LEBANON – Lebanon residents will soon honor the legacy of basketball in their downtown if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by July 13, 2023. If successful, the project led by Heart of Lebanon will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program.
“We are excited at the prospect of adding to Lebanon’s historic downtown through the transformation of a vacated alley,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “CreatINg Places is a wonderful program that activates unused or underused spaces, and this campaign is yet another example of Hoosiers coming together to develop and uplift their community.”
Funds from this campaign will transform an unused alley into a space that celebrates the community’s history and culture. Added elements will respect the historic features Lebanon’s courthouse square, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, and will celebrate the city’s vibrant basketball heritage. The project aims to enlighten and inspire the next generation of basketball heroes and provide a place for people to be in the community and share stories of Indiana’s sport.
“This alley activation project is another great way to bring a new experience and fun activity for those visiting our downtown,” said Lebanon Mayor Matt Gentry. “We are excited that the Heart of Lebanon is taking on this venture and turning a vacated alley into something the community can utilize and enjoy.”
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, and projects have raised more than $7.5 million in public funds and an additional $6.3 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 of up to $50,000 per project.
