to be intentional and strategic in the way we deliver grant funding to local governments,” Lt. Governor Skillman said. “It will help our agencies collaborate more, be more efficient, and make a bigger impact with the dollars we have.”

Out of 42 communities which entered the Stellar race, Batesville finished fourth. It and other cities who did not win can re-apply in the future.

LINKS:

Hoping For Grant, Batesville Wants To Be “Stellar”

Press release from Indiana Lieutenant Gov. Becky Skillman

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Lt. Governor Becky Skillman announced today that Greencastle and North Vernon will be the pilot communities for the new multi-year, multi-million-dollar Stellar Communities program.

Stellar Communities is a first of its kind collaboration initiated by Lt. Governor Skillman between INDOT, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Agency, and the State Revolving Fund to help fund communities’ strategic plans.

“It’s important for governments to stretch every dollar as far as possible. Stellar Communities has taught us to be intentional and strategic in the way we deliver grant funding to local governments,” Lt. Governor Skillman said. “It will help our agencies collaborate more, be more efficient, and make a bigger impact with the dollars we have.”

State agencies will invest an estimated $31 million in the two communities over three years. The cities of Greencastle and North Vernon will invest an additional $9 million in local and private funds.

Forty-two communities submitted proposals to become a pilot community. After scoring the plans, the top twelve communities were asked to submit more details, and site visits were conducted by staff from each agency. Lt. Governor Skillman intends to continue Stellar Communities next year, and cities that did not win this year may re-apply for future rounds.

Lt. Governor Skillman will travel to Greencastle for a celebration ceremony on Thursday. Its plan will revitalize the downtown area; link the city more closely with DePauw University; and improve the quality of life through new initiatives in health, the arts, and technology.

“Stellar Communities will allow us to improve our city in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible,” Greencastle Mayor Susan Murray said. “With this help, we will create the next great college town in Indiana.”

North Vernon, the only city between Muscatatuck Urban Training Center and Interstate 65, will use their funds to become an economic hub for the defense industry. Planned improvements include a new event center, a pedestrian plaza, improvements to the Irish Hill neighborhood, and creating more commercial opportunities on Main Street. Lt. Governor Skillman will hold a celebration in North Vernon on Friday.

“Our region is not able to take full advantage of Muscatatuck without a vibrant North Vernon,” Mayor Harold “Soup” Campbell said. “Without Stellar Communities, we would certainly lose out on millions of dollars of economic activity.”

Funding for the initiatives comes from multiple existing federal funds. State agencies will continue to offer grant programs to local units of government not participating in Stellar Communities.

Details on the community celebrations will be announced later this week.

Greencastle Fact Sheet

Greencastle has proposed quality of life improvements which integrate the cultural and intellectual assets of their city and position the city as a regional center for economic development. 

Main Goals

Revitalize 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

Technology hub/Wi-fi bubble in commercial district

North Vernon Fact Sheet

Improvements proposed by North Vernon will continue their efforts to create an economic hub for the defense sector, which gives new opportunities and improves quality of life for local residents, as well as making the community more strategically placed for business and residential attraction.

Main Goals

Arvin Redevelopment site – 3.5 Acre Brownfield site, clearing the way for private investment

Carnegie Library Restoration

Depot Events Center Renovation

Project will convert historic train depot into social center for community events

Downtown Streetscapes

New sidewalks, curbs, landscaping, lighting, signage, and wayfinding

Irish Hill Revitalization

Historic Uptown Streetscape improvements near Irish Hill neighborhood

Creation of 17 properties to serve low- to moderate-income residents

Short Street Plaza

Close Short Street to construct pedestrian-friendly plaza space

Main Street Development – mixed use for both commercial and residential