Seeking state funding for community projects is an extremely competitive process for cities, towns, and counties. Agencies that I oversee have administered hundreds of millions in grants and awards in recent years. We have seen numerous communities develop impressive strategic plans, including Angola. I wanted to see first hand the fruition of the city’s great ideas.
 |
| Lt. Governor Skillman talks to local leaders in Angola about their downtown revitalization efforts. |
Driving into downtown, I immediately noticed the beautiful campus of Trine University. It is a great luxury to have a resource for higher education right in your own backyard. It has been a few years since I was last in Angola’s downtown circle. I could feel the buzz the moment I opened my car door. People were enjoying the numerous storefronts, the old brick courthouse that exudes the American spirit, and the convenience of having the city’s offices close by.
Mayor Hickman met me on the side walk, and we headed upstairs to the council chambers to talk with local leaders about future community and economic development plans. Local leaders have been hard at work to compete for state grants for Steuben County. Since 2005, $72.6 million has been distributed to the county through the offices of the Lt. Governor. The awards have been for housing development, downtown revitalization, energy grants, and planning grants.
Mayor Hickman met me on the side walk, and we headed upstairs to the council chambers to talk with local leaders about future community and economic development plans. Local leaders have been hard at work to compete for state grants for Steuben County. Since 2005, $72.6 million has been distributed to the county through the offices of the Lt. Governor. The awards have been for housing development, downtown revitalization, energy grants, and planning grants.
Angola officials have won $1,340,000 in grants, a good portion of that has been invested in downtown revitalization projects. As the mayor and local leaders will tell you, the southwest side of the downtown circle is the final stage of the revitalization efforts. They want to upgrade the street lights, window fronts, and sidewalks. By fixing the curbs and sidewalks they hope to increase public safety. This will bring their downtown economic development plan full circle, no pun intended. It is easy to see how they have accomplished so much in a short period of time; local leaders understand the importance of collaboration. I left Steuben County feeling rewarded, knowing that this community is working together to put grant money to good use.
No comments:
Post a Comment