Originally published in the Chronicle-Tribune, July 2, 2008
By Andrea Hirsch

GAS CITY — The Gas City council gave a community group the OK to apply for a $483,000 grant to restore the historic Thompson-Ray House, 401 Main St., at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Leadership Education and Development Inc., a company designed offer leadership training, plans to buy the house and use it for leadership and community activities.

Anne Mannix, president of the Neighborhood Development Associates LLC, based out of South Bend, said they are asking the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs for the money. Mannix is assisting LEAD Inc. with the grant proposal.

The house is currently owned by Gas City residents Henry Olynger and Patricia Edwards, who bought the house with the intention of restoring it as a community center. Mannix said LEAD Inc. has not made an official offer to buy to the owners yet.

“We want to help remember what Gas City used to look like,” Mannix said.

Jerry Long, president of the Gas City Historical Society and one of the board members for the project, said he thinks any building that can be saved is worth delving into.

State Rep. Tim Harris, R-Marion, said LEAD Inc. offers eighth, ninth and tenth-grade students in Grant County the chance to learn individual, team and community leadership in its three-year program.

“A dream of many of us is that, when people look for leadership, they look to Grant County,” Harris said. “The Thompson-Ray House will give us exactly what we need.”