$100,000 Envision 2011 finalists announced

GREENCASTLE -- The Putnam County Community Foundation has announced two finalists in the $100,000 "Envision 2011" grant initiative.

The Putnam County Public Library submitted an application to further family literacy in Putnam County, and Putnam RISE proposes to educate county citizens about ways to become more energy efficient and stimulate the local economy through energy efficiency investments in schools, neighborhoods, and homes.

Putnam RISE (Renewal, Investment, Savings and Efficiency) seeks to produce double digit decreases in energy consumption in Putnam County school facilities, secure energy savings and cash incentives for resource-challenged schools, obtain over 2,000 home energy savings pledges, provide 100 residential energy audits and weatherize 21 homes.

If successful, the project will also receive a $25,000 grant from Vectren Foundation to support its goals.

"We hope to create a distinctive community model for others across the region and the nation to follow," said Steve Setchell, chair of the Greencastle Commission on Sustainability.

The Putnam County Public Library seeks to increase access to books and literacy services for all Putnam County citizens by establishing two new branches, one in Bainbridge and one in Cloverdale.

In addition, the library proposes to distribute books to every baby born at the Putnam County Hospital (average 260 annually), assist 45 adults to achieve their literacy goals and register 310 Putnam County children under the age of 5 in the Imagination Library program.

Each child who is registered will receive one book in the mail every month.

Alice Greenburg, director of the library, cited research that indicates that the presence of books in the home have a greater impact on English, science and math skills than income and parental educational background.

In February, the Putnam County Community Foundation announced the availability of up to $100,000 for one creative charitable project or program that would make a significant difference to the entire county in the areas of economic development or education.

The winner of the Envision 2011 grant will be announced to the public on Oct. 2 at the foundation's 25th anniversary celebration.

The celebration will be based at the Inn at DePauw and is being underwritten by Therese Cunningham, State Farm Insurance.