“When quality of life in rural Indiana is high, it improves the quality of life of our entire state,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I celebrate the work of these rural towns and cities who took the extra step to improve their communities by earning these grants.”

The Office of Community and Rural Affairs 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 rural towns and cities for their hard work in earning these grant funds," said OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett. "Quality of life improvement projects such as these can be transformational for our Hoosier communities and their residents."

The Public Facilities Program creates and expands community facilities that enhance the lives of residents. Eligible projects include fire stations, community facilities, libraries, museums, community centers and performance spaces that open doors to knowledge, ideas, culture and enjoyment.

• The City of Attica and Attica Firefighters, Inc. will receive $461,190 for a fire station expansion, including a new truck bay.

The goals of the Wastewater and Drinking Water program are to protect resident and environmental health, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth.

Projects receiving Wastewater and Drinking Water program grant funding include:

• The Town of Akronis awarded $700,000 to improve the overall water quality, water pressure and firefighting capabilities within the town. This grant will support the replacement of all valves and internal piping in the town’s water supply wells, improvements at the water treatment plant, rehabilitation of water storage tanks and upsizing the existing town water main.
• The Town of Brookstonis awarded $600,000 for essential improvements to their existing water utility system. This project will include rehabilitation at the water filter plant, replacement of fire hydrants and isolation valves, and replacing all existing water service meters with digital read meters and necessary software.
• The Town of Conversewill receive $700,000 to update the town's water treatment plant and replace water meters. The project also includes the installation of a new mixer in the elevated water storage tank that will reduce freeze concerns during cold weather which will improve town water quality.
• The Town of Francesvilleis awarded $700,000 to make repairs and improvements to the town's water treatment plant. The grant will also fund the replacement of individual service meters in their current meter pits.
• Hagerstownis awarded $700,000 for necessary improvements to the town's drinking water system. The project will install new water mains, valves, hydrants and a booster station.
• The Town of Hamletwill receive $700,000 to support improvements to the drinking water system. The grant will include new meter pits, meters, water mains, valves, hydrants and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
• Hartford Cityis awarded $700,000 for improvements to the wastewater utility system. The project will include new wastewater mains, manholes and pumps at the wastewater treatment plant.
• The Town of Koutswill receive $700,000 for drinking water system improvements. The overall project will include a new well, water treatment plant and elevated storage tank.
• The Town of Montezumais awarded $700,000 for the construction of a reverse osmosis treatment facility, installation of new pumps and implementation of a conveyance process for the town's water treatment facility.
• Morgantownwill receive $700,000 for new water mains and connection to the Brown County Water Utility system.
• The Town of Perrysvilleis awarded $700,000 for a comprehensive rehabilitation of the town’s major water system components. This includes water storage improvements and water distribution system improvements. The project will provide residents with enhanced water supply and distribution and increase storage and water main capacity for reliable, safe drinking water. Additionally, the project will enhance firefighter water supply options during emergencies.
• The Town of Van Burenis awarded $700,000 for the installation of new water mains, hydrants, valves and other water treatment plant improvements.
• The Town of Vernonwill receive $515,200 for a wastewater improvement project, including the replacement of two lift stations and rehabilitation of two lift stations to address sanitary sewer overflow issues. Additionally, a pollution control barrel will be installed at a fifth lift station to address odor control in the area.

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. 

About OCRA: Under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, who serves as Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov.