Neighborhood ARP Funding and Annual I.D.E.A. Conference Deadlines Approaching

Attendees view a map of Muncie neighborhoods during the IDEA conference. The attendees pinpointed where they live and where they love with a string connecting the two. Photo provided.Attendees view a map of Muncie neighborhoods during the IDEA conference. The attendees pinpointed where they live and where they love with a string connecting the two. Photo provided.

February 14, 2022

By Heather Williams, MAP Task Force 2 Leader—

MUNCIE, Ind.—Are you a Muncie resident and love where you live? Do you have dreams about how to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood? We need your help to make those hopes and dreams a reality.

The City of Muncie allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to support the work of our city’s neighborhood associations. The Muncie Action Plan (MAP) is the non-profit partner administering the funds and overseeing the allocation process. Funds will be dispersed based on neighborhood population (size) and the economic need of residents (per federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Area Median Income calculations).

All neighborhoods are eligible, but there are deadlines that must be met in order to access ARP funding. Neighborhoods must submit either an Intent to Organize or Intent to Apply application no later than March 1st. Once an application has been received, neighborhood representatives will meet with MAP’s Neighborhood Coordinator, Mo Orbin, by April 15th to discuss their individual needs and aspirations. Pre-applications will then be due by May 1st, indicating that the neighborhood has met the eligibility requirements for funding and is moving forward with project planning. Questions regarding how to apply for Neighborhoods ARP funding should be directed to Mo Orbin at mlorbin15@gmail.com.

The public is invited to attend the I.D.E.A. Conference (Intentional Development and Education for Associations) and Mayor Ridenour’s 3rd State of the City Address on Saturday, March 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This free event is focused on neighborhood association development and capacity building. The lunch keynote will address both neighborhood and public art ARP funding and how residents can dream big about where they live. Registration for the event is open until February 25th.

Applications for the I.D.E.A. Conference Neighborhood Leader of the Year and Neighborhood Project of the Year are open until Friday, February 18th. Help us celebrate the good work happening across the city of Muncie by submitting a nomination.

This year’s annual I.D.E.A. Conference is the 7th event and a continuing collaboration between Ball State’s Building Better Neighborhoods Program, Muncie Action Plan, and Shafer Leadership Academy. Support for the event has been provided by Ball State’s Office of Community Engagement, the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Ball Brothers Foundation, the City of Muncie, Pink Leaf, Woof Boom Radio, and HOPE in Delaware County.

We hope to see you at the I.D.E.A. Conference and we hope to help you access the Neighborhood ARP funding to make your dreams for your neighborhood a reality.