Grant applications are now being accepted for home improvement projects in eastern Greene County.

Highway 144 Corridor Housing Initiative (CHI) Board President Alan Robinson says homeowners in Grand Junction, Rippey, Paton and Dana can now apply for up to $1,500 in grant funding, with a 25 percent match, to make exterior improvements to houses. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that due to the generous financial contributors to their non-profit organization,  144 CHI was able to increase the total grant amount from $1,000 to $1,500 this year, along with dropping the required match of at least 50 percent down to 25 percent. Last year, $25,735 was awarded for 26 projects that resulted in $231,760 of improvements. 

Robinson emphasizes that these projects are for exterior improvements only to homes, which includes new siding, doors, windows, sidewalks, and front porches, among other things. Eligible households must be within the city limits of Grand Junction, Rippey, Paton and Dana. Grant applications are available at the libraries in those communities, along with Community State Bank in Paton, Peoples Bank in Grand Junction and Rolling Hills Bank and Trust in Rippey. 

Robinson points out that applications must include a “before” photo, details of the project and an expected completion timeline. He says the application deadline is April 15th and grant recipients will be notified by May 1st.