Thursday, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced that 19 rural communities around the state received more than $10.8 million in federal grant funding.
“It is important we are recognizing the impact rural communities have on our economic future. We must continue to ensure they are working to complete much needed projects,” Crouch said. “There are several rounds of federal funding being awarded throughout the state over the course of a year. We are making an impact on how rural Indiana is transforming their quality of place for their residents.”
The state of Indiana distributes Community Development Block Grant 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.
“These funds will bring valuable, much-needed infrastructure improvements, upgrades and resources needed in our rural communities,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “Residents of rural Indiana will see an impact to their quality of life, health and safety once these projects are completed.”
The Main Street Revitalization Program encourages rural communities to focus on long-term community development efforts. Eligible applicants had a designated active Indiana Main Street group in their community and the project must be a part of the Main Street’s overall strategy. Main Street Revitalization Program projects include streetscapes, facade renovations and downtown infrastructure rehabilitation.
The City of Rochester was awarded $600,000 for downtown façade improvements. This project includes the facades of 10 buildings and consist of demolition of non-original alterations, and restorations of historic structural features such as storefronts, signage and cornices.
The goals of the Wastewater Drinking Water Program are to protect the health and environment, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth. Eligible Wastewater Drinking Water Program projects include many aspects of wastewater improvements and drinking water system improvements.
The City of Knox was awarded $700,000 for wastewater system improvements. This project will replace the mechanical screening and grit removal equipment, construct a new pre-treatment building and make improvements to the plant force main and gravity sewer.
Funding for OCRA’s five CDBG programs originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers the program for the state of Indiana.
