By AARP Indiana—
MUNCIE, Ind. – Sustainable Muncie Corporation (SMC) was selected for a $12,500 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant and plans to bring greater access to broadband internet service to one of Muncie’s east-side neighborhoods.
SMC will use the funding from the grant to bring public Internet access to Madjax, a facility centered on supporting makers and building a micro-economy by providing a new kind of community center. This will provide residents of the East Central neighborhood and throughout Muncie the ability to access the Internet both inside and outside of the facility.
“Since its inception, Madjax Maker Force has been a center for innovation and design that brings together makers of all kinds,” said Sustainable Muncie President, Jane Ellery. “Providing Internet access to the surrounding neighbors adjacent to the building opens up new intergenerational possibilities and idea energy.”
AARP selected 184 projects nation-wide to receive funding. Four projects in Indiana were selected as 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant winners.
“We’re excited to see the Sustainable Muncie Corporation help close the digital divide in its community,” Addison Pollock, AARP Indiana Director of Community Engagement, said. “The Madjax building is an impressive collection of resources, including the potential of an intergenerational workforce and user group. The expansion of Internet access to the public and the surrounding neighborhood will be a game changer for families in Muncie.”
The SMC plans to utilize older adults as peer-to-peer support for other older adults as they work toward feeling supported, both digitally and socially. Additionally, it plans to use this effort as a springboard for launching its already-in-motion REC (Retirees Entrepreneurial Club).
“The REC of Muncie will help individuals connect with others in a meaningful way that encourages purposeful networking and cross-generational partnerships. We look to launch this effort in the early part of 2021,” said Stacey Krawczyk, Project Manager.
A total of $2.4 million dollars will be distributed to organizations across the country as part of the 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant. You can read more about the program at aarp.org/communitychallenge.
About AARP Indiana
AARP is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into ‘Real Possibilities’ by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. The Indiana office has been involved in issues affecting Hoosiers ages 50+, including providing more assistance for family caregivers, encouraging retirement savings, and encouraging local leaders to make their communities more livable. To learn more visit www.aarp.org/in or follow @aarpindiana on Twitter and Facebook.
About Sustainable Muncie
Sustainable Muncie Corporation was established in 2015 as a public, non-profit organization that provides leadership for community-driven efforts to unlock hidden community assets and re-introduce those assets into the public domain to boost growth and prosperity. Sustainable Muncie aims to revitalize a low or moderate income community, provide small business training and promotion, business incubation space, lending of small or micro-business loans, and develop, own, and manage retail and commercial properties or industrial parks. To learn more visit www.sustainablemuncie.org.
