(Photo courtesy Facebook/Tool Library)

State Farm is giving $1 million in grants through its Neighborhood Assist program. 

Staring today through March 29, applicants can submit their projects that would benefit education, community development or safety.  Only the first 4000 applications will be accepted.

“If you know you need a park in your neighborhood, you name it,” State Farm spokesman Matt Edwards said. “We’ve seen everything from camps for kids to dog parks to tearing down a dangerous building.” 

A youth advisory board will select 200 finalists in the spring and the public will vote on the top 40 projects that will get $25,000 each.  The Neighborhood Assist program is in its fourth year. 

Click HERE for Susan’s interview with Matt Edwards on WJBC.

Tool Library 

In 2012, the Tool Library on Bloomington’s west side opened after getting a Neighborhood Assist grant from State Farm. Andy Maxwell is director of the free tool lending program. 

“First time I walked in, I was just blown away by how much there is, the great tools they can to rent,” Maxwell said. “Talking to community members who come in, you can tell this is something people are really happy to have and people really want to get engaged with it.”

Click HERE for Susan’s in depth interview with Andy Maxwell and fellow tool librarian Robert Bosquez on WJBC.

Susan Saunders (with help from WJBC’s Eric Stock) 3-9-15