Hoosier communities receive $1 million in federal grants
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Eight Indiana communities will receive a total of nearly $1 million in federal grants to support home repairs for low-income families and community planning initiatives for infrastructure, utility and downtown improvements as well as other economic development efforts.
The Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development committed to Indiana are administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
“By directing resources straight to local leaders and hardworking Hoosiers, we’re ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver real results,” Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said in a news release announcing the awards. “These grants create safer homes for families, allow research on potentially dangerous situations, and provide strategies to expand and thrive economically. Empowering communities produces private-sector growth and secures an even brighter future for Indiana.”
Rush County was awarded a $500,000 Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Grant to help low- and moderate-income homeowners make repairs such as roof and heating and cooling replacement and lighting and electrical upgrades.
The towns of St. Paul and Versailles each received a $50,000 Comprehensive Planning Grant to address needs in areas such as land use, housing, transportation, public services and economic development.
The town of Fairmont received a $40,000 Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant to build community support and secure additional funding to improve the downtown business district.
Four towns received Utility Study Planning Grants to better understand their drinking water, wastewater and stormwater needs. Farmland, Kentland and Shelburn each received $90,000. Walton was awarded $87,284.
“Congratulations to these eight communities awarded Community Development Block Grant funding,” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said in the release. “Local leaders are making concerted efforts to improve their communities for the long term. Whether it’s an Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Grant or one of our Planning Grants, I commend these communities for taking action to improve the local quality of life.”