Two rural communities in Northwest Indiana are among 19 across the state to receive a share of more than $10.8 million in federal grants to help cover costs of community improvement projects.
The city of Knox in Starke County and the town of Medaryville in Pulaski County each were awarded $600,000 for drinking water system improvements.
The funds were awarded through the Wastewater Drinking Water Program, which has a goal of protecting the health and environment, reducing utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth. The program is one of five Community Development Block Grant programs that originates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program.
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers and distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects including improving infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public facilities improvements and economic development.
Other communities receiving funds through wastewater system improvements include:
- City of Austin, $550,000; wastewater system improvements.
- Town of Clay City, $700,000; wastewater system improvements.
- City of Columbia City; $700,000 for wastewater system improvements.
- Fayette County; $550,000; drinking water system improvements.
- Town of Glenwood; $600,000; drinking water system improvements.
- Town of Lizton, $700,000; drinking water system improvements.
- Town of Saint Paul, $600,000; wastewater system improvements.
- Town of Williamsport, $700,000; wastewater system improvements.
Communities receiving funds through The Main Street Revitalization Program include:
- City of Brazil, $461,491; downtown façade improvements.
- City of Rochester, $600,000; downtown façade improvements.
- City of Seymour, $590,000; streetscape project.
Communities receiving funds through the Public Facilities Program include:
- Decatur County, $441,509; renovate a building to be a Children’s Advocacy Center.
- Town of Holton, $500,000; construction of a new 6,400-square-foot fire station with four truck bays.
- City of Lawrenceburg, $279,760; community center improvements.
- Town of Otterbein, $500,000; construct a 5,209-square-foot community center.
- Scott County, $500,000; renovate a building into a medical facility.
The City of Montpelier was awarded $600,000 for stormwater system improvements through the Stormwater Improvement Program.
