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 9^th 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.”