08-12-2026 Lt. Governor Beckwith, OCRA announce 19 communities to receive over $14.2 million in Community Development Block Grants

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 12, 2026) - The Office of Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Offic e of Community and Rural Affairs today announced 19 rural communities will receive more than $14.2 million in federal grant funding to expand community facilities and improve drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.

"Federal funding should produce something tangible for the people paying into the system," Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith said. "These awards give local communities the opportunity to turn those dollars into projects that will serve Hoosiers for years to come."

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.

"Through earning this grant funding, these 19 communities demonstrate their commitment to the long-term quality of life of their residents," OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. "Congratulations to the local officials who lead these efforts, I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these projects around our Hoosier cities and towns."

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.

Projects receiving Public Facilities Program grant funding include:

• Clay County is awarded $750,000 to construct a new fire station building for the Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department. The fire station will house the department's entire fleet of fire trucks, increase water pumping and hauling capacity and allow for year-round on-site training.

• The City of Plymouth is awarded $750,000 to restore the structural integrity of the 1875 historic firehouse in its downtown corridor. Renovations include necessary masonry work on the exterior brick façade, roof replacement, bell tower and cupola refurbishment, and replacement of exterior entry doors. These improvements will allow the building to continue to be used as a public space.

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.

Projects receiving Stormwater Improvement Program grant funding include:

• The Town of Colfax is awarded $750,000 to build necessary infrastructure to keep stormwater out of and away from the wastewater system. This will reduce flooding in residential properties.

• The City of Greenfield is awarded $750,000 to replace undersized storm sewer infrastructure in order to reduce flooding and sinkholes in the Fairview and Thayer-Boyd neighborhoods.

• The City of Jasonville is awarded $750,000 to improve the failing stormwater infrastructure in the areas of City Park and Doney Street. This project will include installing storm sewer pipe and ditch clearing to improve water flow during weather events.

• The Town of Roachdale is awarded $750,000 to replace failing clay pipes with new storm sewer pipes along East Maple Street and North Indiana Street. This will eliminate drainage failures and protect public health and private property.

• The City of Scottsburg is awarded $750,000 to replace stormwater infrastructure in the areas of Larry Lane, Lover's Lane and Bird Run. These improvements will decrease drainage and flooding issues.

• The Town of Wolcott is awarded $750,000 to improve stormwater flow and drainage in the Unroe Legal Drain. In partnership with White County, the Town will replace undersized culverts and remove water flow blockages.

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 Lapel is awarded $750,000 to replace aging pipe infrastructure in the wastewater system to reduce street flooding and sewer backups in homes.

• The Town of Winamac is awarded $750,000 to update water infrastructure and improve operational efficiency for residents and town staff.

• The Town of Hartsville is awarded $750,000 to make necessary improvements to the wastewater utility distribution system.

• The Town of Medora is awarded $750,000 to rehabilitate its aging wastewater collection system to reduce sewage backups and drainage failures in homes.

• The Town of Versailles is awarded $750,000 to improve aging water infrastructure by demolishing a 75,000-gallon water tank and replacing water meter pits, services lines and hydrants.

• The Town of Alfordsville is awarded $750,000 to improve the water infrastructure. This includes providing adequate pressure for water distribution and providing a notification system for operators to be signaled when storage tank issues arise.

• The City of Cannelton is awarded $750,000 to improve its water utility system, including water storage tank improvements, rehabilitation of existing water wells and upgrade the water monitoring and control system.

• The City of Clinton is awarded $750,000 to undergo a comprehensive, system-wide rehabilitation of the water utility system. This project will improve water quality and pressure, as well as enhance fire protection by increasing water supply options for firefighters.

• The City of Covington is awarded $750,000 to replace aging water mains and install new valves and hydrants contributing to reliable water delivery for residents.

• The Town of Farmersburg is awarded $750,000 to rehabilitate components of the wastewater system. This includes treatment facility and collection system improvements to reduce sewage overflows onto residential properties.

• The Town of Princes Lakes is awarded $750,000 to update the water distribution system to ensure continuous water supply and improve water quality, pressure and flow of the system.

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.