A new sports complex, proposed library and computer program for special needs students at a local school are among 16 to receive funding from Rising Sun Regional Foundation June 25.

A total of $399,884 was awarded, including these grants to Ripley County entities:

• $50,000 to the Town of Versailles toward the construction of the first phase of a planned sports complex;

• $50,000 to the Osgood Public Library toward the construction of a new branch library in Milan;

• $31,163 to Ripley County Commissioners toward the purchase of two Ripley County Emergency Management Services chase vehicles;

• $25,980 to the Batesville Community School Corp. toward a new technology-related program for Batesville Intermediate School special and general education students;

• $25,000 to the Jac-Cen-Del Community School Corp. toward the purchase of Smart Option Mobile Labs, a new educational technology tool to enhance student achievement;

• $12,954 to St. John's Lutheran Church, Sunman, for the purchase of tables and chairs for its new afterschool program for children 5-12 in the Sunman region;

• $10,988 to the Ripley County 4-H Corp. to have concrete floors poured in the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park, Osgood, livestock show buildings;

• $7,558 to Special Olympics Indiana, Ripley, Ohio and Dearborn counties, for the purchase of a storage unit, portable clock scoreboard and girls basketball team uniforms;

• $2,000 to the Milan Lions Club toward the construction of a storage building for its community related items;

• $1,850 to Sons of the American Legion Post 173, Versailles, for the development of patriotic displays within Ripley County cemeteries.

Six grants were awarded closer to Grand Victoria Casino and Resort, which funds the program:

• $50,000 to Rising Sun Municipal Utilities toward the design and construction of a new water supply well for the long-term needs of the community;

• $50,000 to the City of Rising Sun toward the construction of a show arena at the Ohio County Community Park Educational and Recreational Facility, a major city/county joint project;

• $47,600 to the Rising Sun Ohio County Community School Corp. toward the purchase of projection systems for all elementary and middle school classrooms to make better use of the Internet;

• $15,000 to the City of Rising Sun toward the implementation of a Web site;

• $13,556 to the Ohio Circuit Court toward the purchase of two updated recording systems for its legal proceedings;

• $6,235 to Sons of the American Legion Post 59, Rising Sun, toward the construction of a storage building for memorial crosses, hospital beds, wheelchairs and other items for broad community use.

Foundation President Marianne Wiggers stated, “In its 12th year of grantmaking, the Rising Sun Regional Foundation continues to receive numerous grant applications for community and educational infrastructure purposes to which it attempts to respond in responsible and creative ways.”

“Despite a continuing reduction of foundation income,” she added, “due to the increased gaming competition in Indiana and a worsening overall economy, we will make every effort at RSRF to respond to the needs and opportunities in the region within our financial capabilities.”

RSRF was created in 1994 by the City of Rising Sun in conjunction with the development of the Grand Victoria Casino and Resort by the Hyatt Corp. The foundation began its grantmaking program in early 1997 after the casino opened for business. The Grand Victoria makes monthly contributions to the foundation based on a percentage of its adjusted gross revenue.