Blackford County building beauty by tearing down homes
9/29/2009
For this accomplishment, the group received the Key Award for Supportive Services Program of the Year from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development.
The group helped Jackie and Dale Yates demolish the 10-room house they no longer lived in. The couple never intended for their old home to fall into disrepair, but illness, then retirement took a toll on their finances. Jackie estimates Build A Better Blackford saved them thousands of dollars as well as tons of time.
"We''re just very grateful," said Jackie, 71. "We couldn''t of done it on our own, but we did help as much as we could."
Build A Better Blackford initially started out with just $1,000 won through the Blackford County Leadership Academy, and four people. That number quickly grew to 20-plus members, all sharing an interest in making Blackford beautiful again, said founding member and former Chairman Carol Robles.
"Our goal was just to make Blackford County more beautiful," Robles said.
It''s a little deeper than simple beautification, though. Build A Better Blackford members note a more attractive county could spur economic development as well as keep property values for surrounding homes from falling.
"Any blighted property is a drag on the rest of the community," said current Chairman Jon Creek .
To help tackle the enormous problem, Build A Better Blackford received a $20,000 matching grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways.
"As far as (the number of homes) on the list that need to be removed, it''s almost uncountable," said Treasurer Don Goetz.
Though blight in rural areas generally isn''t as visible as it is in urban areas, it exists, Creek said. It''s hidden, in many ways, since many of the houses look good on the outside but are decaying on the inside.Source: http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009909280311
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