Rural Communities Score Federal Grants

Thursday, December 1, 2016 04:44 PM EDT Updated: Friday, December 2, 2016 09:31 AM EDT
By Alex Brown
Rural Communities Score Federal Grants

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs is awarding more than $12 million in federal grants to 25 rural communities for various quality of life projects. The money will fund improvements to water and wastewater systems and public facilities, as well as main street revitalizations and blight elimination projects.

The funding was made available through the federal Community Development Block Grant Program, which is administered by OCRA. The grants were split among six different programs.

"Each city and town has differing needs for what will best contribute to the development of their community," said Bill Konyha, executive director of OCRA. "That is why there are a wide variation of programs under CDBG, so as to best cater to every community whether they are focused on improving water quality, developing public facilities or assisting their local workforce."

More than $7.5 million was awarded through the Wastewater Drinking Water Program, which aims to protect the health of residents and the environment, reduce utility rates and improve rural infrastructure. The recipients include:

  • Andrews – $600,000
  • Atlanta – $700,000
  • Birdseye – $450,000
  • Brazil – $450,000
  • Greentown – $550,000
  • Kirklin – $650,000
  • Ligonier – $650,000
  • Michigantown – $600,000
  • Nashville – $592,000
  • Otterbein – $700,000
  • Palmyra – $600,000
  • Portland – $600,000
  • Sullivan County – $450,000

OCRA is awarding $2 million through the Stormwater Improvement Program, which seeks "to reduce flooding, to cut stormwater treatment and energy costs, to protect rivers, lakes and vital landscape and to generate jobs and spur economic revitalization." The recipients include:

  • Brookston – $500,000
  • Crothersville – $500,000
  • Sheridan – $500,000
  • Whitestown – $500,000

Three communities also received funding through the Mainstreet Revitalization Program, which encourages communities to "focus on long-term community development efforts." The recipients include:

  • Auburn – $500,000
  • Greenfield – $500,000
  • Spencer – $500,000

Nearly $1 million will be awarded through the Public Facilities Program, which seeks to improve community facilities including community centers, daycares, museums and libraries. The recipients include:

  • Orange County – $500,000
  • Walkerton – $400,000

Additionally, Jackson and Wabash counties each received $250,000 through the Workforce Development Program. The town of Van Buren also received $195,000 through the Blight Clearance Program. 

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