It all began in April of 1986, after months of planning and preparation, members of the East Central Neighborhood Association spun off a new entity charged with the responsibility of creating clean, safe, and affordable housing in Muncie.

Since its inception in 1986, ECRC has returned 9 properties to the private sector, has completed 20 single family rehabilitation, has rehabilitated 18 units of multi-family housing, is currently in construction with 6 single family houses, is preparing work specifications for 3 pending projects, has proposed 2 other projects, owns and oversees the and mows and maintains 15 vacant lots! Recipients of ECRC projects and programs include many single family, female head of household families or moderate income families who are able to purchase a home for the first time, using the ECRC lease-purchase program along with other homeowner programs.

ECRC strives to work with numerous governmental and public agencies to facilitate response to neighborhood concerns. Trees in the Washington Park were a result of ECRC involvement with both Muncie Delaware Clean and Beautiful as well as the Park Department. Meetings of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Committee (mainly concerned with the noise of the trains as they pass through our inner city areas) has representation from ECRC. There was ECRC representation on committees that were involved in recreation and leisure studies, as well as several fact finding meetings of the Delaware County Tourism Committee.

ECRC has written and received nearly a million dollars from a large variety of grants sources, including ones from the Community Foundation of Muncie-Delaware County, the Indiana Department of Commerce, the Indiana Council on the Humanities, Community Development Block Grant Funds, HOME Investment Partnership funds, the Urban Enterprise Association, Local Initiaves Support Corporation, Indiana Association of Community and Economic Development, and a HUD Neighborhood Demonstration Grant. The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis has allowed ECRC to access loan funds through a linked deposit at Star Financial Bank, using these funds to allow future homeowners to lease-purchase a newly rehabbed home. Private funding in the form of mortgages, donations, and rental income dollars have more than matched the grant funds listed above. ECRC takes literally the "reinvestment" portion of its name!!! If you didn't realize ECRC's impact on the neighborhood, then you have not had your home appraised lately.

ECRC could not have accomplished any of the above without the dedication of a board of directors--all volunteers--who have made wise decisions and frugal commitments of the neighborhood resources. MANY THANKS go out publicly to these wonderful people. Currently, they include Wade Jennings, Donna Johnsonbaugh, Mike Shaw. In the past, members have included Jim Cook, Mike Sullivan, Mike Mavis (Current Construction Manager), Owen Glendening, Caroline Sullivan, Troy Washington, Lavelle Brooks, Rev. Gerry Moore, Mark Kozlowski, Frederick Grue, Mike Goodman, Joe Wilson, Jon Kern, Tracy Rabel, Teresa Huggins, Chip Porter, Pam Flynt, Bill Morgan, Joe Hadley, and Jerry Thornburg. Many thanks and a heartfelt appreciation for your service to our neighborhood.

If you would like to know more about ECRC, apply for our programs, or to make a donation, please contact us!