The City of Frankfort is preparing to apply for the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Planning Grant to support the creation of a new comprehensive plan. This plan will serve as a blueprint for the City’s future, guiding development, infrastructure improvements, and community initiatives. The City’s last comprehensive plan was completed in [ ], and since then, Frankfort has experienced significant changes in population growth, housing demand, and infrastructure needs. Updating the plan ensures Frankfort is positioned to address current challenges and seize new opportunities.
As part of the grant application process, the City of Frankfort is actively seeking input from residents, business owners, and community stakeholders. The comprehensive plan binder, which outlines the proposed preliminary information, is available for public review at the Clerk Treasurer’s Office, located at Old Stoney – City Hall (301 East Clinton Street). The binder is available for viewing during regular business hours.
“We strongly encourage everyone in our community to stop by and review the materials,” said Mayor Judy Sheets. “This is a critical opportunity for our residents to get involved and help shape the future of Frankfort. A comprehensive plan is only as good as the community’s vision, and we need your voice to make positive and lasting change.”
In the coming weeks, the City of Frankfort will also be releasing a community-wide survey. The survey is a key component of the grant process, allowing residents to provide constructive feedback on the community’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as suggesting changes they would like to see implemented. The survey will help to identify priorities such as downtown development, neighborhood revitalization, housing, parks, and public safety – areas where community voices are essential in setting direction.
A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, November 10th, at 7:00 p.m. during the regular City Council Meeting, providing residents with an opportunity to ask questions and provide additional input on the grant application and comprehensive planning process.
“This is your chance to constructively critique our community and voice what changes you would like to see being made,” added Community Development Director Kimberly Black. “Your participation is vital to this process. The information we gather will directly inform the goals and priorities of our new comprehensive plan.”
The City of Frankfort is committed to a transparent and inclusive planning process. Securing this grant enables Frankfort to access state funding to support local planning, thereby reducing its reliance on local tax dollars and making it possible to pursue big-picture improvements in a cost-effective manner. Public participation is essential to the success of this initiative, and the City looks forward to working collaboratively with the community to build a vibrant and prosperous future.
The CDBG Planning Grant is a competitive grant program administered by OCRA that provides funding to Indiana communities for various planning activities, including the development of comprehensive plans, downtown revitalization plans, and other initiatives.