Lt. Gov. Crouch, OCRA award $200,000 to help combat loneliness in rural communities

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 10, 2024) -Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouchand the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairstoday announced 10 communities and organizations will be awarded funding through the Building Socially Connected Communities program. This pilot program aims to combat isolation and loneliness by funding projects that enhance social connections within communities, with a focus on Hoosiers living in rural areas.

"It is so fitting that the Building Socially Connected Communities awardees are announced today on World Mental Health Day," said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Loneliness is an epidemic within Indiana's existing battle with mental illness and addiction, and I celebrate OCRA's commitment to combat that in rural Indiana."

Communities and organizations receiving Building Socially Connected Communities grant funding include:

• Town of Vernon is awarded $50,000
• Town of Hope is awarded $44,285
• Rush County Economic and Community Development Corporation is awarded $27,000
• Merom Camp and Retreat Center, is awarded $24,500
• Brown County Art Gallery Foundation is awarded $20,000
• Owen County Community Foundation is awarded $14,000
• Orange County Community Gardens is awarded $9,215
• Thriving Grant County, INC. is awarded $5,000
• Traditional Arts Today is awarded $5,000
• North Daviess Spanish 4 is awarded $1,000

Of the 10 communities funded this round, the average population size is 2,757 residents. The largest community awarded is Rushville, with a population of 6,135, and the smallest community is Merom, with 206 residents.

"This pilot round of the Building Socially Connected Communities program had a total available funding of $200,000, and we saw a request of more than $800,000 through the application process," said OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett. "This kind of demand is very encouraging to see and truly emphasizes the need for a program helping enhance social connection in our rural communities."

Throughout the implementation of these projects, awardees will participate in a community of practice, allowing them to share insights, strategies and best practices to maximize the impact of their initiatives. In July 2026, a virtual town hall will be held for awardees to present their projects and discuss the impacts they are observing.

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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.