French Lick – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) announced Rising Sun has earned an Aim Community Placemaking Award for their active senior living community project. The city was honored with this award on Wednesday, August 23rd during the Annual Awards Luncheon – presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC during the 2023 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Rising Sun won in the less than 5,000 population category.
Over a decade ago, Rising Sun recognized the need for housing revitalization due to the increase of foreclosures and the negative impact of blighted properties. The community’s housing plan included an active senior housing community to be built near Main Street, the riverfront and casino. The senior living community is a residential community for owners 55 years or older, featuring single-level residences with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The housing options are affordable, fairly maintenance free, and conveniently located. The impact on Rising Sun expands beyond the cost of the new units. The city will receive an addition $25,000 in annual property taxes and $8,400 in new utility fees per year. The project is estimated to bring an additional 42.5 new jobs to the community and the early retirees set to occupy the houses will have an economic impact with spendable income to help boost the Main Street Business District.
Aim CEO Matt Greller said, “In this role I have learned to bet on the community of Rising Sun. The leaders are dedicated and passionate problem-solvers. They identified a challenge and worked until a solution was found and implemented.”
The Placemaking Award highlights programs or projects that have been implemented and demonstrate new approaches for solving municipal challenges. Placemaking projects also exemplify the positive impact of planning, regeneration, or economic development work on the physical quality of a place, as well as the economic and social well-being of a community. Nominations must have a physical aspect. Awards are presented in multiple population categories based on nominations received.
In its 47th year, the Aim Annual Awards program, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A seven-member panel of qualified judges selected this year’s winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state.
Conference Facts:
2023 Aim Ideas Summit
August 22-24, 2023
French Lick Resort
Attendance: 1,000 (pending final registration count)