The Jackson County Visitor Center board of directors presented funds for its spring 2022 developmental grants during a recent meeting.
Organizations receiving funds were the Brownstown Park Board, Community Foundation of Jackson County and Southern Indiana Model Railroad Association.
The board approved the grant committee’s recommendation to award three organizations funds requested for the developmental grant, which is a 1:1 funding match assistance to nonprofit groups, cities, counties or public organizations for new projects or enhancements designed to have a direct impact on Jackson County and tourism.
Brownstown was awarded $11,000 toward Phase 3 of its softball and baseball diamond project at the town park. Park board President Brian Wheeler said that will cover concrete in the dugouts, covered permanent structures for the dugouts, stump removal and netting for a backstop. There has been an increase in the number of tournaments being held at Brownstown facilities over the last few years, and this project aims to continue that growth.
The Community Foundation was awarded $8,000 to fund educational programming about the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial, which will be unveiled later this year at Freeman Field in Seymour. The programming will focus on the Tuskegee Airmen’s treatment here during their World War II training and its impact in integrating the U.S. military and upon the American civil rights movement.
The model railroad association received $1,000 that will help the group update the electric system on its modules. The organization meets weekly at Trinity United Methodist Church in Seymour but will have a train show at the Seymour Museum Center in December.
“We are excited to award these funds to enhance our community and improve the visitor experience in Jackson County,” said Arann Banks, executive director of the Jackson County Visitor Center. “We hope these projects will help impact our community for years to come.”
The visitor center awards developmental grants in the spring and fall each year. The budget for each grant cycle is $20,000.
The center also offers promotional grant opportunities to help with promoting events by nonprofit groups and organizations.
For information, log onto jacksoncountyin.com/grant-request, where applications and an overview of grants are available.