Batesville, In. — The Ripley County Community Foundation is using the Sally Morris Community Impact Grants to support downtown revitalization. Each year the RCCF Board of Directors assess local needs and prioritize those needs based upon local projects percolating throughout the county. This year’s process revealed that our towns are actively working to re-energize their town squares in the hope of rebuilding a sense of community and vitality in the places they call home. Understanding that active town squares are an essential element to retaining and attracting people to our communities, the Board of Directors quickly recognized that the Sally Morris Community Impact Grant provided the best opportunity for RCCF to assist Town Boards and local organizations in reinventing our downtowns.
The Board of Directors has awarded its second $5,000 Sally Morris Community Impact grant of 2018 to Batesville Main Street. Earlier this year, Batesville Main Street and Rural Alliance for the Arts received an “Our Town Grant” from the National Endowment for the Arts to transform a portion of Walnut Street into an “Arts Corridor”. The Ripley County Community Foundation joins other visionary donors and the City of Batesville in this effort because “…it is an innovative project for Ripley County which has the potential to transform an industrial streetscape into a welcoming gathering place. Public art is an essential element for the revitalization of our downtown squares; it reflects who we were, who we are and what we want to be. Community art sparks conversation and turns once unused spaces into hubs of activity; making this the perfect project to receive an impact grant,” stated Amy Streator, RCCF Executive Director. The Ripley County Community Foundation grant will be used to bring a piece of public art to the space.
To learn how you can leave a legacy in your community contact the Ripley County Community Foundation, 13 E. George ST., Suite B, Batesville, IN 47006, (812)933-1098 or visit us online here.
