On Sept. 1, Grabill town council president, Wilmer Delagrange, opened the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new sidewalks, part of the Downtown Grabill Improvements. The event celebrated several projects under development since 2018 and completed in 2021/2022.
The Streetscape Improvement project along State and Main Streets cost $1,241,000 with $750,000 of that from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs through the Indiana Regional Steller Communities Program with the remaining funds from the town of Grabill.
The “Seed of Life” mural by Ricco Diamonte, which was installed on the back side of the First Merchants Bank building, received assistance from the Indiana Arts Commission, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Growing Grabill, Grabill Chamber of Commerce and the town of Grabill. Also mentioned were the façade improvements completed by private investment by the Country
Shoppes of Grabill.
East Allen’s Rural Revival Plan brings together the seven communities of Harlan, Hoagland, Grabill, Leo-Cedarville, Monroeville, New Haven, and Woodburn under one bold vision – to connect communities through improved quality of place. The plan, totaling a portfolio of $65,000,000 focuses on downtowns, parks, sidewalks, trails, housing, and community health.
Kevin Roth, New Allen Alliance representative, spoke on implementing the plans throughout eastern Allen County and is happy to report that all of the projects have now been started and will be complete in 2023. Roth mentioned the progress on the Cedar Creek Parks Trail that will connect Metea Park through Leo to Grabill and, hopefully, to the Hurshtown Reservoir.
Other speakers were Denny Spinner, executive director of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, David Heine, Indiana State Representative District 85, and Nelson Peters, Allen County Commissioner.
Standing Room Only, a local dulcimer group, played for the ceremony.
-Reprinted from East Allen Courier