Starke County is getting $50,000 to develop ways to expand broadband access. Starke and Marshall counties were among five rural Indiana communities awarded a Broadband Readiness Planning Grant.
The State of Indiana hopes to encourage collaboration with this year’s round of Stellar Community designations. Each year since 2011, the program has designated two cities or towns as Stellar Communities, making them eligible for millions of dollars in seed money from the state and federal government, to improve quality of life. This year, the state’s taking a slightly different approach, picking two regions, instead.
A technical change is being considered for Culver’s proposed Cavalier Sports Park. The project would upgrade a piece of property owned by the Culver Community Schools Corporation that’s currently used for youth soccer fields, as one of the town’s Stellar Communities projects. Planned improvements include restrooms, a concession stand, a walking trail, and more parking.
Culver Town Council President Ginny Bess Munroe told the town council members last week that she had the chance to help county officials with a letter of intent to seek Stellar status.
The Medaryville Town Council continues planning for a new water tower. Last week, representatives from Commonwealth Engineers reviewed the different types of water towers with council members, and made some recommendations for replacing the town’s current one, according to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood.
The Francesville Fire Station may soon need some concrete repairs. Clerk-Treasurer Linda Bennett says the topic was discussed during Monday’s town council meeting. “In the fire department bay and at the back approaches, the concrete is cracking and sinking,” she explains, “so we’re going to get bids to see what it’ll cost to fix it.”
The Town of Winamac is moving ahead with efforts to get funding for wastewater plant upgrades. The town plans to apply for $700,000 in federal funds, available as part of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ Wastewater/Drinking Water Program.
The Town of Medaryville is moving ahead with the purchase of land for a new water tower. The town council voted Wednesday to buy the property across the street from the town hall for a cost of $7,500, according to Clerk-Treasurer Judy Harwood.
Winamac’s water rates will soon be going up. As part of the financial arrangements for the town’s $1.5 million water project, the town council Monday approved a nine-percent increase, or a hike of $3.71 for an average residential customer.
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs recently announced $15 million in Community Development Block Grants.
Thirty-one rural communities received funds in an effort to ensure health and safety, and to improve the quality of life of citizens.
Starke County was the recipient of a $500,000 Public Facilities Program Grant. The county will use the grant funds to replace the elevator at the Starke County Courthouse. The project will help the county meet requirements put forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The new elevator will assist all residents in utilizing the offices on all levels of the courthouse. Continue reading
Upgrades to the Starke County Courthouse elevator are a step closer to moving ahead. The county commissioners voted Monday to submit a grant application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, after they sent in a letter of intent last month.
The North Judson Town Council will hold a public hearing tonight on proposed water and sewer upgrades. The town plans to pursue a loan through the State Revolving Fund, as well as grant funding from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, to rehabilitate the two water towers, add a well, and upgrade the existing well pumps, among other improvements.
The proposed Yellow River access site at Range Road has missed the boat for a Place Based Investment grant. Now, the Starke County Park Board may turn to crowdgranting, to keep the project alive.
North Judson residents will have a chance to weigh in on proposed water and sewer upgrades. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the town hall, before the regular town council meeting at 6:30. It’s a required step before the town can pursue financing for the projects.
The Town of Medaryville is working on plans for a new water tower. According to officials in the clerk-treasurer’s office, the plan is to build the water tower across the street from the town hall, on land currently owned by the Diocese of Lafayette. During a special session Friday, the town council voted to make an official offer to buy the two parcels for $6,000.
The Winamac Town Council has approved some of the financial arrangements for planned water upgrades. The town’s already gotten a $550,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, for new well facilities and other improvements.
The North Judson Town Council is taking steps to upgrade the town’s water infrastructure. Council members voted Monday to proceed with a plan to rehabilitate the two water towers, add a well, and upgrade the existing well pumps, among other improvements.
The North Judson Town Council has taken the first step toward upgrading the town’s wastewater infrastructure.
Pulaski County’s efforts to create a system of bike routes are moving ahead. The project has been in the works for over a year, as part of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ Hometown Collaboration Initiative. But progress was delayed, while the county waited for permission to run the bike routes on state highways.
The Starke County Park Board hopes to bring more visitors to the Yellow River with state grant funding. Carolla Heilstedt plans to coordinate efforts to improve the county’s Yellow River access site at Range Road.
