Randy receives the 2021 NAR Commercial Award

Randy is pleased to announce and honored to receive the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) 2021 Commercial Award for his leadership chairing the Economic and Community Development Council (ECDC) of the MIBOR REALTOR® Association. The NAR Commercial Award program honors REALTORS® who received an award or recognition for their exceptional service and contributions to the commercial real estate industry.

Randy’s work chairing the MIBOR’s ECDC is dear to his heart because of its positive impact on Indianapolis MSA counties and the people who live in them. Economic and community development also directly affects the sustainability of the Indiana real estate industry. 

Through a focus on “placemaking,” the ECDC helps communities reimagine public spaces to maximize shared value, strengthening the connection between people and the places they share. 

MIBOR ECDC Projects

The following are projects that have been completed or are underway that the ECDC has helped fund.

Completed

  • IndyHub, Camp IndyHub
  • West Indianapolis Development Corporation, Project
  • Homeownership Boone EDC, Day of Service
  • Indy Gateway

Ongoing

  • Visit Indy and Hamilton County Tourism, White River Vision Plan
  • Crawfordsville Main Street, Wayfinding
  • KIB, Project GreenSpace
  • Harrison Center for the Arts, Greatriarch Gatherings
  • Blue River Community Foundation, Porter Park Storybook Trail
  • BRVA, RiverWalk
  • The city of Anderson Parks and Recreation, Canoe and Kayak Ramp
  • Indy Gateway, Transit Education
  •  SEND, Twin Aire Skilled Trades Accelerator Feasibility Study

Project Highlights

Here is a sampling of MIBOR ECDC grant projects. To view more details, download or view the PDF below.

West Indianapolis Development Corporation (WIDC) 

Homeownership Project

  • The West Indianapolis Development Corporation attended the Marion County Treasurer’s tax sale to purchase vacant lots in areas where vacant land is scarce to help build attainable housing.
  • In late October, the WIDC used the $5,000 MIBOR ECDC investment to purchase a portion of the four properties that the organization was successful in bidding on. The total purchase price for these vacant lots was just over $16,000.
  • WIDC aims to build two new homes every year for the next five years. Even though WIDC has only just purchased the land, they have a waiting list of sixteen families who are looking for an opportunity to call West Indianapolis home because of this program.

Harrison Center for the Arts Greatriarchs Gatherings

Harrison Center for the Arts Greatriarchs Gatherings

Funds supported the Harrison Center Greatriarch Gatherings. “Greatriarchs” are long-term urban residents who have helped write their neighborhood story. The Greatriarchs initiative uses art to celebrate the stories of long-term neighborhood residents/seniors, reduce social isolation, and elevate these stories for community cultural preservation.

Blue River Community Foundation, Porter Park Storybook Trail

(Underway)

MIBOR ECDC, along with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), awarded the city of Shelbyville, Indiana, with an $11,500 Placemaking grant to create a linear park behind the historic Porter Center in Shelbyville. Transforming the area into a rest area for trail users and a storybook trail for children will encourage trail users to utilize the west section of the Shelby County trail system. .

Harrison Center for the Arts Greatriarchs Gatherings

Funds supported the Harrison Center Greatriarch Gatherings. “Greatriarchs” are long-term urban residents who have helped write their neighborhood story. The Greatriarchs initiative uses art to celebrate the stories of long-term neighborhood residents/seniors, reduce social isolation, and elevate these stories for community cultural preservation.

Learn more about the ECDC’s work by viewing the PDF below.