Muncie Land Bank sells 22 properties, pursues grants and planning partnerships

Nate Howard, representing the Muncie Land Bank, told the commission the land bank had no new acquisitions this month and successfully sold 22 additional properties held for the Old West End project to Affordable Home Matters, a community development financial institution (CDFI). He said the land bank submitted a grant application to the Ball Brothers Foundation to support general operations and applied to the CenterPoint Energy Foundation for work tied to the Whitely partnership; they were awarded a smaller grant from the Office of Community Engagement to support a planning intern.

Howard discussed ongoing partnerships and planning work: the land bank is preparing a 'land strategy' and using Ball State architecture for a preapproved housing design pilot. He invited commission participation in focus groups related to acquisitions, tax‑sale processes and disposition strategy, and reminded commissioners of outreach events that will feature partners from CDFIs and lending organizations.