Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
MILLTOWN – Thousands of people visit Milltown every year to canoe, kayak and camp. Next year, if the town is successful, people will come to see the iconic Milltown Bridge illuminated at night.
The Milltown Economic Development Committee is raising $10,000 to install colorful LED lighting to the bridge that connects the two sides of town.
The committee launched a crowdfunding campaign this week. If the town reaches its goal by Dec. 29, the state will match funds as a part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program.
The idea to light up the bridge that spans the Blue River has been tossed around for a few years, said Erin Henry, member of the Milltown Economic Development Committee.
The project has always had community support, but with the total cost estimated at $20,000, the project was out of reach for the town of fewer than 1,000 residents. The opportunity for a match and a successful fundraiser put the project within reach.
In September, the committee held its first fundraiser, Bridge the Gap.
For one night, the bridge was closed and tables were set up for a catered dinner. Volunteers hung string lights across the bridge and 200 people bought tickets.
“We raised about $7,700 doing that,” Henry said. “We had people everywhere.”
The campaign launched this week on Patronicity, a crowdfunding platform for community projects.
In the summer months, the Blue River, outfitter Cave Country Canoes and nearby Marengo Cave are big draws to the town that lies in two counties – Harrison and Crawford.
“We already know we have so many people who visit our town to canoe and enjoy the Blue River. We want to make Milltown a place where they don’t just come for the day, they come to stay. So we want to make it where people want to come and stay and spend the evening here,” Henry said.
The color-changing LED lights will reflect the seasons – red and green at Christmas, red, white and blue for patriotic holidays. The town has given the committee to light the bridge every evening.
Public art is becoming one of the town’s trademarks. Old canoes painted by artists line the streets, utility poles are painted and the town just added its second mural on the side of Riverside Spirits.
Henry said the bridge, which offers pedestrian access, will elevate the town’s public art in a new way.
“We have a wonderful, walkable city. A lot of our art installations are connected to the sidewalks,” she said.
Boxcar, shelter house crowdfunding efforts
Milltown’s crowdfunding campaign is the latest effort by a community group in the Radius Indiana region taking advantage of the CreatINg Places match opportunity.
Radius Indiana is raising $25,000 to repurpose a boxcar that will serve as the Salem trailhead for the newly developed Monon South Trail. Radius has until Nov. 25 to reach its goal. According to information about the project, the original and rare boxcar is a reminder of the simplicity and storied history of rail transportation.
On Oct. 6, the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth began crowdfunding to build a shelter house at Hindostan Falls. The goal of $40,000 was reached within a week.
Hindostan Falls is a popular spot for visitors, but it lacks any type of gathering space. The 30-by-60 structure will have a capacity for 72 people. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 5 here.
About CreatINg Places
Since the CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised more than $9.4 million in public funds and an additional $7.7 million in matching IHCDA funds. The program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and local units of government are eligible to apply. Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should it successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.