Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

announced seven Indiana communities will receive $375,320 in Planning Grants through the Community Development Block Grant program.

The communities will use the funds to develop plans for the implementation of community and economic development projects.

The applications being funded this quarter address utilities, economic development, downtown revitalization and comprehensive planning efforts.

Water Infrastructure Grants aid communities in completing a holistic study of potential issues and opportunities across their drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. By completing this planning, communities will be able to make decisions regarding their most urgent water needs while understanding how each system works in context with other utility systems.

Fulton County was awarded a Water Infrastructure Planning Grant for $58,320.

Economic Development Planning Grants help communities assess the current economic conditions and identify strategies to support existing businesses, attract new ones and compliment current technology and work skills initiatives.

One Economic Development Planning Grant is awarded to the Town of Lagro for $40,000.

Downtown Revitalization Planning Grants encourage communities to plan for long-term community development efforts in various forms, such as business creation, increased tourism, historic preservation and other economic revitalization efforts.

One Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant is awarded to the Town of North Manchester for $40,000.