Rural Indiana communities awarded $9.4M in community development grants

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has announced more than $9.4 million in federal grants awarded to 15 rural communities throughout the state. The Community Development Block Grant funding will go toward projects to expand community facilities, improve water infrastructure and eliminate blight, the agency said. The grant funding is designed to assist units of local government with various community projects. OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said in a news release that each project receiving funding will improve the quality of life for residents. The grant awards were awarded through OCRA's Blight Clearance Program, Public Facilities Program, Stormwater Improvement Program, and Wastewater/Drinking Water Program. The grant recipients are:Blight Clearance Program Benton County is awarded $468,500 to demolish the old Oxford Elementary building, a 45,104 square foot structure. Debris will be removed and the site will be restored and reseeded, increasing safety in the community. The City of Jonesboro (Grant County) is awarded $375,000 to safely demolish the old JC Knight School, formerly the city's high school. By eliminating environmental hazards, this will improve community safety and promote neighborhood revitalization. The Town of Shadeland (Tippecanoe County) is awarded $150,000 to demolish two deteriorated buildings to eliminate hazards, improve community safety and focus on revitalization. The City of Warsaw (Kosciusko County) and Fellowship Mission are awarded $500,000 to demolish two blighted buildings and remove the asbestos-contaminated materials on East Winona Avenue. “Hoosiers deserve a safe and vibrant place to live, work, and thrive,” Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said in the release. “Blighted properties lead to lower property values, increased crime rates, and poor economic development, but these grants can help these communities turn the corner. They will improve our neighborhoods, making them a more attractive place for both families and businesses.” Public Facilities Program Morgan County is awarded $610,450 to update a large recreation center at the Martinsville Youth and Development Center. The facility serves fifth to eighth graders from multiple townships and aims to enhance services for families in the county. Stormwater Improvement Program The Town of Seelyville (Vigo County) is awarded $750,000 to rehabilitate inadequate drainage on Marie Avenue, Baker Street and Park Avenue. The upgrades aim to improve stormwater management, which disrupts the wastewater system and causes flooding, damaging properties and blocking roads. Wastewater/Drinking Water Program The City of Brazil (Clay County) is awarded $750,000 to rehabilitate the city’s water system, including upgrades to provide increased capacity and improve the water system’s operational control. This will enhance the safety and health of residents. The Town of Camden (Carroll County) is awarded $750,000 to complete necessary work to the treatment plant. This includes replacing the failing gravity filter, cleaning and rehabilitating the detention tank and addressing rust and manganese in the distribution system. The project will reduce energy consumption by upgrading manual read meters with new digital read meters. The Town of Claypool (Kosciusko County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to the wastewater system. The proposed project will make improvements to the wastewater treatment plant, collection system and lift stations. The Town of Earl Park (Benton County) is awarded $600,000 to rehabilitate the town's water system. The improvements include new water lines, water valves and fire hydrants. The Town of Hope (Bartholomew County) is awarded $750,000 for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. The project includes installing a new force main at the Goshen Meadows Lift Station and addressing capacity issues at the Moravian Lift Station. The Town of Hymera (Sullivan County) is awarded $750,000 to rehabilitate the town's water system. This includes installing a higher capacity elevated water storage tank to increase storage capacity and reduce daily water loss. As a result, residents will have safe, reliable and affordable drinking water and enhanced fire protection. The Town of LaCrosse (LaPorte County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to the wastewater system. The proposed project will make improvements to the wastewater treatment plant lagoons, enhancing health and safety in the community. The Town of Odon (Daviess County) is awarded $750,000 to upgrade its water system. The project will expand the treatment plant, increase water supply, and add a new filtration unit and high service pumps. The City of Scottsburg (Scott County) is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to the water system. The proposed project will make improvements to the water distribution system and add new hydrants.

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