OCRA PR



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




Aug. 20, 2019





La PorteandSullivan named INspireIdea Competition recipients

*SOUTH BEND (Aug. 20, 2019) *Today, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced theLa Porte Economic Advancement Partnershipand theHeart of Sullivan Main Street organizations as recipients of theINspireIdea competition at the Great Lakes Regional Main Street Conference.

It was exciting tosee the creative ideas that came out of our Main Street organizations," said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. "These projectsdemonstrated a definite need, but will also improve quality of life for residents and visitors to these areas.

The goal of the competition was to encourage the Indiana Main Street network of communities and professionals to present inspiring and imaginative downtown revitalization projects. The selected recipients will receive a $5,000 grant to help implement the project.

The goal ofLa Porte Economic Advancement Partnership [ [link removed] ]s project is to improve the quality of downtown infrastructure, while reinforcing community volunteerism and involvement. The project, titled" "Paint the Town,"" will be a series of service projects for community members to revamp and aesthetically improve the downtown area. Volunteers will repaint faded light poles, wash storefront windows, install pet waste stations and repair and paint benches and trash receptacles. New wayfinding signage will also be installed to help direct residents and visitors to downtown attractions, and inform pedestrians of their Main Street community status.

The Heart of Sullivan [ [link removed] ] hosts many projects and events to aid in the revitalization of the downtown area. Their project would develop a greenspace located in the heart of the downtown area.The greenspace will serve as a welcoming gateway, while providing a gathering spot for residents and visitors. The area will includethe followingamenities: seating,handicap accessible tables, giant checkers, hopscotch, a Lego wall and cornhole boards. The spacewill be used tohost projects and events to aid indowntownrevitalization.

It was also announced that the 2020 Great Lakes Regional Main Street Conference will be held in Downtown Royal Oak, Michigan.

For more informationon the conference and the INspire Idea Competition, visitwww.in.gov/ocra/2956.htm [ [link removed] ].

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"Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, [ [link removed] ] who also serves as the Secretary of Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov. [ [link removed] ]"





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Melissa Thomas
Office of Community and Rural Affairs
<[email protected]>[email protected]
(317) 727-7682
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