INDIANAPOLIS (March 2, 2026) – The Office of Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced 15 rural communities will receive more than $10.2 million in federal grant funding to expand community facilities, improve water infrastructure and eliminate blight.

“This funding empowers local leaders to address long-standing infrastructure needs and create safer, more vibrant places for families and businesses,” Lt. Governor Beckwith said. “This reflects Indiana's ongoing commitment to strengthening the foundation of our rural communities and ensuring all Hoosiers have the resources they need to thrive.”

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 successfully earning this grant funding," OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. "There is a clear commitment from local leaders to improve the quality of life for their residents."

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 the Blight Clearance Program are deteriorated or abandoned downtown buildings or vacant and unusable industrial sites.

One project is receiving Blight Clearance Program grant funding:

• The City of Mitchell is awarded $500,000 to demolish an unsafe structure on Main Street. Upon completion, the location will be transformed into a public green space. 

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 and ideas, culture, and enjoyment.

One project is receiving Public Facilities Program grant funding:

• Henry County is awarded $750,000 to complete the interior of the 4-H Center located in Memorial Park. Upon completion, the building will house office space, classrooms, a full-service kitchen, banquet hall and Purdue Extension Office.

The Stormwater Improvement Program strives to reduce flooding, cut stormwater treatment and energy costs, and protect rivers, lakes and vital landscapes. Types of activities eligible for this grant funding include stormwater improvements, as well as demolition and clearance.

One project is receiving Stormwater Improvement Program grant funding:

• The Town of Coatesville is awarded $500,000 to address widespread flooding in the town. Activities include creating a rain garden, installing manholes and a storm sewer pipe. 

The goals of the Wastewater/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/Drinking Water Program grant funding include:

• The Town of Akron is awarded $750,000 to complete a wastewater utility improvement project that includes a pump replacement, back-up power for two lift stations and rehabilitating the lagoon system.

• The City of Connersville is awarded $750,000 to make necessary upgrades to its water utility system, including improvements to water mains, hydrants and valves.

• The City of Crawfordsville is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to the wastewater system, including upgrades to the digesters at the wastewater treatment plant. 

• The Town of Fairview Park is awarded $750,000 to rehabilitate components of the water utility system, including upgrading the water storage capacity, wellfields and the distribution system.

• The Town of Grandview is awarded $750,000 to complete improvements to the wastewater utility system, including stabilizing the lagoon dams and renovating components of the lagoon system.

• Jefferson County is awarded $750,000 to make improvements to the water infrastructure in the Telegraph Hill-Ryker's Ridge Sewer District, including grinder pump stations upgrades, collection system improvements and lift station rehabilitation.

• Kosciusko County is awarded $560,000 to make necessary improvements to the water utility operated by the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District, including drilling a new raw water supply well, improving the water treatment plant and installing water meters in the Enchanted Hills subdivision.

• The Town of Reynolds is awarded $750,000 to make critical upgrades to the town's water system, including the addition of a water filter plant, rehabilitating the well and distribution system as well as the interior of the water tower.

• Shelby County is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements in the Waldron Conservancy District, including the rehabilitating tanks, wells and the water treatment plants, as well as replacing water meters and hydrants.

• The Town of Sweetser is awarded $750,000 to address critical deficiencies in the wastewater treatment system, including improving the wastewater treatment plant, lift stations and sanitary collection system.

• The Town of Westport is awarded $451,223  to rehabilitate its only elevated water storage tank.

• The Town of Windfall is awarded $750,000 to increase the capacity of its wastewater treatment facility, make improvements to the comprehensive aeration system and install a sludge holding tank.

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.

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Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith, 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.

*Please note: the Town of Westport's award amount was corrected after the release was orignally published. The award amount originally announced for the Town of Westport was $441,679 but has since been corrected above to show $451,223.