Regional planner outlines grant options; city considers community facility and other projects

Rebecca TenHulzen of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission presented grant options to the City of Chula on Aug. 11 and said, "Grant applications open April 2026." She said grants typically allow up to three years to complete projects but can be closed out in one year and that applications require a city budget and supporting documentation; a local match is preferred but not mandatory.

Council members discussed potential priorities Rebecca flagged: renovating City Hall (with local corporate programs such as Walmart or Lowe's suggested as places to check), housing repair and demolition programs (commercial loans up to $300,000 and residential loans up to $200,000; demolition would require a $500 homeowner fee and a property to show zero utility usage for 12 months before eligibility), park development (including Lowe's "Hometown Proud" grants) and street work. Mayor Cody Ireland raised a longer-term idea modeled on Princeton's Stacy Center; Rebecca said Community Facilities grants could provide up to $500,000 but would require paying prevailing wages and planning for sustainability such as membership fees or partnership with the local school for gymnasium use.