Talks continue for proposed Boys & Girls Club in North Vernon

Talks continue for a proposed Boys & Girls Club in the North Vernon area. Kelly Hatton, president of the Jennings County Youth Foundation, approached the North Vernon City Council at its April 8th meeting to ask for help. Hatton says the JCYF has been planning and raising money for four years for the project. She also asked that the city apply for a community development block grant from the state to help funding efforts. A government entity must be the lead applicant for such a grant.

The council met again this week. Shawn Gerkin, the city’s clerk-treasurer, met with grant writers from Administrative Resources Association prior to the meeting. ARA explained that these block grants are highly competitive and that it would not be advantageous to apply until a site for the club is found. The next opportunity to apply for such a grant is in the fall.

Council voted to approve a resolution to support the project, short of committing funds.