This past summer the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority awarded the Historic Downtown Program with a $100,000 RECAP 2.0 grant to be used “for the purpose of promoting community and economic development in Indiana through the development of commercial and residential space and related improvements in the community’s main street corridor.”  The State requires this grant to be matched.  Through the generosity of the Rising Sun Regional Foundation and the City of Rising Sun, they both have given $50,000 to be used as the match for RECAP 2.0.  This equals at least $200,000 improvements in our downtown.

This grant is to be used on facades.  To be eligible for the grant there are three requirements.  First, the building has to be in the MSB-1 district which is described as follows:  the north side of Second Street from the south side of Fourth Street between the east side of Mulberry Street to the west side of Front Street.  Second, the proposed project must consist of allowable façade improvements or allowable predevelopment activities.  Third, the proposed property does not have any delinquent taxes.

Some of the targeted items for facades in Rising Sun are as follows, but not limited to:  Repair/Repaint/Clean/Replace Windows, Doors, and Decorative Detail; Tuck Pointing; Exposing Boarded Windows; Removal of Window Air Conditioners Exposed on the Street; Opening Original Storefront/Door Area; and Stabilization of Existing Buildings.  The State and a local Advisory Appearance Review Committee will approve all changes to the façade.

All INSURED contractors can give their information to the Historic Downtown Program, so they can be updated for all the bidding.

The Historic Downtown Program will be administering this grant.  Please 812.438.2750, e-mail downtownrisingsun@orvcomm.com, or stop in the office 103 South Walnut Street for an application.  The application is only one page and the office staff is here to help. The deadline for the first round is March 25, 2009.