Gary Common Council approves $317,000 composting grant to train residents

The Gary Common Council on June 3 approved CPO 2025‑31, a $317,000, two‑year grant to demonstrate household composting and train roughly 100 households in the city.

Staff presented the program as a partnership initiative involving the USDA Sierra program and the Hilltop Farmers Market. During an overview, the presenter, identified in the record as Miss Henry, said: “So, this is a $317,000 grant over 2 years, to work with residents who would like to learn how to compost.” Henry said the program will include training, distribution of compost bins and follow‑up support for participating households.

The grant drew public support during the meeting’s public comment period. Donna Jack, introduced to the podium as representing the Gary Food Council, urged passage and described composting’s benefits for soil health and food security: “So please pass this ordinance so we can get our people growing.”

Council members asked no substantive questions during the presentation. The clerk conducted a roll call and the council approved the ordinance by a unanimous vote, 9–0. The staff overview stated the program aims to enroll about 100 households over two years; the program timeline and exact start date were not specified in the meeting record.

The council’s action sends the project into implementation by the administering department and its partners; staff indicated the training and distribution plan will follow the grant’s award schedule. The council did not identify additional local matching funds during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will finalize participant outreach and a training schedule; a council or department newsletter was offered as a channel to notify residents about enrollment opportunities.