Uplands Regional Land Bank gains 501(c)(3) status; reports property acquisitions in Greene County

Bobby Abel, a representative of the Uplands Regional Land Bank, told the Greene County Board of Commissioners that the nonprofit has received official 501(c)(3) status and is actively acquiring and preparing vacant, abandoned and blighted properties for rehabilitation or demolition.

"The land bank has officially received its 501(c)(3) status," Abel said. He reported the organization has acquired four properties, two of which are in Greene County, one in Jasonville and one in Lyons. Abel said one Jasonville property has been demolished and is being promoted as a "shovel-ready" lot.

Abel said the land bank also attended tax-sales in six counties and acquired additional properties, and that the organization aims to return properties to the tax rolls either by rehabilitation, demolition or transfer. He said the land bank had received at least one donation of a property and had others in discussion. The group also is developing community outreach and plans to hire local contractors for maintenance, demolition and landscaping work.

Why it matters: Land banks can play a role in reducing blight, returning properties to productive use and expanding housing or redevelopment opportunities in communities that face vacant or abandoned parcels.

Clarifying details from the meeting: Abel said the land bank has acquired four properties in total with two in Greene County, one in Jasonville and one in Lyons; he also described additional acquisitions from tax-sale activity across the broader six-county service area and said the organization expects to seek access to those properties this fall. Abel also said the land bank maintains a public website with information and a community outreach flyer.

Ending: Abel left connect-with-us cards at the meeting and thanked the commissioners for their support.