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Redevelopment commission increases workforce grant cap to $50,000 and approves Merrillville schools’ scope change
Summary
The commission voted 4-0 to increase the Education & Workforce Training grant cap from $30,000 to $50,000 for future cycles and approved a scope change allowing Merrillville High School to house donation boxes indoors and expand items accepted to include coats, hygiene items and clothing.
The Hobart Redevelopment Commission voted unanimously March 16 to raise the Education & Workforce Training grant cap for future cycles from $30,000 to $50,000 and to approve a change in scope for a Merrillville Community School Corporation (MCSC) project funded under the program.
Director of Development Marcos Rodriquez noted President Claussen had proposed increasing the annual grant cap; Commissioner Mark Kara moved and Commissioner Kelly Clemens seconded the increase, which passed 4-0. The change applies to the RDC’s grant program funding available for the 2027 cycle and was described as a measure to support local workforce and education training initiatives.
Community Development Coordinator Kate McGill read a letter from Taylor, a Merrillville High School construction trades instructor, requesting modifications to a previously approved 2026 grant. The school asked to move donation/pantry boxes indoors (citing liability and vandalism concerns), broaden the boxes’ purpose to accept coats, clothing, nonperishable food and hygiene items, and have school staff monitor the boxes weekly to ensure items remain fresh and the units are maintained. McGill characterized the request as a change in scope to the original application and the commission approved the modification by voice vote.
Commissioners discussed the educational value of the construction course that will build and maintain the boxes and noted indoor placement reduces vandalism and weather exposure. The commission did not specify a change to the 2026 award amount for the Merrillville project; the vote authorized future cycles’ maximum funding level to be $50,000.
Motion to increase the grant cap and to approve the MCSC scope change were moved by Mark Kara, seconded by Kelly Clemens and recorded as carried by a 4-0 vote.
