The Tool Library at 801 W. Washington St., Bloomington, opened in 2012. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Tool Library)
By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – State Farm is giving $1 million in grants through its Neighborhood Assist program.
Staring Monday through March 29, applicants can submit their projects that would benefit education, community development or safety.
"If you know you need a park in your neighborhood, you name it," State Farm spokesman Matt Edwards said. "We've seen everything from camps for kids to dog parks to tearing down a dangerous building."
State Farm Spokesman Matt Edwards told WJBC's Susan Saunders a youth advisory board will select 200 finalists in the spring and the public will vote on the top 40 projects that will get $25,000 each.
Neighborhood Assist is in its fourth year.
Tool Library
A Bloomington non-profit is a shining example of what a start-up grant can do. In 2012, the Tool Library on Bloomington's west side opened after getting a Neighborhood Assist grant from State Farm.
Andy Maxwell is director of the free tool lending program.
"First time I walked in, I was just blown away by how much there is, the great tools they can to rent," Maxwell said. "Talking to community members who come in, you can tell this is something people are really happy to have and people really want to get engaged with it."
Click HERE for the podcast interview with State Farm's Matt Edwards & Susan Saunders.
Click HERE for the podcast interview WBRP's Robert Bosquez and Tool Library Director Andy Maxwell hosted by Susan Saunders.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
