ELKHART, Ind. -- The City of Elkhart was awarded $1.5 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative dollars to support new housing and cultural investments through the Freight Street District Initiative.

According to the City of Elkhart, the Freight Street District Initiative's focus is on expanding downtown Elkhart's South Main Street corridor with new housing, commercial and retail space, public art, and cultural investments, with particular emphasis on the Love Plaza, National New York Central Museum, and expanded housing on Freight and Main Streets.

The new housing units are additionally said to be affordable, with monthly rent ranging from $500 to $1,600.

The Freight Street District Initiative comes as part of ASPIRE Elkhart, the city's long-term strategic investment plan.