The first annual Highway 144 Corridor Housing Initiative board held a recognition reception on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Rippey Community Room. This reception was to recognize and thank financial donors. Awardee recipients who completed exterior home improvements were also recognized.
Representatives were present from Paton, Dana, Grand Junction, and Rippey. Each community city council allowed for 10 percent of the funds received from Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation to be a part of the 144 CHI awardee dollars made available for improvement of exterior homes as well as residential yards.
In addition to funds from the cities, donations were given by Peoples Bank, Rolling Hills Bank, Community State Bank, Home State Bank, Greene County Development Corporation, Greene County board of supervisors, (Louis Dreyfus funds) and RAGBRAI. A total of $28,471 was donated.
Thirty-four applications were received, and funds were available to approve 25. Individuals could request up to $1,000 with a required one-to-one match.
Many persons provided more than the required match and total improvements completed were $223,489.25.
The application process for 2024 will be made available beginning in February. Applications may be secured in the libraries of Paton, Grand Junction, and Rippey.
Board members will be visiting and requesting repeat funding from the city councils during the January Council meetings.
The 144 CHI board will also seek funding from Grow Greene County for exterior housing improvements, as well as expansion to demolition of unsightly and unsafe housing or buildings.
Contributing to the successful program were, from the left: Kate Neese, Susan Hogueison Penny Millard, Amanda Cornelius, Jackie Ostrander, Derek Kennedy, Emily Ostrander, Kerry Winebrenner, Shelly Fouch, Bobbi Dollinger, Jake Bohnet, Terry Winebrenner, Diane Kafer, Alan Robinson, Mary Weaver and John Rigler III.
Additional information may be obtained from 144 CHI board members Mary Weaver, John Rigler, Alan Robinson, Derek Kennedy, Kate Neese, Annie Smith, and Jake Bohnet.
