Lt. Gov. Crouch, IHCDA launch crowdfunding campaign for Gosport Public Facilities: Clean and Convenient Restrooms for All

$30,000 goal to receive a matching grant through IHCDA's CreatINg Places initiative

GOSPORT, Ind. (Aug. 28, 2024) - Owen County residents will soon have new public restrooms if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $30,000 by Oct. 27, 2024. If successful, the project led by the Owen County Community Foundation will receive a matching grant as part of IHCDA'sCreatINg Places program.

"Maintaining clean, accessible facilities is important to the health of Hoosiers, and we need citizens engaged in developing these visions for their cities and towns," said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Adding public restrooms to the town hall building is an excellent example of how the CreatINg Places program can be leveraged on behalf of an entire community."

Funds from this campaign will be used to construct accessible restrooms between the Gosport Town Hall and the town picnic area, within walking distance of the public park and new basketball courts.

"We welcome all sponsors, contributions and support to help see this project through and we anticipate many more projects and improvements in the years to come as we work to make Gosport Town Park a quality space enjoyed by all," said Craig Brighton, project manager for the campaign.

Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $11.1 million in public funds and an additional $9.3 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.

The campaign is part of the CreatINg Livable Communities Partnership between AARP Indiana and IHCDA's CreatINg Places. It is a pilot partnership that assists Indiana communities in funding place-based projects for aging in place. In addition to matching funds from IHCDA, this project is eligible for up to $5,000 in matching funds from AARP Indiana.