Merrillville grants first ARP matching funds to realty business

The town of Merrillville granted on Tuesday its first matching funds to a business seeking to improve its physical aesthetic.

The town will give Griffith Realty, 5590 Broadway, $3,450 in American Rescue Plan monies to repave its parking lot from monies the town set aside for homes and businesses, ARP Grant Program Coordinator Quiana Davis said Tuesday. The realty office told the town in its application that the repaving is expected to cost $6,900.

Griffith Realty is expected to pay the first $3,450, and then the town will pay the balance directly to the contractor, Davis said.

Davis said that while the Realtor is the only applicant the town has received thus far, businesses and homeowners are interested in the program. So far, Building and Planning has received 30 calls and at least 10 walk-in inquiries, she said.

Merrillville Councilman Richard Hardaway, D-1, said homeowners are eligible to for matching grants of up to $5,000 for home repairs, and businesses will receive matching grants of up to $10,000. The money must be spent by December 2026, so the program — of which the town set aside $300,000 — will be open until that $300,000 runs out, he said.

Once a person applies and is granted an award, they have seven days to apply for a construction permit, and then must pick it up within seven days after applying for it, Davis said. Once the work is completed, town inspectors will come to certify the work has been done.

When the work has been certified complete, the grant recipient will submit the invoices,andthetownwilltake careofthebalance,shesaid.

To apply for a Town ARP improvement grant, contact Quiana Davis at 219-769-3631.