Constellation of Starke is asking residents if it should redirect its $333,000 to COVID-19 response efforts.
The region had been looking at using the consolation money from last year’s Stellar Communities Designation Program for park improvements or possibly a county-wide art installation. But with the Stellar program on hold this year, Constellation of Starke is turning its attention to addressing needs that arise from the COVID-19 crisis, as well as setting up various subcommittees.
The group’s executive committee has created a 10-question survey, asking how the funding should be spent, in what ways people may want to get involved, and what the best ways are to stay in touch. Results will be reviewed on Thursday. Plans are also in the works to move the second public engagement meeting on how to use the funding online.
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has suspended Stellar Communities and many of its usual grant programs for 2020. Instead, it plans to offer funding through a COVID-19 Response Program.
