Members of the Constellation of Starke team will move forward with projects totaling $333,000 in funding from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke to Apply for OCRA Funding for Projects
Constellation of Starke Seeking Potential Volunteers with Online Survey
Constellation of Starke is making a second attempt at gathering volunteers to help with its regional development and community improvement efforts. The group is asking residents to fill out an online survey to gauge their interest in serving on one of its subcommittees.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners Support Stellar Finalist Projects
The Starke County Commissioners held a public hearing Monday night to gather comments on the proposed projects that will benefit from the Constellation of Starke finalist money awarded in last year’s Regional Stellar Communities Designation process.
Continue readingNorth Judson Council Approves Quotes for Splash Pad Project
The Town of North Judson is finally getting a splash pad. Materials and plumbing quotes for the Norwayne Field splash pad were approved by the town council Monday. The splash pad materials will come from Rain Deck for just over $10,000, while TLC Plumbing will do that work for a little more than $27,000.
Continue readingRecreational Facility Upgrades Proposed with Constellation of Starke’s Stellar Finalist Money
Constellation of Starke is reporting positive feedback on its Regional Improvement Project. In an online community outreach event Thursday, Executive Committee Member Marty Lucas explained that the region got $333,000 for being a finalist in last year’s Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Continue readingOnline Community Outreach Event for Constellation’s Consolation Money Project to be Held Today
Starke County residents have a chance to weigh in on Constellation of Starke’s plan for its $333,000. About 60 percent of those who responded to a previous survey were in favor of sticking with physical projects, rather than redirecting it to COVID-19 response efforts, according to the region’s executive committee.
Continue readingLt. Governor Discusses Suspension of Stellar Communities Program
While Constellation of Starke’s hopes for a Stellar designation will have to wait a year, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch is optimistic that regional collaboration will continue. The designation would make Starke County and its communities eligible for millions of dollars in funding. The region was a finalist last year and was working on plans to reapply, when the program was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke Asks Residents to Complete Survey on Stellar Funding, COVID-19 Needs
Constellation of Starke is asking residents if it should redirect its $333,000 to COVID-19 response efforts.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Response Could Impact Revenues for City of Knox
The response to COVID-19 will mean some adjustments for the City of Knox. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last week that preliminary reports suggest a decrease in funding for cities, towns, and counties. “The revenue stream is going to be shorted with this, and if you look at it, our [County Economic Development Income Tax] funds, people get laid off, unemployment, that’s where it comes from,” he explained.
Continue readingStarke County Residents Share Ideas for Spending Stellar Consolation Money
A county-wide art installation, more amenities at the Starke County Forest, and a relocated shelter at Wythogan Park were a few of the ideas Starke County residents had, when it comes to figuring out how Constellation of Starke should spend its $333,000. That’s the money the region was awarded by the state for being a finalist in last year’s Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke to Host Public Input Session on Park Improvements Tuesday
Starke County residents have a chance to weigh in potential park improvements. Constellation of Starke says it’s decided to use $330,000 of the money it got for being a finalist region in last year’s Stellar Communities Designation Program on parks.
Continue readingStarke County Could Get Tiny Home Lodging, Farmers Markets under Flipping Finance Pitches
Teams of innovators tried to tackle some of Starke County’s most pressing challenges, as part of the Indiana Bond Bank’s Flipping Finance Challenge. Graduate students, experts in particular fields, and others interested in improving communities gathered in Indianapolis last week for an “18-hour design sprint.” The goal was to try to come up with creative solutions to challenges facing Starke County, Jay County, and the City of Bloomington with the chance of winning prizes.
Continue readingConstellation of Starke Region Sets Sights for 2020 Stellar Designation
The Constellation of Starke will once again be seeking Regional Stellar Community Status this year.
The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is accepting Letters of Intent until 4 p.m. ET on Friday, April 3rd.
Continue readingHamlet Park Board Discusses Memorial Path with American Legion, Territorial Engineering
Plans are being finalized for the Hamlet Town Park’s new memorial walking path. The town is teaming up with the Hamlet American Legion to build a path in memory of Robert J. Tauteris Jr.
Continue readingHelp Bring the Constellation of Starke Creatives’ Network Offline and Into the Community
Increasing the amount of art in Starke County and expanding opportunities for local creative people were a few areas of focus when executive committee members were working on the Constellation of Starke Regional Development Plan.
Community Foundation Director of Development Jessica Martinović shared one of the ways those ideas manifested last year.
Continue readingStarke County Officials Hoping to Make Visible Park Improvements with Stellar Finalist Funding
Starke County officials hope to make a visible impact on the county’s park facilities as a result of last year’s Stellar efforts. Constellation of Starke will get about $333,000 for being a finalist region in last year’s Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Continue readingHamlet Park Board Continues Planning for Memorial Walking Path
Even though Constellation of Starke wasn’t designated a Stellar Community in 2019, the Hamlet Park Board is confident that it will still be able to complete one of its projects next year.
Continue readingEconomic Development Foundation Discusses Housing Challenges with O-D School Board
Efforts to boost housing development in Starke County were shared with the Oregon-Davis School Board last week.
Continue readingStellar Community Efforts Reviewed with Starke County Park Board
Constellation of Starke executive committee members shared their insights on the outcome of their Stellar Community application with the Starke County Park Board Tuesday. The region lost out on this year’s designation to Marshall County Crossroads.
Continue readingHamlet Town Council Adopts Comprehensive Plan
Hamlet officials now have a plan in place to guide the town’s development for the next decade. A comprehensive plan was officially adopted by the town council Wednesday.
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