April 5, 2018
Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Thursday that more than $11 million in federal grant funding is being awarded to 21 rural Hoosier communities.
“We must continue to provide support for our rural communities if we want to keep Indiana’s economy thriving,” Crouch said. “Through these grants, local governments are able to enhance their quality of life for their citizens and encourage more growth opportunities.”
Marshall County was awarded $500,000 for the construction of a multi-purpose community building to be located at the county fairgrounds in Argos. The building will be approximately 8,000 square feet and able to accommodate more than 400 individuals for a variety of year-round events. This project will help the 4-H Fair become more financial stable with the additional funding.
Applications for round three of the federal Community Development Block Grant Program were due to OCRA on February 9, 2018. The state of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects like: improving infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public facilities improvements and economic development.
“The importance of CDBG funding cannot be overstated,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “These grants have an incredibly positive impact on communities across our state by building new community facilities, improving quality of place and providing necessary improvements to local infrastructure.”
Golden said that OCRA wants to be a good partner to all rural communities and be a resource on grant applications, and if assistance is needed during any part of the process, please reach out.
The first round of the 2018 CDBG program will begin on April 16 with proposals due on May 25. Final applications are due August 16.
For more information about these programs, contact Eric Ogle, CDBG Program Director.