The Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana announced that its BEP region (Gibson, Posey and Warrick County) has surpassed razing 100 homes under the Blight Elimination Program (BEP), a program administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA). Gibson, Posey and Warrick counties were awarded a combined total of $3,555,000 in competitive BEP funding rounds in late 2014 and early 2015 applied for by the Coalition.
Along with serving as the region’s umbrella economic development group, the Coalition is the region’s planning and community development organization as well. In addition, Gibson County was awarded an additional $187,000 in blight elimination funding. IHDCA estimates that approximately 4,000 blighted and/or abandoned homes in Indiana will be eliminated through the Blight Elimination Program.
“The Blight Elimination Program is changing the landscape for our communities by removing vacant and dilapidated houses so that either green space or new construction can be completed,†said Debbie Bennett-Stearsman, Director of Special Projects for the Coalition. After encouraging the counties to come together to apply for the program as one region, Bennett-Stearsman commented that this approach has helped streamline a very complicated process with transforming results. “After 10 years of working regionally, the Coalition is proof that we can accomplish more together for the betterment of everyone.â€
In Gibson County, 42 houses have been demolished with 23 homes in Posey County and 36 in Warrick County. “The Coalition’s work is often behind the scenes with attracting business and talent to the region and helping communities build capacity,†said Gibson County Commissioner Steve Bottoms. “But the results of this program and the hard work of the Coalition, demonstrates to our residents the level of positive impact working together can have through a wonderful program like BEP.â€
