Crouch announces $11M awarded to 21 rural communities

STATEHOUSE (April 5, 2018) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced today that more than $11 million in federal grant funding is being awarded to 21 rural Hoosier communities.

“We must continue to provide support for our rural communities if we want to keep Indiana’s economy thriving,” Crouch said. “Through these grants, local governments are able to enhance their quality of life for their citizens and encourage more growth opportunities.”

Applications for round three of the federal Community Development Block Grant Program were due to OCRA on February 9, 2018. The state of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects like: improving infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public facilities improvements and economic development.

“The importance of CDBG funding cannot be overstated,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “These grants have an incredibly positive impact on communities across our state by building new community facilities, improving quality of place and providing necessary improvements to local infrastructure.”

Feedback for communities that were not funded will be provided by the CDBG Program Director in the coming weeks.

Golden said that OCRA wants to be a good partner to all rural communities and be a resource on grant applications, and if assistance is needed during any part of the process, please reach out.

The first round of the 2018 CDBG program will begin on April 16 with proposals due on May 25. Final applications are due August 16 at 4 p.m ET.

For more information about these programs, contact Eric Ogle, CDBG Program Director.