A newly established organization is coming off a successful inaugural year as it heads into this year.

The 144 Corridor Housing Initiative (CHI) provided up to $1,000 of matching grant funds to exterior housing projects in eastern Greene County, including Grand Junction, Paton, Dana and Rippey. Last year, 144 CHI assisted with 25 projects for a grand total of over $223,000 of exterior improvements that were made. 

This year, the grant applications will be available from February 1st-April 15th. Examples of what the grant funds could be used for include window or a wheelchair ramp installation, replacement of a sidewalk, a railing or an unsafe step; along with tree removal, among others. The application must include details of the project, a cost estimate and a “before” photo of the project.

Applicants will know by April 30th if they have been approved and the projects must be done by November 15th. Funding is provided by each city council of the participating towns, along with Peoples Bank, Home State Bank, Rolling Hills Bank, Community State Bank, Louis Dreyfus funds from the Greene County Board of Supervisors and Greene County Development Corporation. Grant applications can be found at the libraries in Paton, Grand Junction and Rippey, along with the banks in Grand Junction and Paton. Dana residents can go to Peoples Bank in Grand Junction or city council members.