Stellar Projects ‘Exceeding Expectations’ in Princeton
The city of Princeton is moving forward with $22 million in stellar community efforts. Projects include the renovation of the former Princeton Theater, trail system improvements and downtown façade upgrades. Coalition of Southwest Indiana Community Development Director Debbie Bennett-Stearsman says Princeton “will be a leader” in showing the program can benefit Indiana. The Gibson County city was named a Stellar Community in 2012. Bennett-Stearsman says the projects will help Princeton become a “destination,” and will help employers such as Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. attract talent.
August 1, 2013
Progress Report From The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana
Recently, the City of Princeton celebrated the renovation kick-off of the former Princeton Theater hosting an event to share the future theater design with the community. The theatre will house the Gibson County Theatre Company and serve a dual function as a community center as well. “The City was awarded $3.4 million to renovate the building matched with $600,000 in local funding.” said Debbie Bennett-Stearsman, Coalition V.P. of Community Development. “This project is one from the $22 million stellar program awarded to the City of Princeton last year. Our team is currently working on other projects including finalizing the Princeton downtown plan and the application for the Bicentennial Park.”
Project Updates:
The Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA) will announce CFF grant awards on August 30, 2013. The New Harmony (Posey County) storm water and Francisco (Gibson County) water improvement projects are two projects the Coalition has submitted on behalf of the communities.
An OCRA Disaster non-competitive grant application for improvements to Oakland City’s (Gibson County) new and old lake dams will be submitted later this year in the sum of $900,000.
A Coalition Brownfield grant for $580,000 will be submitted on behalf of Southwest Indiana to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) later this year. If funded, the grant will assist in the identification, assessment and prioritization of regional brownfield sites for potential clean-up and redevelopment.
“Southwest Indiana has a great need for these types of projects to enhance our communities and to improve the quality of life for residents and for future economic ventures,” stated Bennett-Stearsman.
Source: Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana