A plan to help some county residents renovate their homes earned approval from Montgomery County Commissioners.
Ryan Keller, chief executive officer of THRIVE West Central Housing, presented a plan Monday to local leaders that could low- to moderate-income homeowners, including seniors, help rehabilitate their homes in Montgomery County.
Keller asked commissioners to allow his organization to apply for an Office of Community Rural Affairs grant. The amount of the available grant is $500,000 and includes a 10% match from the county. An additional application fee of $5,000 would bring the county’s total cost to $55,000 if the grant is awarded.
“We feel this new OCRA grant is an opportunity for low- to medium-income residents and seniors who need help in rehabbing their homes,” Keller said. “We feel this is a great program to kick off our efforts in Montgomery County.”
Montgomery County joined six other counties in 2023 to provide economic development initiatives through THRIVE. The organization has been successful in communities such as Terre Haute where the housing division has drastically improved housing inventory within Vigo County.
Commissioners are enthusiastic about being a member of THRIVE and approved the request from Keller to move forward with the grant application.
“This program is an example of why we wanted to join six other counties under the THRIVE banner,” Commissioner John Frey said. “If we get this grant it will help people who need it and improve our housing valuations.”
The OCRA grant application deadline is Aug. 16.
Commissioners also approved the annual Partnership Planning Program with THRIVE. The program will help implement the county’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy which is required by several federal agencies for project funding. The cost to the county is $16,084. All seven counties in THRIVE will pay into the program with fees determined by population.
An ordinance to establish the Redevelopment Commission Non-TIF General Fund was approved. The county council has appropriated $500,000 to the fund further economic development throughout the county.
The Montgomery County Probation Department presented an ordinance for a Juvenile Community Alternative Grant Program in the amount of $30,600. The grant provides funding for detention alternatives and different levels of electronic home monitoring. Commissioners approved the ordinance on second reading.
Montgomery County Highway Department Director Jacob Lough received permission to advertise the bridge scour project for county bridges numbered 9, 14, 25, 29, 127, 134, 136, 174 and 197.
The work to be completed includes rehabilitating the riff raff at each bridge to battle erosion.
The engineers estimate is $700,000 and bids have a deadline of Sept. 6.
