The thermometer may be dropping, but Elkhart County Block Grants show no sign of letting up
Shelly Sterling, a recent recipient of Elkhart County Block Grant funding, always has food and fun on her mind and is used to hosting events and bringing the community together throughout the year. The owner of Downtown Wakarusa’s popular Shortstop Inn, Sterling—along with co-organizer, Tori Schwartz, of The Garage Coffee Shop—was awarded a $2,000 Elkhart County Block Grant to help organize and host a Sept. 27 Notre Dame football tailgate party for the entire Wakarusa community to enjoy.
“This seemed like a good way to bring people from Wakarusa and Elkhart County together for an exciting fall event, so we went ahead and applied,” said Sterling, who operates Shortstop Inn with her husband, Gabe. “Wakarusa is a small town, but we have a lot of charm—it’s a Hallmark kind of town. We like to get together, so it’s pretty cool to team up with The Garage Coffee Shop to throw a tailgate party and Notre Dame football watch party. We’ll have a giant LED screen for the game and a chili and soup cook-off for local bragging rights. After the game we’ll have a mechanical bull in the street and a DJ to provide music. We will also have cornhole, giant Jenga, and activities for kids.”
Part of the Vibrant Communities initiative, Elkhart County Block Grants are available to bring projects of all sizes and scopes to life. Submissions are welcome for small, simple projects such as block parties, tree plantings, garden installations, and neighborhood clean-ups. Residents are also encouraged to apply for funding for more substantial proposals such as new public seating areas, art installations, and community events. Proposals for large projects like playground upgrades, increased neighborhood safety measures, and enhanced streetscapes and community spaces are also considered for Block Grant funding.
Small projects require a community match of 50% of the Block Grant funds awarded, and medium and larger projects require a community match of 40% of the Block Grant award. Matches can be made financially or through in-kind donations of goods or services, further encouraging residents to invest their ideas, time, and services in pursuit of re-energizing and enriching the areas in which they live. Block Grants are available for funding up to $2,500.
With a little help from their friends
According to Sterling, Shortstop Inn, The Garage Coffee Shop, Indiana Ultimate, and Schwartz Electric all pledged to contribute matching funds which—paired with the assistance of the Wakarusa Chamber of Commerce—were integral to the Block Grant procurement.
“Tori and I were super excited when we found out we received Block Grant funding,” said Sterling. “Since my husband and I took over the Shortstop Inn, we’ve been very active with providing events and live music in Wakarusa. This tailgate party is likely going to be the biggest party downtown Wakarusa has ever seen, and we’re thankful to be able to make it happen. Wakarusa being such a small town, this grant gives us an opportunity to connect our community, bring our young and old people together, and provide the type of fun and entertainment folks don’t normally get to experience for free.”
APPLY for a block grant!
If you have an idea that can make your Elkhart County neighborhood better, YOU can make it happen by applying for a Block Grant today! Learn more about Elkhart County Block Grant funding, and apply today, at https://vibrantelkhartcounty.org/block-grants/.
Top: Shelly Sterling, who owns and operates Wakarusa’s Shortstop Inn with her husband, Gabe, was recently awarded Block Grant funding to organize a Notre Dame football tailgate party in Downtown Wakarusa. Bottom: Sterling’s co-organizer for the event, Tori Schwartz, operates The Garage Coffee Shop in Wakarusa.
