Commission flags new state "Stellar Pathways" grant; letter of intent due Dec. 15

A commissioner told the Edinburgh Redevelopment Commission on Aug. 10 that the state announced a new "Stellar Pathways" program that could provide multimillion‑dollar, multiyear funding for downtown infrastructure, housing and facade projects and that the ERC or the town could apply.

"This is a very extensive state program that brings in OPRA and NDOT and DNR and the Arts Commission and Indiana Community Development, and housing. And it's a multimillion dollar, multiyear, grant program," the commissioner said. She said ERC could play an "instrumental" role helping identify capital projects and noted the primary hurdle is matching funds; commissioners asked whether TIF dollars could be used for matching in redevelopment districts.

The commissioner said she would ask the council for permission to gather more information and bring a fuller proposal back to ERC; she also said the letter of intent for the program is due Dec. 15, 2026. Members discussed examples from nearby towns that have won Stellar or similar grants and how grant writers and chamber partnerships helped secure funding.

Next steps: staff will gather more detail about program eligibility, match rules and possible projects—especially wastewater and corridor infrastructure—and report back at the next ERC meeting so the commission can decide whether to pursue an application or a joint town/ERC approach.