Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs Thursday announced 20 rural Indiana communities will be awarded over $12.2 million in federal grant funding to create and expand community facilities and improve water infrastructure. The Town of Walkerton will receive $400,000 to update their water towers.
“The grants provided to these communities will support necessary projects that may not have been possible without the help of this funding,” Crouch said. “By improving water infrastructure and public facilities, communities are improving public health and safety for their residents.”
The goals of the Wastewater/Drinking Water Programare 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 Town of Walkerton was awarded $400,000 to replace structural material and install new mechanical equipment on two existing elevated water storage tanks. Improvements will include interior and exterior sandblasting to remove rust and corrosion, steel structure replacement, interior joint lining, interior and exterior weather guard epoxy coatings, installation of new internal mixing units, anti-freeze vents, and other miscellaneous components.
The State of Indiana distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities, which assist units of local government with various community projects such as infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development.
“These grants are so important to our rural communities,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “This funding makes it possible for towns, cities and counties to carry out projects to prevent flooding, provide safe drinking water or expand community centers. Each of these projects will help to improve the quality of life for local Hoosiers.”
Funding for OCRA’s CDBG programs originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program and is administered for the State of Indiana by OCRA. For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/cdbg/.
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