OCRA announces federal grants for 20 Indiana communities

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Over $3 million in federal block grant funding is coming to 20 rural Hoosier communities.

Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs says it will handle the distribution of $3.6 million in funding that covers a series of five different grants.

First is the Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Grants which are meant for low- to moderate-income homeowners for repair work on their houses. Qualified repair work includes roof repair, HVAC system repairs and ADA upgrades.

Four communities are getting $50,000 in comprehensive planning grants to plan out future developments and service needs. Lastly, OCRA is distributing utility planning grants for communities to address their wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

In addition, the town of Oxford was awarded $30,000 for a Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant and Pulaski County received a $50,000 Broadband Readiness Planning Grant.

OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett said the funding is “vital” to many communities in Indiana.

“Congratulations to the communities receiving these important grants, these funds are vital to improving the quality of life throughout the Hoosier state,” Bennett said. “I look forward to seeing how these improvements will benefit our rural cities and towns and encourage others to apply when the next round opens.”

Communities receiving money through the federal grants include:

Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Grants

• The Town of Bloomfield is awarded $350,000
• The City of Mitchell is awarded $350,000
• The City of North Vernon is awarded $350,000
• The City of Tell City is awarded $350,000
• The City of Martinsville is awarded $350,000
• The City of Bedford is awarded $300,000
• The City of Seymour is awarded $350,000
• Henry County is awarded $500,000

Comprehensive Planning Grants (all communities receive $50,000)

• The City of Aurora
• The Town of Brookville
• The Town of Goodland
• The Town of Lewisville

Utility Study Planning Grants

• The Town of Carthage is awarded $90,000
• The Town of Dana is awarded $60,000
• The Town of Dayton is awarded $86,000
• The Town of Kewanna is awarded $58,320
• Fayette County is awarded $60,000
• Rush County is awarded $87,000