Rural communities awarded $11M in federal improvement grants

The Cynthiana Town Hall building in Posey County. (photo courtesy of Google Maps) The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs is awarding nearly $11 million in federal grant funding to 15 rural communities throughout the state. The Community Development Block Grant funds will be used to expand community facilities, improve water infrastructure and eliminate blighted properties. OCRA is the state agency responsible for distributing federal CDBG funds, which are designed to assist units of government with various community projects. "It is great to see so many towns, cities and counties using the resources at their disposal to better their residents' quality of life," OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said in a news release. "Congratulations to the leaders in each of these communities. Your hard work does not go unnoticed and will have a lasting positive impact in your community." The following communities will receiving funding: Blight Clearance Vermillion County is awarded $500,000 to demolish three buildings in the town of Dana that have had long-term structural stability issues, broken glass windows, non-securable windows and entryways, and exposed mold and asbestos. Public Facilities The City of Auburn (DeKalb County) is awarded $750,000 to assist with the rehabilitation of damaged masonry, deteriorating lintels, and windows and doors of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum showroom facade preservation project. This restoration is an essential component in maintaining the safety, stability and functionality of the building. The Town of Silver Lake (Kosciusko County) is awarded $750,000 to construct a new community center, which will serve as a social and recreational hub through planned activities and programs. The community center will improve the quality of life for the residents and help ensure the town's long-term viability. The City of Logansport (Cass County) is awarded $750,000 to renovate the historic Logansport-Cass County Memorial Center, including improvements to building insulation, water damage and wood rot areas. The building will maintain its historical appearance and functionality as a community center. Wastewater/Drinking Water Improvements The City of Elwood (Madison County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to its drinking water infrastructure in the Dulleville neighborhood. Improvements include rehabilitating water mains, hydrants and valves to better public safety and water system reliability. The City of Montpelier (Blackford County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to its water utility system. This project will replace a leaking filter at the water treatment plant, replace failing residential water meters and install a Gateway system to receive data from the water meters. The water treatment plant will return to full capacity and increase water use efficiency for its customers. The Town of St. Joe (DeKalb County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to its water distribution system. The project will replace remaining asbestos cement water mains throughout portions of the town, install water main looping on the north side of the system and install new fire hydrants. This project will increase efficiency of water utility service, improve water quality and enhance resident safety. The Town of Syracuse (Kosciusko County) is awarded $700,000 to improve its water utility infrastructure system along Huntington Street and adjacent side streets. The water improvement project will replace the undersized and deteriorating water supply lines and gooseneck connections. This will increase treatment capacity, improve the system's efficiency and fire protection capabilities, and eliminate health risks. The Town of Michigantown (Clinton County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to its wastewater collection system, which consists of upgrades to it's lift station, pump, submerged attached growth reactor system, disinfection system and electrical system. These improvements will increase the reliability of the town's wastewater treatment plant and project the health of the residents. The Town of Otterbein (Tippecanoe/Benton County) is awarded $750,000 to complete a wastewater utility improvement project that includes the installation of slip-lining in over 6,000 feet of sanitary sewer lines, the rehabilitation of 28 manholes and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. This project will increase the overall efficiency of the wastewater system and improve residents' health and safety. The Town of Birdseye (Dubois County) is awarded $750,000 to complete improvements to its wastewater system by rehabilitating manholes and mains, installing an emergency bypass connection at a lift station and dredging lagoons. This project will address critical compliance and health and safety concerns. The Town of Cynthiana (Posey County) is awarded $673,500 to make necessary improvements to its water utility system. The project includes improvements to the water tower, meters, lids and valves to improve the system's ability to provide reliable clean drinking water for the community. The Town of Bloomingdale (Parke County) is awarded $700,000 to make necessary improvements to its water utility system. The project includes improvements to the water tower, distribution system and booster station that will increase water quality and enhance fire protection capabilities. The Town of Cloverdale (Putnam County) is awarded $750,000 to make improvements to its water utility system, including upgrading the water treatment plant, booster station and water main in order to better serve the Stardust Hills neighborhood. The Town of Thorntown (Boone County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to its water utility system. The project will rehabilitate the community's aging water treatment plant and add an additional water well to efficiently provide quality drinking water to residents.

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