Press release from Rep. Jud McMillin
(Brookville, Ind.) - Rep. Jud McMillin (R-Brookville) aided Franklin County in securing a Place Based Investment Fund Grant. Franklin County is one of nine recipients of the new Place Based Investment Fund grant program launched by Lt. Governor Skillman. The program is designed to fund community and economic development projects to enhance Indiana cities and towns.
In an effort to win this grant, special meetings of the Franklin County Economic Development Corporation, the Town of Brookville, the Franklin County Community Foundation, the Franklin County Convention Recreation and Visitor’s Center, Main Street, and the Brookville Foundation were held. The meetings were dedicated to Rep. McMillin’s request for financial support by local community groups to meet the requirements of this grant matching opportunity. These groups, along with FCN Bank, and other local businesses came together to financially support this cause.
“Of the 1.5 million visitors that drive through the heart of Brookville annually, we do a poor job of stopping them and getting foot traffic in our community,” said Rep. McMillin. “We must find ways to capture more tourism dollars to increase local revenues. Winning this award is a great start to making our town more beautiful and driving tourism.”
The new Place Based Investment Fund is a joint effort between the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The state is investing $400,000 to fund "quality of place" initiatives across Indiana. Franklin County will receive the max amount of $50,000, because local community groups committed to matching that dollar amount.
“The return on investment for these groups who contributed will be phenomenal and will create a lasting impact,” said Rep. McMillin. “We are making Brookville a better place to live now and, even more importantly, for the next generation.”
The grants are to be used to target “quality of place” initiatives to improve both the living and the tourism experience in a community. There are three outlined projects in the Brookville Community that have been approved where the funds will be directed:
Construct a Riverscape project on East Fork of the Whitewater River in the town park.
Create a Whitewater River overlook with seating and future river access along Progress Street between 4th and 5th street.
Purchase decorative and informational pieces to be used on Main Street in Brookville.
“I am immensely pleased that the community came together for such a noteworthy and needed cause,” said Rep. McMillin. “The downtown and riverfront revitalization project will make Brookville more attractive to residents and visitors alike. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a sustained movement to make our community a more attractive and vibrant place.”
