AARP Idaho Announces Community Challenge Grant Recipient

AARP Idaho announces one winner for the AARP Community Challenge, aiming to create change and improve quality of life at the community-level. The winning project was awarded to Idaho Smart Growth. This project is funded through the AARP Community Challenge grant and is set to be completed by November 1, 2017.

“Kuna is a vibrant and growing community that shares in our belief that well designed, livable communities promote better health and sustain economic growth,” said Lupe Wissel AARP Idaho state director.  “We’re excited about this project and look forward to Kuna residents of every age benefiting from this grant.”

In conjunction with Kuna’s Downtown Revitalization Plan, Idaho Smart Growth will use the $10,000 grant to create a “pop-up plaza” with live entertainment, food trucks and a farmers market designed to draw upon the communities vision to revitalize a blighted city parking lot. The neglected lot is an ideal hub for revitalizing downtown and connecting neighborhoods with city parks, the greenbelt and Main Street. This project is critical to the City of Kuna’s plan for redevelopment of the site and implementation of the Downtown Revitalization Plan.

“Great communities require careful planning and time,” said AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond. “These quick action projects will give community leaders the motivation and momentum to create greater change.”

All of the winning projects in this challenge will deliver on one or all of the following:

• Improve social connections through the built environment benefiting people of all ages and abilities in the community.
• Expand opportunities for all residents, such as job, volunteer, and educational/training opportunities.
• Drive inclusive community engagement and interaction across a diverse population.

For a complete list of the winners and projects, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.