Beckwith, OCRA Passing Out $9.4 million
| The Office of Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced 15 rural communities will receive more than $9.4 million in federal grant funding to expand community facilities, improve water infrastructure and eliminate blight. “Hoosiers deserve a safe and vibrant place to live, work, and thrive,” Lieutenant Governor Beckwith said. “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.” OCRA distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities, which assist units of local government with various community projects such as infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development. “Congratulations to these 15 communities for earning funds for much needed local improvements,” said OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn. “Each project will improve the quality of life for their residents and I applaud these leaders for taking action.” The Blight Clearance Program strives to encourage Indiana communities with blighted properties to focus on long-term community development and revitalization through improving quality of place, generating jobs and spurring economic revitalization. Eligible projects to receive grant funding through BCP are deteriorated or abandoned downtown buildings or vacant and unusable industrial sites. Projects receiving funding include: Benton County $468,500 Jonesboro $375,000 Shadeland $150,000 Warsaw and Fellowship Mission $500,000 Morgan County $610,450 Seelyville $750,000 Brazil $750,000 Camden $750,000 Claypool $750,000 Earl Park $600,000 Hope $750,000 Hymera $750,000 LaCrosse $750,000 Odon $750,000 Scottsburg $750,000 Funding for OCRA’s CDBG programs originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program and is administered for the State of Indiana by OCRA. For more information, visit in.gov/ocra/cdbg. -30- |