Springs Valley Bank & Trust donates $105,000 to Jasper library/arts efforts

In addition to a $30,000 donation to the Jasper LEADs efforts, Springs Valley Bank & Trust announced an additional $75,000 donation to the Jasper Public Library Endowment.

The amount is contingent upon the passage of the Jasper Library referendum request for voters to support the library’s efforts to build a new library at the corner of Mill Street and Third Avenue; the former Hoosier Desk factory property.

The $75,000 announced today is in addition to the $75,000 grant from the Dubois County Community Foundation that was announced last week. The endowment now holds about $185,000 to go to programming and future sustainability for the library.

“A growing and vibrant downtown is a catalyst for housing and commerce,” said Jamie Shinabarger, president and CEO at Springs Valley. “The combination of these elements contributes to a robust economy, which benefits the community.”

Springs Valley Bank & Trust’s $30,000 donation to Jasper LEADs — a community fund drive to support the Library, Enrichment, Arts, and Downtown developments the cultural center, Astra theatre and downtown improvements signify — is also conditional upon the passage of the referendum. The Jasper LEADs fundraiser has had about $4.1 million in pledges to date. The goal is to raise $8 million.

“With a trusted partner in the Dubois County Community Foundation, we are confident in our investment in the endowment,” said Craig Buse, Chief Operations Officer. “This investment shows our commitment to future growth and sustainability of our local community, the people we are here to serve on a daily basis.”

In addition to the money pledged to Jasper LEADs and the Jasper Library Endowment, the state has awarded the project about $3.4 million in tax credits. The Jasper Community Arts Council has also indicated another endowment will be established to help support the arts portion of the Jasper Cultural Center.