Vermillion County council hears Ready 2.0 mural grant pitch; application due April 15

Council members heard a presentation about Ready 2.0, a regional arts and blight remediation grant, and a local group’s proposal to paint a series of murals across Vermillion County from Parisville to St. Bernice.

The presenter said the proposed mural program could cost $50,000 to $100,000 and that the Ready 2.0 grant is 100% reimbursable; applicants must supply a financial commitment letter as part of the local application. The application deadline referenced in the meeting was April 15.

Council members asked that the proposal be checked for conflicts with other county grant efforts and noted that similar county grant partnerships (for trails and recreational projects) have previously required temporary county outlays that were later reimbursed by the granting agency. No formal county decision was made at the meeting; council members asked for a written commitment letter and for the item to appear on the April 13 agenda for a decision.

Next steps: the mural team will prepare a financial commitment letter and a request for council consideration at the April 13 meeting. The group said it will seek reimbursement from the Ready 2.0 program if the grant is awarded.