April 3, 2015 at 5:18 p.m.
State delays Stellar grant announcement
Dunkirk awaits answer Tuesday
Local officials were hoping today they would be celebrating Dunkirk’s status as a finalist for Stellar Communities grant funding. They’ll have to wait a few more days to find out if it made the list.
The state sent applicants an email Thursday, when finalists were scheduled to be announced, letting them know the notification would be delayed until Tuesday.
Dunkirk is seeking $2.6 million in grants and tax credits to be used for projects including a senior housing complex and relocation of the city’s library and glass museum.
“It seems like all we do is sit and wait,” said Dunkirk Mayor Dan Watson. “There’s not much you can do I guess. You’re just at their mercy.”
“I’ve been kind of wound tight all week anyways waiting on it,” added Jay County community development director Ami Huffman, who worked with the city on its application. “Of course being anxious and wanting to get things ready for Dunkirk … I was disappointed about not knowing today, but at least now we know it’ll be Tuesday.”
Dunkirk, which is making its third attempt for grant funding through the Stellar program administered by the Indiana Office for Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), is one of 12 applicants this year. There are two divisions — cities with populations of more and less than 6,000 — with six applicants in each.
Three finalists will be chosen for each division.
“I feel pretty positive about it,” said Huffman. “I really feel like Dunkirk is in the top 50 percent of any group, especially population 6,000 or below. ... That’s why I’m anxious. I want to get started.”
If Dunkirk is selected as a finalist preparations will begin for the next stage of the process, which includes a visit from state officials. The winner in each division will be announced at the state fair in August.
The largest part of Dunkirk’s proposal is Crown Crossing Senior Housing Development, which it has been pursuing in conjunction with Buckeye Community Hope Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. The $3.4 million complex, including 28 units, a courtyard, social hall and other amenities would be built on the west side of Main Street between Center Street and the railroad tracks.
The city also wants to move the library and glass museum from the current Washington Street site to the Stewart Brothers building on Main Street.
The state sent applicants an email Thursday, when finalists were scheduled to be announced, letting them know the notification would be delayed until Tuesday.
Dunkirk is seeking $2.6 million in grants and tax credits to be used for projects including a senior housing complex and relocation of the city’s library and glass museum.
“It seems like all we do is sit and wait,” said Dunkirk Mayor Dan Watson. “There’s not much you can do I guess. You’re just at their mercy.”
“I’ve been kind of wound tight all week anyways waiting on it,” added Jay County community development director Ami Huffman, who worked with the city on its application. “Of course being anxious and wanting to get things ready for Dunkirk … I was disappointed about not knowing today, but at least now we know it’ll be Tuesday.”
Dunkirk, which is making its third attempt for grant funding through the Stellar program administered by the Indiana Office for Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), is one of 12 applicants this year. There are two divisions — cities with populations of more and less than 6,000 — with six applicants in each.
Three finalists will be chosen for each division.
“I feel pretty positive about it,” said Huffman. “I really feel like Dunkirk is in the top 50 percent of any group, especially population 6,000 or below. ... That’s why I’m anxious. I want to get started.”
If Dunkirk is selected as a finalist preparations will begin for the next stage of the process, which includes a visit from state officials. The winner in each division will be announced at the state fair in August.
The largest part of Dunkirk’s proposal is Crown Crossing Senior Housing Development, which it has been pursuing in conjunction with Buckeye Community Hope Foundation of Columbus, Ohio. The $3.4 million complex, including 28 units, a courtyard, social hall and other amenities would be built on the west side of Main Street between Center Street and the railroad tracks.
The city also wants to move the library and glass museum from the current Washington Street site to the Stewart Brothers building on Main Street.
Downtown lighting and Safe Routes to Schools are included as part of the Stellar Grant application as well.
Dunkirk failed to make the finalist list in both 2013 and 2014. Portland was a finalist in 2011, when Greencastle and North Vernon were selected as winners.
“Everybody seems to think we’ve got a good shot at it,” said Watson. “I don’t know. I don’t know how to gauge it. I figure if they go on our projects, we’ve got a pretty good chance. …
“I think we’ve got as good a shot as any, and probably better now that they’ve broken it down (into two divisions). I can’t imagine there’s any community that is situated the way we are.”
Dunkirk failed to make the finalist list in both 2013 and 2014. Portland was a finalist in 2011, when Greencastle and North Vernon were selected as winners.
“Everybody seems to think we’ve got a good shot at it,” said Watson. “I don’t know. I don’t know how to gauge it. I figure if they go on our projects, we’ve got a pretty good chance. …
“I think we’ve got as good a shot as any, and probably better now that they’ve broken it down (into two divisions). I can’t imagine there’s any community that is situated the way we are.”
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