Town of Georgetown Awarded $150,000 to Expand Connecting Sidewalks Project

GEORGETOWN, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana (CFSI) has selected the Town of Georgetown as this year’s recipient of its Quality of Place – Pathways to Progress grant, awarding the organization $150,000 to expand its sidewalk project along State Road 64.

The project will add a half mile of sidewalks stretching from the Georgetown Drive-In to Canal Lane, aiming to improve accessibility, enhance connectivity, and increase safety for both residents and visitors. This new sidewalk will serve walkers, bikers, and other pedestrians, creating a safe and direct connection to Optimist Park’s youth sports fields and other key locations. The sidewalks will also link community members to over a dozen businesses, Georgetown Elementary School, Town Hall, the local farmers market, and several churches along the town’s busiest road.

“The Foundation is proud to support Georgetown’s vision for a safer, more connected community,” said Linda Speed, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana. “Historically, Georgetown has had a below-average walkability score, and this project is a significant step toward enhancing safety and accessibility for all residents, especially those with limited access. By improving these amenities, we’re not only enhancing quality of life but also making our community more welcoming to all.”

This grant marks the fifth Quality of Place award from CFSI, with other projects located in Jeffersonville, New Albany, Charlestown, and most recently, Borden. The Community Foundation’s Quality of Place: Pathways to Progress Grants Program focuses on serving people with the least access to safe, high-quality public places and amenities, including those with limited income, transportation challenges, or physical and/or mental differences.

“The support from the Community Foundation is vital in helping us bring our sidewalk infrastructure project to life,” said Reny Keener, Town Manager of Georgetown. “By expanding sidewalks, we are not just enhancing infrastructure but creating safe pathways that connect people to each other and to the heart of our town. This project is an investment in our residents’ health, safety, and overall well-being.”

For more information about Quality of Place, or any other grant program administered by the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, please visit our website (www.CFSouthernIndiana.com) or contact Crystal Melcher at cmelcher@cfsouthernindiana.com.