EVANSVILLE – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) launched a crowdfunding campaign to restore and revitalize a 1919 Tepe Park building. Evansville residents will have a new space for food collaboration if this campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by August 23, 2022. If successful, the project led by Impact Evansville Inc. will receive a matching grant as part of the IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.
“I am thrilled to see this historic building become a neighborhood hub in my hometown,” Crouch said. “This space will be a catalyst for local food production, culinary education, and community pride.”
Funds from this campaign will be used to continue the interior space renovation, clean up the outdoor greenspace and add a beautiful mural to improve the exterior.
“This project and need being fulfilled is bigger than any one person or organization. It will truly take a community of people coming together to provide economic development in an area being overlooked, and it will provide access to a commercial kitchen for foodpreneurs wanting to start and grow their businesses,” said Merrick Korach, Founder of Bedford Collab.
“Bedford Collab meets many needs in Southside Evansville. Southside Evansville has been labeled a disinvested area facing systematic issues. Bedford Collab is a solution for change, “said DeAndre Wilson, President of Impact Evansville Inc.
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $6.4 million in public funds and an additional $5.2 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $10,000 per project.
