Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Just One More Reason to Love Noblesville!


CITY OF NOBLESVILLE UTILITY RECEIVES $25,000 FROM HAMILTON COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

Grant to Help Create Rain Gardens, Sculpture in Downtown Noblesville

… .The City of Noblesville has received a $25,000 Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau (HCCVB) Eight Great Towns Development Grant. The funds will be used to create rain gardens with art sculptures in downtown Noblesville

The rain garden project, which is a partnership between the City of Noblesville Economic Development Department and Wastewater Utilities as well as the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District, will be located on the northeast and northwest corners of the 9th and Conner Street intersection.

“The project will beautify downtown and also educate visitors and residents about a rain garden’s environmental benefits,” said Christy Myers, Noblesville Economic Development Assistant Director.

Rain gardens filter runoff pollution, conserve water, reduce mosquito breeding, increase beneficial insects that eliminate pest insects, create habitat for birds and butterflies, and enhance sidewalk appeal.

“Rain gardens are inexpensive, simple to implement, and environmentally sound,” said Tim Stottlemyer, chief Operator / Storm Water for Noblesville Utilities.

The art sculptures will be created by Expo Design, a company owned by Noblesville resident and Cultural Arts Commission board member Mark Thornton. Local artists and groups were invited to submit photos or sketches of sculptures in November, and the project committee selected Expo Design for its innovative designs and low costs.

“We’re very pleased to be a part of this unique project,” said Thornton , “I think people will really be drawn to these creations.”

The Eight Great Towns Development Grant is a special initiative from the HCCVB to enhance the eight municipalities in Hamilton County to make them even better places to live and visit. Projects can be visual, structural, new or restored and must be to the benefit of the general public, permanent in nature, and part of a larger, long term plan.

“The grant will help make our already great downtown even more appealing for residents and visitors,” said Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear . He added, “We greatly appreciate this opportunity from the Convention and Visitors Bureau.”

16 comments:

tina said...

This will be a super great learning tool for the city. How cool!

beckie said...

Robin, wonderful project! How exciting to be able to see it develope. Keep us informed.

Gail said...

Another reason to be happy for you and your spouse getting a job that keeps you in the city! I love when cities embrace smart projects like this one! Nice photo of bee and bloom! gail

Rusty in Miami said...

Sounds like a great idea, we need more eco friendly projects like that.

F Cameron said...

Since I have my own rain garden, I know how wonderful and beautiful these can be.. as well as how useful to manage water and be eco-friendly.

Kudos to your community!

Cameron

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Sounds like a really great project. Will you keep us informed?

A Blissful New Year to you and yours Robin!

Anonymous said...

Hi Robin, how nice to see the powers that be get the right ideas! This is win win win for all involved. I don't have a rain garden for we had been suffering from extreme drought conditions, but lately we are having lots of rain, hooray! I got a rain barrel for Christmas and it is already full. Maybe a rain garden is possible here too.
Frances

Anonymous said...

Geat Picture of the bee frozen in flight before its sustenance.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Won't this be nice. Good for you and Noblesville.

Sherri said...

What a great way to spend $25,000! I'm sure it will be wonderful when it is all complete.

garden girl said...

What a wonderful project Robin! Noblesville sounds like a great place to live.

Kerri Farley said...

How neat! I don't think I've ever heard of a "rain garden" before.

Neat shot too!!

Naturegirl said...

A wonderful resource for Nature watching! Great macro image Robin..your New camera is the best!
Thank you for the encouraging words re: my mom.

Barbarapc said...

Once people see how beautiful these can be, they'll all want one. What a clever way of using public funds.

lareine said...

this is a great project! hope more communities will follow...

and i love the photo! what kind of flower/plant is it? that bee will certainly have a great nectar feast!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic project Robin. Congrats to your city for getting the grant (and having the foresight to create such a garden). I hope you'll post about it when it's completed. You know I can't sign off without complimenting you on the bee photo ~ it's pure bliss! :-)