Today, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs recognized more than 70 rural Indiana communities who collaboratively shaped and executed their vision for their communities in 2018.
“By working together, these communities provided unique and impressive changes to their local parks, walkways, main streets and economic developments,” Crouch said. “In partnership with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, local leaders were able to utilize state funding to incorporate the plans to further their community development.”
Crouch said more than $41 million was provided by local communities and was combined with $22 million from OCRA. These funds were used to complete quality of place improvements like water system enhancements, new public facilities, revitalizing main streets, restoring historic buildings and enhancing downtowns.
“Today is a great day to celebrate all the successes, collaborative efforts and planning our Hoosier communities have achieved this past year,” said Jodi Golden, OCRA executive director. “Our office was fortunate to help make our rural cities, towns and counties better places to live, work and play. I’m excited to see how the communities will continue to grow this funding.”
The 2018 awards ceremony marks OCRA’s 13th anniversary and state legislators, mayors, local elected officials, grant administrators, community development organizations, community partners and businesses were present at the celebration.
