HEALTH DEPARTMENT UPDATES STATEWIDE COVID-19 CASE COUNTS

09/04/2020

INDIANAPOLIS â€”Â The Indiana Department of Health today announced that 1,044 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at the state laboratory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 97,884 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous dayâ€™s dashboard.

A total of 3,127 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19, an increase of 17 from the previous day. Another 223 probable deaths have been reported based on clinical diagnoses in patients for whom no positive test is on record. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by the state and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 1,117,427 tests for unique individuals have been reported to the state, up from 1,103,038 on Thursday.

Shooting at Circle K

09/04/2020

Â On September 4, 2020, at approximately 2:15 a.m., the Evansville Police Department was called to Circle K, 960 S. Weinbach, for a â€œFight in Progressâ€ between two males. Both subjects were gone when officers arrived at the scene. While speaking to witnesses, one of the officers heard three gunshots to the south of his location. He responded to that area and found a victim, from the earlier fight, sitting in a white sedan parked in the middle of the street in the 1100 block of S. Lincoln Park Dr. with three gunshot wounds (to the chest, side, and hand).Â

Officers quickly rendered medical aid to the victim and applied a â€œchest sealâ€ over the hole in his chest. The victim was then transported to St. Vincentâ€™s with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. At this time, the suspect is still on the run and the investigation is on-going.Â

Â Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call the Evansville Police Departmentâ€™s Detective Office at 812-436-7997 or the WeTip Line at 1-800-78-Crime.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY RECENT BOOKING RECENT

09/04/2020

https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

CDC Asks States To Prepare oT Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine By November

09/04/2020

By Erica IrishÂ
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS â€” The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has directed states to be ready to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the public as early as November.

The directive came from a letter issued by the CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield to all 50 states as well as five major cities in late August, published on the same day President Donald Trump said a vaccine would be ready by the end of 2020 in his speech at the Republican National Convention. The letter urges states to be ready to share one of two potential vaccines with high-risk members of the public this fall, such as those working in healthcare and the elderly.

Some are criticizing the letter as a move by the Trump administration to politicize the creation of the vaccine and rush it to the public ahead of Election Day at the expense of needed clinical trials and approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

The Indiana State Department of Health confirmed it has received the CDCâ€™s letter and is awaiting more information to guide the release of a vaccine when it becomes available.

In Indiana, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine are now leadingÂ clinical trials to test a potential vaccine.Â Researchers plan to work with up to 1,500 volunteers to trial the vaccine, formally known as AZD1222. An estimated 30,000 volunteers will take part in the clinical trials nationwide.

The vaccine to be tested was first developed by Oxford University in January as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. It was licensed to a pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, in April.

The IU study is the only of its kind in the state to participate in Phase III clinical trials of the vaccine. Thatâ€™s the final phase required before the FDA is able to approve the vaccine for widespread use.

The school isÂ seeking volunteersÂ for the clinical trials. Participants must be at least 18 years old with no history of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

State health officialsÂ reported an additional 1,110 COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 96,854 cases. Health officials also confirmed another four deaths related to COVID-19. The total suspected to have died from the virus now stands at 3,110.

The state also unveiled a new dashboard Thursday with that shows analysis of county-level infections. This data is presented in a color-coded map and is designed to offer specific recommendations to local schools reopening during the pandemic.

Erica Irish is the 2020 Russell Pulliam editor for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.Â

Indiana Education Officials Change School Funding Rules For Virtual Learning In The Pandemic

09/04/2020

SExercising special power granted during the pandemic, Indiana education officials rewrote school funding rules Wednesday to prevent cuts for virtual learning due to the coronavirus.

The State Board of Education created a new rule to address funding for students who would normally be in classrooms but are learning online because of the pandemic â€” including students in hybrid or all-virtual options, and those at schools that havenâ€™t reopened for in-person instruction. The state will fully fund those students this fall, as though they were attending in-person.

The change aims to keep school funding steady through the pandemic and comes in response to a recent warning that schools could receive reduced state support if they donâ€™t return to in-person learning.

Without the new rule, schools would see their per-student funding drop to 85% for online students â€” a loss that would equate, for example, to $28 million for Indianapolis Public Schools, which is staying all-virtual for at least two months.

The board unanimously approved the change, which only applies to the fall and leaves the virtual funding issue up in the air for the spring. Board member Pete Miller stressed that while they were creating an exception, he still believes students learn best in person.

â€œIn effect, weâ€™re doing a workaround to an existing statute â€” this incentivizes the virtual instruction,â€ Miller said. â€œMy hope is that schools will continue to seek to provide in-person instruction wherever itâ€™s possible. And obviously I say that fully aware of all the challenges with all of that.â€

The state boardâ€™s move does not apply to students who were already enrolled in online programs before the pandemic, or to students who transferred to virtual charter schools.

But it would protect full funding for new students who switched from in-person learning last spring to district-run online schools this fall, such as at Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.â€™s Virtual Academy, which has seen enrollment skyrocket to roughly 20 times its previous size.

State board members took a different tactic for addressing the issue than what Gov. Eric Holcomb called upon them to do last month. Holcomb had suggested delaying the September student count day used to determine funding in the fall, to buy time for lawmakers to act or for the virus to subside enough to allow students to return to classrooms.

But Holcombâ€™s proposal left much uncertainty and raised some logistical issues. Under that plan, schools could have still seen retroactive cuts if lawmakers failed to act. Districts and teachers unions would have had to bargain contracts in the fall without knowing how much school funding would come in that year. Teacher bonuses could have been delayed, since the funding pot is divided among districts based on enrollment. And schools that had significantly underestimated fall enrollment would have had to wait months for their funding to be corrected.

The state boardâ€™s action avoids some of those complications and ensures full funding for the fall. But Denny Costerison, executive director of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials, stressed that it doesnâ€™t solve everything, and lawmakers still need to address the question of virtual funding in the spring.

â€œIt gets us hopefully a step closer to the final solution of this,â€ Costerison said. â€œWeâ€™ve gone around the barn here on it â€” how are we going to count these students that are virtual because of COVID, not because of any other choice but that?â€

IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said in a statement Wednesday that she appreciated the move to protect â€œthe funding we so desperately need this fall.â€

â€œTheir vote will allow us to continue to make the critical safety decisions necessary in the best interest of our students and staff whether remotely or in-person,â€ Johnson said. â€œHowever, the need for a permanent solution still exists and we look forward to continuing this discussion with our legislators.â€

During Wednesdayâ€™s short meeting, State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick asked for an explanation why the state board was not addressing funding for the spring. The agency has limited authority to take this kind of action during a public health emergency, state board attorney Chad Ranney said, and itâ€™s not clear what the effects of the pandemic will look like next year.

â€œIf there were a vaccine tomorrow, then students would be able to return in person in a safe environment,â€ Ranney said. â€œWe want to be able to check the conditions on the ground, before we make a decision, before we have to.â€

Judge Voids West Lafayetteâ€™s Mask Mandate, Rules

09/04/2020

Judge Voids West Lafayetteâ€™s Mask Mandate, Rules Mayor Didnâ€™t Have Power To Issue Order That Carried $100 Fine

Dave Bangert

Lafayette Journal & Courier

WEST LAFAYETTE â€“ West Lafayetteâ€™s mandatory mask ordinance was voided Tuesday morning, when a Tippecanoe County judge ruled West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis did not have the authority to use a July 13 executive order to implement it on his own.

In a ruling issued Tuesday, Tippecanoe Circuit Judge Sean Persin said Dennisâ€™s use of the cityâ€™s nuisance ordinances to issue a mask policy â€“ one that carried a $100 fine for first offenses â€“ went beyond what state law allowed mayors to do.

â€œIt is a stretch to suggest that … the Indiana Legislature intended to authorize mayors to take any action they deem fit, at any time during a public health emergency, including closing schools or churches, forbidding gatherings, or levying civil penalties for violating a mask mandate without council approval,â€ Persin wrote, ruling on a rural West Lafayette manâ€™s challenge of Dennisâ€™ executive order.

â€œIf the court accepted this interpretation, the mayor would appear to have unlimited authority to unilaterally sanction anything he deems unhealthy without any input,â€ Persin wrote.

Persin noted that the ruling still left the city covered by a statewide mask order â€“ one Gov. Eric Holcomb issued but that carried no civil or criminal penalty. And, he wrote: â€œTo be clear, nothing in this order shall prevent the West Lafayette City Council from exercising their authority to address these matters.â€

Michael Bryant, a Tippecanoe County resident, filed a lawsuit July 22, claiming he wasnâ€™t looking â€œto reach a conclusion on the effectiveness of mask-wearing.â€ His claim did question whether mask orders will play a role in curbing the spread of coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Dennis defended his action.

â€œThe decision to issue the order was sound,â€ Dennis said. â€œAnd I believe that it served its purpose. At the time, when I issued the order, the concept of wearing masks was still new and somewhat novel. Having the strength of enforceable legislation on our side encouraged compliance at a time when many were reluctant to wear masks.â€

Dennis said he was prepared to take the matter to the city council, â€œand if they approve, keep it active.â€

Peter Bunder, West Lafayette City Council president, said he believed the council was prepared to back Dennis and had essentially said that during a city council meeting in early August.

â€œIâ€™m sure weâ€™d do that in a heartbeat,â€ Bunder said. â€œNone of us minded that John did what he did. If we need to, weâ€™ll step up.â€

Bryant was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

Bryantâ€™s attorney, Kokomo-based Arie Lipinski, said nothing was stopping the city council from doing what Dennis tried to do, â€œbut at least the people of West Lafayette will have the opportunity to express their concerns at the meeting.â€

â€œI canâ€™t imagine why the city council members would want a mask mandate that is enforceable by the punishment of fine so badly that they exercise their law-making authority to accomplish that goal,” Lipinski said. “But apparently the COVID-19 pandemic presented the perfect opportunity for government entities/officials to abuse their power to impose restrictions on citizens under the threat of punishment.

â€œThis may seem like a petty lawsuit, but the lack of push back over state and local executives who have exceeded their authority and usurped power that is inherent in the citizens â€“ by imposing restrictions via executive order under the guise of protecting public health â€“ is concerning.â€

During a hearing Aug. 25, Persin said he wasnâ€™t interested in arguing about whether masks worked or didnâ€™t work in curbing the spread of COVID-19. Dennis said that was his intent when he issued the July 13 executive order for people to wear face coverings when in spaces where social distancing wasnâ€™t possible.

Instead, Persin told the cityâ€™s attorneys and Bryant that he was only interested in whether state law and city code made the rare executive order legitimate.

Bryant claimed that there â€œare less restrictive and potentially more rational means of slowing the spread” of COVID-19 and that those steps if taken by West Lafayette, should come with the backing of a majority vote on the nine-member city council.

The city defended the order, saying Dennis was well within his powers to base his executive order on the cityâ€™s nuisance ordinance to protect residents in what attorney Zach Williams called â€œan unprecedented time.â€

Last week, Gov. Eric Holcomb extended that stateâ€™s mask order through September. That order does not come with fines or other penalties.

Dennis has said he issued the order, in part, to mesh the city with similar rules instituted this summer on Purdueâ€™s West Lafayette campus. The order came with fines already in city code: $100 for the first violation and $250 for the next one.

Dennis said when he issued the mask mandate that racking up fines wasnâ€™t the goal. A message rooted in emerging science about how masks limited the spread of exhaled, airborne droplets carrying the virus and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended safe practices during the pandemic was.

The city has not issued a mask-related citation.

West Lafayetteâ€™s defense leaned heavily a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, a 1905 case based on a pastorâ€™s refusal to comply with vaccinations required during a smallpox outbreak, based on his religious convictions. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that individual rights, in the case of a public health emergency, had to stand aside for the common good.

The ruling has been a popular one in 2020, as communities defend challenges of health orders tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. During an Aug. 25 hearing, Persin told the city he didnâ€™t consider Jacobson v. Massachusetts to be a rubber stamp for government mandates during the pandemic.

City attorneys responded with a follow-up filing late last week about the mayorâ€™s use of city nuisance ordinances, rather than waiting for the city council to act.

â€œThe mayorâ€™s order is not an overreach, it is his duty under law,â€ Williams wrote. â€œThe dead donâ€™t have a say in whether this minor inconvenience is worth the potential of saving even one of our friends, neighbors, students or family members.â€

Persin on Aug. 25 dismissed four of Bryantâ€™s five counts against the city. Among them were Bryantâ€™s claims that wearing a mask limited his freedom of speech; that it made it impossible for him to effectively protest the mandate; gave police additional reasons to stop residents for illegal searches; and set up those who declined to wear masks for unfair political backlash he claimed came from being labeled as President Donald â€œTrump supporters.â€

The city argued that the First Amendment challenges regarding freedom of speech and the right to protest fell flat, saying that Bryant was free to stand in front of city hall if he wanted â€“ even without a mask if he could keep a six-foot distance from others â€“ and protest the order. And if the social distance was an issue, he could speak louder through the mask, Williams said.

That left what Persin said was the crucial matter, as outlined in Bryantâ€™s lawsuit: â€œOne manâ€™s opinion should not dictate whether a mask-wearing mandate is rationally related to the goal of preventing the spread.â€

Persin decided it shouldnâ€™t in this case. Persin said state code gave health departments latitude to issue mask orders and other restrictions to address community illnesses, such as COVID-19.

â€œThe Indiana Legislature has not given this same authority to mayors,â€ Persin wrote.

Persin said the cityâ€™s nuisance ordinance â€œprimarily addresses buildings.â€

â€œIf the West Lafayette City Council elects to authorize the mayor to take certain action to stop disease, they must articulate clear intent,â€ Persin wrote.

After last weekâ€™s hearing, Nick DeBoer, a West Lafayette City Council member, called the legal challenge â€œall a bit of Kabuki theater,â€ saying the council was ready to act as soon as its Sept. 8Â meeting.

â€œI thought the mayorâ€™s authority under existing law was explicit,â€ DeBoer said. â€œNo reason to add more laws to the books if you already have one that covers it. But if the judge disagrees, weâ€™ll do it then.â€

Roger Stark was at the Aug. 25 hearing in Tippecanoe Circuit Court, prepared to testify in support of Bryantâ€™s case. Stark â€“ a West Lafayette resident who also authored a petition protesting Tippecanoe County Health Department restrictions on restaurants and bars â€“ was never called, as the judge focused on questions of the mayorâ€™s authority rather than opinions about civil rights or health benefits of masks.

â€œToday was a win for keeping our mayor’s authority in check,â€ Stark said. â€œIf this is taken to the city council, I’m prepared to debate the science of face coverings.â€

Gov. Holcomb Announces More Than $51 Million For Broadband Expansion

09/04/2020

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced $51 million for 50 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across the state as a part of the second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program.

The $100 million Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single state investment in broadband. In total, rounds one and two of the program have awarded more than $79 million for broadband infrastructure for more than 21,900 homes and commercial locations in 41 counties.

â€œLt. Governor Crouch and I have been dedicated to improving internet access for years, and now COVID has only made the need for affordable, dependable broadband more apparent,â€ Gov. Holcomb said. â€œThis latest round of grants will give more Hoosiers access to more affordable, quality internet regardless of where they live, work or go to school.â€

This second round of funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 10,590 homes and commercial locations across 32 counties. A map marking both rounds one and two is attached to this press release.

In addition to the $51 million awarded today, the 16 telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives contributed more than $53 million in matching funds, resulting in more than $104 million total investment for broadband.

The program allows broadband service providers and utility cooperatives to apply for up to $5 million to expand service to unserved areas if they provide at least a 20 percent match. Unserved areas are those without at least one telecommunication provider offering at least 10 mbps download and 1 mbps upload. Proposed projects must provide a minimum level of service at actual speeds of 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload.

At Governor Holcombâ€™s request, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, administers and oversees the program.

â€œIn a time where Hoosiers are having to adjust their lifestyles due to COVID-19, itâ€™s imperative that we connect as many Hoosiers as possible,â€ said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. â€œGovernor Holcombâ€™s Next Level Connections initiative is a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and bringing greater opportunities for all Hoosiers.â€

Last year during round one, 14 projects were awarded more than $28 million. With more than $23 million in local match, a total of more than $51 million was invested in broadband expansion. Information regarding a third round will be released in the future. For more information, visithttps://www.in.gov/ocra/3018.htm.

Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program is part of Governor Holcomb’s $1 billion Next Level Connections infrastructure program, which accelerates the completion of major highway projects, expands access to rural broadband services, creates more nonstop flights and pursues the expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.

The following applicants will provide broadband service in unserved areas throughout Indiana in the second round:

Central Indiana Communications

Henry County
In partnership with Henry County Rural Electric Membership Corporation, this project will serve 70 unserved households and 10 businesses. The requested grant amount is $361,711, with a local match of more than $194,767, for a total project cost of $556,478.

Comcast

Montgomery County
This project will serve 210 unserved homes in the Town of Darlington in Montgomery County. The requested grant amount is $673,155, with a local match of $174,171, for a total project cost of $847,326.

Eastern Indiana WIFI

Grant County
This project will serve 12 households and one anchor institution in eastern Grant County. The requested grant amount is $31,983, with a local match of $8,502 for a total project cost of $40,485.

Eastern Indiana WIFI

Grant County
This project will serve 103 households and 28 businesses in Monroe and Jefferson Townships in Grant County. The requested grant amount is $251,756, with a local match of $66,922, for a total project cost of $318,678.

Endeavor Communications

Hendricks County

This project will serve roughly 138 unserved locations near the town of Danville in Hendricks County. The requested grant amount is $851,085, with a local match of $438,438, for a total project cost of more than $1.28 million.

Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation

Jennings County

This project will serve 163 locations in three Jennings County Townships: North Vernon, Seymour, and Scipio. The requested grant amount is $239,309, with a local match of $358,964, for a total project cost of $598,273.

Jackson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation

Jennings County

This project will serve 118 locations in North Vernon Township in Jennings County. The requested grant amount is $192,273, with a local match of $288,407, for a total project cost of $480,680.

Parke County
This project will serve approximately 73 unserved households and businesses in Parke County. The requested grant amount is $351,002, with a local match of $87,750, for a total project cost of $438,752.

Parke County
This project will serve approximately 26 households in Parke County. The requested grant amount is $284,172, with a local match of $71,043, for a total project cost of $355,215.

Parke County
This project will connect approximately 18 unserved households in Washington Township in Parke County. The requested grant amount is $298,081, with a local match of $74,520, for a total project cost of $372,601.

Vermillion County
This project will serve 22 households and one business in South East Cayuga in Vermillion County. The requested grant amount is $252,979, with a local match of $63,245, for a total project cost of $316,224

Vigo County
This project will serve three households around West Concannon Avenue in Vigo County. The requested grant amount is $135,155, with a local match of $33,789, for a total project cost of $168,944.

Vigo County
This project will serve 36 unserved households around French Lake, on the southside of Vigo County. The requested grant amount is $338,642, with a local match of $84,660, for a total project cost of $423,302.

Vigo County

This project will serve 18 unserved households and businesses in Blackhawk, which is on the south side of Vigo County. The requested grant amount is $263,402, with a local match of $65,851, for a total project cost of $329,253.

Johnson County Rural Electric Membership Corporation
Morgan County
This project will connect 37 households and three businesses in eastern Morgan County. The requested grant amount is $68,193, with a local match of $108,932, for a total project cost of $177,125.

Lakeland Internet
Steuben County
This project will serve 40 households in Pine Canyon Lake. The requested grant amount is $30,830, with a local match of $34,874, for a total project cost of $65,704.

Orange County Rural Electric Membership Corporation
Lawrence, Orange, and Washington Counties
This project will serve 84 households, 13 farms and two businesses in Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties. The requested grant amount is $809,441, with a local match of more than $1.07 million, for a total project cost of more than $1.88 million.

Orange County Rural Electric Membership Corporation
Lawrence and Orange Counties

This project will serve 123 households, 18 farms and three businesses across two counties. The requested grant amount is $702,967, with a local match of more than $1.64 million, for a total project cost of more than $2.34 million.

Orange County Rural Electric Membership Corporation

Orange and Dubois Counties

This project will connect seven households, six businesses and two anchor institutions in portions of Orange and Dubois Counties. The requested grant amount is $680,993, with a local match of $417,382, for a total project cost of more than $1.09 million.

New Lisbon Broadband and Communications

Henry County

This project will serve six unserved residences in the south-central Henry County. The requested grant amount is $10,649, with a local match of $16,657, for a total project cost of $27,306.

Mainstream Fiber Networks

Crawford County

This project will connect roughly 1,041 unserved households, 128 businesses and 25 anchor institutions in Crawford County. The requested grant amount is more than $3.06 million, with a local match of more than $2.71 million, for a total project cost of more than $5.77 million.

Mainstream Fiber Networks

Posey County

This project will serve roughly 678 unserved households, 32 businesses and eight anchor institutions in Posey County. The requested grant amount is more than $3.31 million, with a local match of more than $2.94 million, for a total project cost of more than $6.25 million.

Mercury Wireless

Allen, Dekalb, and Whitley Counties
This project will connect 130 households and five businesses in portions of Allen, DeKalb and Whitley Counties. The requested grant amount is $110,040, with a local match of $348,460, for a total project cost of $458,500.

Perry-Spencer Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Dubois County

This project will serve 679 unserved locations in Dubois County. The requested grant amount is $5 million, with a local match of more than $2.81 million, for a total project cost of more than $7.81 million.

South Central Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation
Brown, Monroe, and Owen Counties
This project will serve 420 households and four businesses in Brown, Monroe and Owen Counties. The requested grant amount is more than $1.89 million, with a local match of more than $1.89 million, for a total project cost of more than $3.78 million.

Â South Central Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation
Owen County
This project will connect 217 unserved locations in Freedom, an unincorporated community, located southwest of the City of Spencer. The requested grant amount is $866,580, with a local match of $446,420, for a total project cost of more than $1.31 million.

SEI Communications

Dearborn County

This project will serve five households, one business and three anchor institutions in Dearborn County. The requested grant amount is $439,560, with a local match of $226,440, for a total project cost of $666,000.

Â SEI Communication

Dearborn, Franklin, and Ripley Counties

In partnership with Southeastern Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation, this project will serve 447 households, 58 businesses, and 55 anchor institutions in Ripley, Franklin and Dearborn Counties. The requested grant amount is more than $3.21 million, with a local match of more than $4.83 million, for a total project cost of more than $8.04 million.

Â SEI Communications

Dearborn, Jefferson, Jennings, and Ripley Counties

In partnership with Southeastern Indiana REMC, this project will provide service to 2,263 households, 199 business and 24 anchor institutions in Ripley, Jennings, and a small portion of Jefferson Counties. The requested grant amount is $5 million, with a local match of more than $8.4 million, for a total project cost of more than $13.4 million.

SEI Communications

Dearborn, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, and Switzerland Counties

In partnership with Southeastern Indiana REMC, this project will serve 522 households, 27 businesses and eight anchor institutions in Switzerland, Jennings, and small portions of Jefferson, Ohio, and Dearborn Counties. The requested grant amount is more than $4.34 million, with a local match of more than $6.51 million, for a total project cost of more than $10.85 million.

Â Tipmont Rural Electric Membership Corporation

Clinton and Tippecanoe Counties

This project will serve 150 unserved households, 12 farms/businesses and one anchor institution in Clinton and Tippecanoe Counties. The requested grant amount is $814,985, with a local match of $814,985, for a total project cost of more than $1.62 million.