Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC)

The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is opening applications for the first round of the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Construction Grant on March 13. This funding supports capital improvements addressing critical community development needs, including wastewater and drinking water improvements, stormwater management, public facilities, and blight clearance. Eligible applicants include non-entitlement cities, counties, and incorporated towns. The process consists of two stages: a Proposal (due April 17) and a Full Application (due June 20). Grant awards range from $500,000 to $750,000, with match requirements varying by program. An OCRA-certified grant administrator is required to assist with the application process. https://ow.ly/ncTZ50Vf0Fj

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) can help you pay your heat and electric bills! EAP provides a one-time annual benefit that can assist you with the high cost of home energy and can help if you are disconnected or are about to get disconnected . An EAP benefit will not cover all your annual heating and electric costs, so you should continue to pay your bills regularly. These benefits are paid directly to the utility vendor to help cover your heating and electric costs. If your utilities are included in rent, you may still qualify for EAP. Deadline to apply is April 14th. Please visit here for details: https://ow.ly/h1kK50VcTaC

Approximately one in seven people in our community do not know where their next meal will come from. Local businesses and nonprofit leaders are working towards creating a resilient food system for Lake County that supports healthy communities for all residents. Join the Lake County Advancement Conversations at their March 21st luncheon as they host an expert panel and talk all things food in Lake County. To purchase tickets, please visit: https://ow.ly/h7oG50V29w8

As part of the NWI Times Region United series, NIRPC's Executive Director Ty Warner highlights a number of investments ensuring a prosperous future for our region's residents and businesses. Link: https://ow.ly/jU9W50VgRbe

The CreatINg Places program, offered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) in partnership with Patronicity, provides matching funds for community-driven placemaking projects. This “crowdgranting” model allows communities to raise funds through online donations, which IHCDA then matches—doubling the impact of local fundraising efforts. Eligible projects include streetscape improvements, public plazas, parks, trails, playgrounds, community markets, and more. Local governments and nonprofits can apply, and projects must have a minimum budget of $10,000. IHCDA will match funds raised on Patronicity dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but campaigns should be planned at least two months in advance. https://ow.ly/g67z50Vf0me

You have one more week to fill out Drive Clean Indiana's Annual Fleet Survey. You're participation wil help them create a snapshot of how much petroleum and greenhouse gas emissions you helped reduce in the State of Indiana last year. The data you provide helps them accurately reflect all of the activities and initiatives happening around the state. Based on the data collected in this survey, awards will be given out at their annual REACT Expo. All responses are confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the members of Drive Clean Indiana's staff. To receive a survey form, please contact info@drivecleanindiana.org

Girls on the Run, a national non-profit organization, designs programming that strengthens third- to eighth grade girls’ social, emotional, physical and behavioral skills to successfully navigate life experiences. The Northwest Indiana chapter is holding an open house TOMORROW, March 12th - please see graphic for details.

New at Griffin Museum of Science & Industry is the Steelmakers exhibit, which explores the science and stories behind one of our most essential and versatile materials. Through hands-on experiences, a collection of wide-ranging artifacts and oral histories, this exhibit highlights how steel became an indispensable part of our modern world, contributing to expansive industrial growth and deeply rooted steelworker communities. To learn more, please visit: https://ow.ly/pFac50VcS9N

Join us to support our Region's trail! On Tuesday, March 25th the Friends of the Marquette Greenway will be hosting a fundraiser to help us reach a Lilly Challenge Grant deadline of April 1st. Tickets are $60 each - one dollar for every mile of the route. Special thanks to both the South Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau and Indiana Dunes Tourism for hosting! To purchase tickets, please visit https://ow.ly/V3We50Vava9

The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) is hosting a series of public listening sessions across the state, and wants to hear from you. These sessions are an opportunity to: - Get the latest updates on Indiana’s broadband expansion efforts - Learn about the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Opportunity (DO) programs and what they mean for your community - Ask questions and share your feedback directly with state broadband officials Details about the March 12th Porter County event in the graphic. To register, please visit: https://ow.ly/6sQb50VbsTe