North Vernon seeking show of support for grant application

North Vernon is looking for your help so the city can secure an up to $2 million grant to improve the downtown area.

According to North Vernon Main Street, the city hopes to secure the PreservINg Main Street grant which could be used to protect the downtown through a show of community support.

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith made the announcement last month that North Vernon and Pendleton were the finalists for the this year’s awards. Beckwith said that the program gives “local leaders the support and resources they need to preserve Hoosier history and keep main streets growing and thriving.”

The winning community will receive up to $2 million through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Community Development Block Grant program. The program also partners with Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks to provide capacity-building opportunities for the winning city.

The two finalist communities are receiving an in-person site visit this month from a selection committee. The committee will include representatives from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, along with staff from Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks. The community selected for the PreservINg Main Street designation will be announced on Sept. 22.

The selection committee will be in town this week and organizers are looking for your help to make the case for the award. The city will be looking for residents to provide their personal stories, memories and words of encouragement either through letters or attending a public meeting Tuesday afternoon with the selection committee.

The meeting will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at 50 Short Street and will include a presentation on revitalizing the local community.

You can register for the meeting here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/preserving-main-street-presentation-tickets-1644854497079

You can find a sample letter of support here: