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.
Shelby County is awarded $250,000 to award grants for up to $10,000 to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees located within Shelby County that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
Decatur County is awarded $250,000 to grant between $5,000 and $10,000 to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees located in Greensburg, Millhousen, New Point, St. Paul, Westport and unincorporated Decatur County.
The City of Rushville is awarded $250,000to provide $10,000 grants to any eligible business located within the city with less than 100 employees that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
