09 26 2024 Lt. Gov. Crouch, OCRA announce four communities to receive $280K in federal planning grants

INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 26, 2024) - Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouchand the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairstoday announced four Indiana communities will receive over $280,000 in Planning Grants through the Community Development Block Grant program. The communities will use the funds to develop plans for long-term comprehensive development and the implementation of utility improvement projects.

"As communities across the state continue to attract more residents, it is important that they are maintaining a strong infrastructure," said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Congratulations to each of these Hoosier communities on receiving these grants."

The Planning Grant program encourages communities to plan for sustainable community development with the aid of subject matter experts and community input. The applications being funded this quarter address downtown revitalization and water utilities efforts.

"The Planning Grant program is a great opportunity for communities to get ahead," said OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett. "By creating strong plans for development now, these four towns will be best prepared to carry out successful projects down the road, and as a result, increase the quality of life in their communities."

Downtown Revitalization Planning Grants aim to provide a comprehensive strategy for revitalizing the downtown area in rural communities by addressing demographic, economic and social aspects, as well as physical and cultural conditions. The plan serves as a roadmap for leveraging current assets, securing funding sources, and building community engagement to revitalize the downtown business district area and promote economic growth.

A Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant of $40,000 is awarded to the Town of Middletown.

Water Infrastructure Grants allow communities to complete a holistic study of potential issues and opportunities across their drinking, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. By completing this planning, communities will be able to make decisions regarding their most urgent water needs while understanding how each system works in context with other utility systems.

Water Infrastructure Planning Grants are awarded to three communities:

• The Town of Winamac is awarded $90,000.
• TheTown of Napoleon is awarded $60,000.
• The Town of Wingate is awarded $90,000.

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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Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch,who serves as Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs' (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov.

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