Crowdfunding campaigns launched for Hartford City, Lebanon projects 

Hartford City and Lebanon look to improve their towns through new fundraising efforts with the help of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places Program. The cities seek to raise a total of $60,000 and could receive a match from the agency.

This week Hartford City launched its “Light Up Hartford City” crowdfunding campaign that looks to expand its downtown holiday light displays. Lebanon launched its own campaign called “Alley-Oop” that aims to transform an unused alley into a space that celebrates the community’s basketball history. 

Hartford City’s campaign looks to raise $10,000, while Lebanon’s campaign has a goal of $50,000. Both goals will be matched with a grant from the IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program if the target number is achieved. 

Hartford City aims to attract tourists as well as locals by making its downtown a holiday celebration destination. The funding will be will be used to add more than 30 seasonal light displays for the winter, fall and Fourth of July.

“We’re thrilled to see this vision for Hartford City put into action,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “CreatINg Places is a fantastic program that has benefited communities across the state. The addition of light displays around the city will delight visitors and residents alike for years to come.”

The Lebanon project will renovate an alley that nonprofit Heart of Lebanon says will connect the city’s Main Street with the Memorial Gymnasium and honor Lebanon’s basketball history. At the end of the alley, visitors will have an opportunity to take a seat at black metal table and chairs under gold umbrellas and share their own basketball stories. 

The nonprofit says added elements will respect the historic features of Lebanon’s courthouse square, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, and will celebrate the city’s vibrant basketball heritage.

“This alley activation project is another great way to bring a new experience and fun activity for those visiting our downtown,” said Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry. “We are excited that the Heart of Lebanon is taking on this venture and turning a vacated alley into something the community can utilize and enjoy.”

Since the “CreatINg Places” program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $7.8 million in public funds and an additional $6.6 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply.