Poland, IND. – The Wabash Valley Community Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant from its Community Builders Institute to the Town of Poland to add free public Wi-Fi to its downtown area.

In 2022, the Community Foundation implemented the Clay County Community Builders Institute to address “Quality of Life Placemaking.” This Institute was designed to encourage interactions between Clay County residents by marketing the county’s assets. Community teams were formed, with six tours serving the communities of Poland/Bowling Green, Center Point, Staunton, Cory, Brazil and Clay City. At each tour, participants were able to interact in-depth with the people at the heart of their towns. Each community team participating in the Institute received a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation to support the individuals, families and businesses in their towns. It was the decision of each team how they wished to use the grant for the betterment of their communities.

The Poland community team consisted of Nancy Jonas, Anna Long, Kenzie Pittman, Doug Smock, Mary Jo Smock and Scott Tieken. “After reviewing surveys distributed in both areas of Poland and Bowling Green and small group discussions, it was determined our small community was in need of an enhanced Wi-Fi connection which would enable residents and travelers to our community to have access to the internet in a central location” said Anna Long.

Public Wi-Fi will be available in the downtown Poland area by the installation of a router on the centrally located Lions’ Den building. This will allow area residents and visitors access to communication which they did not previously have. This includes community students who currently do not have access to Wi-Fi for e-learning.

“The Wi-Fi router will be installed outside the Poland Lions Club [Den] as a part of an ongoing plan to improve the downtown and make it more friendly to visitors,” said Doug Smock. “The grant will be administered by the local Lions Club and is scheduled to begin in the spring.”

Supportive connections are formed when people are involved in their community, resulting in thriving and prosperous towns. The Wabash Valley Community Foundation and the participants in the Community Builders Institute are continuously working together for the betterment of not only the communities of Clay County, but for individuals, families and neighbors alike, helping to create a better tomorrow.

The Community Builders Institute is open to the public. Anyone interested in volunteerism, philanthropy, or even just in their community is encouraged to participate in 2023. If you are interested in participating in the Community Builders Institute, please contact Jonathan Eilbracht at jonathan@wvcf.org or 812-232-2234.

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by
and for the people in Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties. The Community Foundation
enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the
organizations and issues they care about – immediately or through their estate plans.
Individuals, families, businesses and organizations may give to existing funds or
establish a charitable fund at the Community Foundation by contributing a variety of
assets. For more information on the Community Foundation, please contact
812.232.2234 or visit www.wvcf.org.