Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced that an additional 42 rural Hoosier communities will receive more than $10.09 million in federal grant funding through the COVID-19 Response Program.

On April 30, Lt. Governor Crouch announced 61 COVID-19 Response Phase 1 recipients, who received more than $10.7 million in funding. Kosciusko, Starke, Miami and Marshall counties and the City of Wabash were among the recipients in that round.

Eligible applicants for this program could apply for up to $250,000 and include non-entitlement local units of government. The two eligible economic recovery activities included grants or loans to businesses to retain Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) jobs.

Funding for the COVID-19 Response Phase 2 funding is derived from Indiana’s CARES Act allocation.

Among those receiving grants in this round to businesses to retain jobs:

Marshall County is awarded $250,000 to create the Marshall County Crossroads Loan Program. This county-wide micro-loan program would be used to provide funds to businesses or for employees of businesses that fit into the size standard of less than $1 million in gross annual sales and less than 20 LMI employees.

Pulaski County is awarded $250,000 and will provide grants, not to exceed $10,000, to assist small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Wabash County is awarded $160,000 and will issue grants to businesses ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, based on retained employee counts. Specifically, the funds will be used for costs incurred or ongoing operating expenses to help to retain LMI jobs.

The Town of North Judson is awarded $250,000 and will start a revolving loan program to help businesses retain jobs and keep their businesses open.