How to Get the Monroe County Stormwater Partnership Cost-Share Program

What you get

The Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District reimburses 75 percent of total project cost, up to $3,000, for water-quality projects on residential property. Rain gardens are a named eligible project, alongside gully erosion repair, culvert washouts, minor stream stabilization, drainage flooding, water catchment and invasive species control; all projects must improve or impact soil health and water quality. Check the boundary before applying: funding is available only to Monroe County residents living OUTSIDE the City of Bloomington and the Town of Ellettsville, and Bloomington ZIP codes extend past the city limits into the unincorporated county. A landowner may apply only once every three years, so the $3,000 is a three-year ceiling rather than an annual one. A site visit, board approval, a signed agreement and a W-9 come before any work, and reimbursement is paid in arrears after staff check-out. Applications are accepted year-round and funds are limited annually (Monroe County SWCD, Stormwater Partnership; last verified August 2026).

• Residential: 75% of total project cost, up to $3,000

Are you eligible?

• Be a Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District customer
• Property located in: Unionville, Smithville, Harrodsburg, Stinesville
• Monroe County, Indiana resident living outside the City of Bloomington and the Town of Ellettsville
• Project must improve or impact soil health and/or water quality
• Site visit by the Resource Conservation Specialist and board approval before work begins
• Signed agreement of understanding and a W-9 required
• A landowner may apply only once every three years
• Reimbursement paid in arrears after project completion and staff check-out

What applying usually looks like

A general guide. Always confirm the exact steps on the official program page, since each provider runs its process a little differently.

1. 1

   Apply and get written approval first

   Submit your application to Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District and wait for written approval before you remove any turf or start work. Starting early is the most common reason a rebate is denied.

2. 2

   Do the conversion

   Replace your lawn with the qualifying landscaping, following the eligibility requirements above.

3. 3

   Submit your claim

   After the work is done, submit your claim on the official program page. Confirm the exact forms, receipts, and any photos they require there, since those vary by program.