Hwy. 144 Housing Initiative to provide local grants for beautifying projects

By BRANDON HURLEY
Managing Editor
news@beeherald.com

A dedicated effort to beautify a few of Greene County’s smallest communities has led to the introduction of a new and beneficial program.

The Highway 144 Housing Initiative - aimed at helping property owners fund exterior projects - will serve the four communities along the north and south highway, which include Paton, Dana, Grand Junction and Rippey. A hearty board of volunteers has already squared away more than $20,000 in donations, in addition to 10 percent of donation of each community’s Grow Greene County monies.
Talks amongst the newly-formed non-profit began in the summer, hoping to address the housing scarcity in Greene County, but with a specific focus on Greene County’s smaller towns.

“We are all aware of the need for housing in Greene County,” Alan Robinson said during a presentation at Grand Junction’s November city council meeting. “It seems to be mostly developed in Jefferson.”

They hope an increased focus on already established and respectable homes will drive up the population, leading to more housing.
Robinson said the Highway 144 housing initiative can be broken down into three main areas of focus: improving, clearing and building. The group’s mission is to “improve the attractiveness and availability of housing in our communities.” Essentially, the housing initiative is a matching grant program focused on increasing property value while helping beautify houses in the various communities.

Which means, property owners can apply a local grant of 50 percent of project costs or up to $1,000, whichever threshold is met first.
Organizational members include Mary Weaver as chair, Derek Kennedy as treasurer and John Rigler III as vice chair, Robinson as secretary. Annie Smith, Kate Neese and Jake Bohnet as board members.
Any project that improves the exterior of a home to increase property value within city limits is eligible, with special consideration given to applicants who use local, Greene County suppliers and contractors.
Robinson said they first thought about focusing on only newly built homes, but also wanted to involve everybody, so they opened it up to exterior projects, even for homes that have been around for decades. No money will be given to inside remodels, only improvements that help aid the curb appeal.

“We need to start here, at the grass roots level,” Robinson said. “Get comfortable, get the community comfortable, get the city council comfortable. Now, we get out there and really make the program happen.”

THE GROUP PURPOSE

Applications must be submitted by April 15 of next year, while said projects must be completed by Nov. 30. Additionally, requests for final payment must be made by Dcc. 12 of next year. The purpose of the program is to not only improve general curb appeal, but to also give residents to the tools to complete their projects.

“We understand the monies it takes to revamp houses that need a little love and TLC,” Kate Neese said at the Grand Junction meeting. “It takes a lot of time. We need help here. Even if you need help with demolition.

If we can get the word out, little by little, maybe this can grow to be something nice. “
The group also considered recent population trends, believing there is no better time to get the ball rolling. Weaver said the group believes they can play an instrumental role in helping revive Greene County’s rural communities. The four communities of Rippey, Grand Junction, Dana and Paton host a total of 1,204 residents, with Grand Junction responsible for 60 percent of those residents.

“Our population has really gone down the last two decades,” Weaver said.
“Anything we can do to help improve housing so we can get people to move to our communities will be helpful.”

THE ROOT OF DONATIONS  

The group has been busy, seeking commitments throughout the last several months. They’ve visited all four city councils, with each town pledging to donate 10 percent of their Grow Greene County funds. The Greene County board of supervisors also agreed to pledge $15,000 across a three year span, donating $5,000 per year.  The housing initiative has also received several commitments from local banks. People’s Bank is donating $5,000, while Greene County Development Corporation has pledged $5,000 as well. Both Rolling Hills Bank in Rippey and Home State Bank in Jefferson have agreed to each donate $2,500.
The support is there, Robinson said, and now is the time to push along the process as quick as possible.

“We are getting ready to ramp this up at the beginning of the year and get all the word out,” he said last month.
The housing initiative will give out as many grants as they can until the donated funds are depleted. Projects can be anything from general siding projects and new windows to decks, painting and even tree removal. Landlords with rental properties can apply as well, but for only one structure per year.
Ogden has implemented a similar program, which is where Weaver said this group has gotten many of their ideas.

“We are mimicking it from Ogden,” she said. They are committed to making their community look better.”

CRITERIA FOR GRANTS

High visibility projects will take precedence during the application process. Homes in heavily-trafficked or noticeable areas will be chosen over a project or home tucked away in a smaller neighborhood. The program isn’t solely for use on the physical home, either, Weaver said. There are other outside projects that will be considered, including sidewalks, shrubbery and trees. If a tree is dead or in danger of falling on a home or infected, funds can be used for that as well. Attractiveness, while the main focus, isn’t the only area the board will consider during the application process. The level of necessity is important as well.

“Safety is also concern,” Weaver said. “If someone has a front step that is going to fall in, that will have priority as well. Funds can even be used for sidewalks and trees.”

As a special caveat, specific city donations will stay within that district. Paton’s money can not be used for Grand Junction applicants nor can Dana property owners be granted money from Rippey.

“We are trying to be very transparent,” Weaver said. “We are encouraging people to apply. There are no restrictions.”

The Highway 144 Housing Initiative will begin a marketing campaign in January, with applications available at churches, banks and via any board member beginning the first of February. The group plans to speak at local club meetings as well, in addition to sharing further press information.