Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced that an additional 80 Hoosier communities will receive more than $18.6 million in federal grant funding through OCRA's COVID-19 Response Grant Program.
“This grant program has already provided support to more than 600,000 Hoosiers across our state,” Crouch said. “This round we expanded the COVID-19 Response Grant Program so we can continue helping Hoosiers, their families and their businesses recover from the pandemic.”
In April of 2020, OCRA began addressing COVID-19 impact on Indiana communities. Last year, 112 grants were awarded to 96 communities, totaling more than $20.9 million.
"Based on additional research and community feedback, OCRA was able to open this round to municipalities of all sizes and expanded eligible activities," said Denny Spinner, Executive Director of OCRA. "With a focus on assisting small businesses, expanding food bank and pantry services, and providing essential mental health services, these grants will impact Hoosiers and communities that are on the road to recovery."
For this round, eligible applicants include non-entitlement and entitlement local units of government could apply for up to $250,000. Eligible activities include mental health services, childcare services, public WiFi locations, food pantry or bank services, subsidence payment programs, or grants or loans to businesses to retain low-to-moderate income (LMI) jobs.
Funding for the COVID-19 Response Phase 3 is derived from Indiana’s CARES Act allocation.
Fulton County is awarded $250,000 to provide grants to businesses and food banks located within the county's jurisdictional boundaries.
Starke County is awarded $250,000 to provide grants for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to assist them in retaining jobs and keeping their businesses open. Starke County will also distribute food boxes to families.
Pulaski County is awarded $250,000 to provide grants up to $10,000 to assist small businesses in the community that have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The City of Knox is awarded $200,000 to manage a grant program for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to assist them in retaining jobs and keeping their businesses open.
The Town of North Judson is awarded $200,000 to start a grant program for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to assist them in retaining jobs and keeping their businesses open.
The Town of Winamac is awarded $153,840 to provide grants to businesses in the community that have been hard-hit by the pandemic.
Miami County is awarded $100,000 to provide grant funds to assist mental health support services to families by providing initial screening and evaluations, one-on-one counseling sessions, support to families for mental health barriers, and resource materials to help clients cope with the challenges they face during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Peru is awarded $100,000 to provide assistance to licensed childcare providers located within the city limits.
