Millions Available Through Grant Programs
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowTwo Indiana grant programs are accepting funding applications. The efforts involve career training opportunities and neighborhood improvement projects near Indianapolis waterways. September 15, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Works Councils and the Center for Education & Career Innovation (CECI) announce the opening of the second cycle of applications for grant funding for Innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) Curricula. Approximately $1.3 million in grant funds are available. The grants are designed to encourage innovative and collaborative career and technical training opportunities for Hoosier students, working in conjunction with the 11 regional Works Councils around the state.
In July, Governor Mike Pence announced the first cycle of grant awards of just over $3 million for new Innovative CTE Curricula. The grant funds provided by the Indiana General Assembly required a 3:1 match to private investments, meaning that the grantee will receive $3 in grant funding for each $1 of private investment match. Exceeding that expectation, Hoosier businesses stepped up regionally to provide more than $4 million in matching funding and in-kind services to support the first grant awards.
These public/private partnerships expand new approaches toward certifications, dual credits and internship offerings designed to align with local business needs.
“Our first round of innovative curriculum grants saw wide engagement among education, business and workforce leaders, and we’re grateful for the high level of commitment for new programming that will expand hands-on opportunities for our students,” said Governor Pence. “We know the second round of applicants will be equally committed to creating new collaborative ideas for innovative career and technical education options to better prepare Hoosiers for their futures.”
The Indiana Works Councils bring together more than 160 educational, workforce, and business and industry leaders to evaluate local landscapes for educational programming, business needs, and potential skills gaps between the two. Created by the 2013 General Assembly at the request of Governor Mike Pence, the Works Councils further Governor Pence's ideals of technical training options that encourage students to achieve a personal career “Plan A” which provides opportunity for success whether they want to go to college, learn a trade, or start a career right out of high school.
Previously awarded grants are preparing students for careers in health care, advanced manufacturing, logistics, automation, robotics, entrepreneurship, welding and machining and include curriculum partners such as Chrysler, Ivy Tech, Conexus, Purdue University, Nucor Steel, Honda, IU Health, Kimball, Toyota, Jasper Engines, SIA, Caterpillar, and Vincennes University. First-round grant recipients can be found at http://www.in.gov/irwc/2362.htm
“The business community recognized the value in these educational partnerships and exceeded expectations during cycle 1 through their commitment,” said Jackie Dowd, the governor’s special assistant for career innovation. “The Works Councils look forward to more successful collaborations during the second cycle that enhance students’ learning experiences and overall workforce skills in their respective communities.”
Grant applications are available at www.in.gov/irwc/2362.htm and the deadline to submit grant proposals for the second cycle is January 2, 2015. The maximum grant award is $350,000 per project.
Source: The Indiana Works Councils, Center for Education & Career InnovationSeptember 15, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) and Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) are seeking proposals for neighborhood improvement projects near Indy waterways. Organizations may apply for a total of $1.16 million, which has been contributed by Community Development Building Grants ($1 million) and Reconnecting Our Waterways ($160,000). Six Indy waterways are slated for projects, including Fall Creek, Little Eagle Creek, Pogue's Run, Pleasant Run, Central Canal and White River.
“This is a unique opportunity to use creative place making to leverage public and private resources that create dynamic destinations where our city needs them the most,” said DMD Director Adam Thies. “We also wanted to support efforts to use arts and culture with diverse partners to strategically shape the physical and social character of a place in order to spur economic development of our greatest assets – our waterways.”
The goal of the initiative is to strengthen waterways, spur economic development, eliminate blight and enhance the quality of life for Indianapolis neighborhoods.
Proposals should include the following:
-Artistic, beautiful and welcoming access points to waterways that would be within a 10 minute walk or a 20 minute bike ride on dedicated, well maintained paths sidewalks and bike lanes,
-Zones for active play to promote health and wellness, and
-Waterway improvements that create opportunities for economic growth for adjacent neighborhoods.
Community Development Block Grants
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development awards the city funding annually for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
This funding is intended to ensure decent affordable housing for all, provide services to the most vulnerable members of our community, create jobs and expand business opportunities. CDBG funding provides a wide array of housing and social services, such as low-income home repair, public facility construction and rehabilitation, demolition of unsafe structures, and public services. The program is an important tool in helping tackle the city's most serious community challenges.
Reconnecting to Our Waterways
ROW is a grassroots initiative designed to reclaim the benefits of Indianapolis' waterways; to provide opportunities for physical, human, and economic development. It's about helping neighbors strengthen waterways, and in turn, helping waterways strengthen neighborhoods.
In 2013, ROW received $1.35 million over three years from the Kresge Foundation. This funding aims to help support ROW's overall work as well as seed “creative placemaking” projects that will be catalysts for long-term neighborhood development. In May, ROW awarded $210,000 for projects along Fall Creek and Pleasant Run. Another $160,000 will be available for projects in this second round of 2014 Kresge Creative Placemaking funding. Additional funding will be available for projects in 2015 and 2016.
The City and ROW combined grant funding and applications to encourage proposals that best leverage both funding goals.
For more information or to download an application, visit www.indy.gov/DMD or www.ourwaterways.org.
Applications are due October 10, 2014. Awards will be announced by October 31. All projects must be completed in 2015.
Source: The Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, Reconnecting to Our Waterways