Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb announced today the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) awarded 17 properties funding through the Historic Renovation Grant Program (HRGP).
The 17 properties located throughout 10 communities will receive grant funds ranging from $10,500 to $100,000 to be used on exterior renovations and repairs. Such renovations include roof replacement, masonry restoration, repair and replacement of windows, façade renovation, painting, storefront upgrades, and rear entry improvements. The 10 communities include Batesville, Brazil, Corydon, Evansville, Frankfort, Greenfield, Lawrenceburg, Liberty, New Albany, and Rochester.
“Indiana is full of historic properties that are being utilized to enhance their community’s quality of life and economy,” said Lt. Governor Holcomb. “Over the years, a number of historic properties have not been properly maintained and the Historic Renovation Grant Program gives communities the resources to restore them and truly better downtown economic development.”
The Historic Renovation Grant Program, currently in its first year, is a competitive grant program designed to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties in order to further incentivize downtown economic development. Grant funding for the program, to be administered by OCRA, was approved by the Indiana General Assembly during the 2016 legislative session. Applications for the HRGP, formerly known as the Historic Tax Credit Program, were also reviewed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA) to ensure that they met the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
“The Indiana Legislature recognized the importance of assisting communities in restoring historic properties and they charged OCRA to partner with DNR to design and implement the Historic Renovation Grant Program,” said OCRA Executive Director Bill Konyha. “Renovation of historic properties assists communities to preserve their heritage while transforming local economies.”
Applicants located within an Indiana Main Street or non-entitlement community have the opportunity to apply for project funding between $10,000 and $100,000 at a maximum request of 35% of the total eligible project cost. Eligible applicants include individuals, partnerships, firms, associations, joint ventures, limited liability companies, corporations, or non-profit affordable housing organizations.
For more information on HRGP, visit www.in.gov/ocra/hrgp.
John E. Noyes Building, 1866
157 East Main
New Albany Italianate
John E. Noyes purchased this lot in late 1865 and was selling his boots, shoes, and dry goods from this building by 1868. In 1879, Mr. Noyes lost his building to Sheriff’s Sale. The building has seen numerous businesses and owners over time including the former site of the Schad Law Office and is now the home to Chestnuts & Pearls.
