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Rural communities have many pressing needs that require outside financial assistance. Through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the State of Indiana requests federal funds annually to help with a variety of projects including water infrastructure, public facilities, blight clearance, Mainstreet revitalization and many others. These funds help communities to improve quality of life and to ensure the health and safety of their residents. In turn, this enhances their ability to create places where citizens can grow, thrive and prosper.

During these unprecedented times, OCRA will continue with the suspension of multiple programs in response to COVID-19. This decision reflects the priority of maintaining flexibility to respond to the impact of the pandemic on rural communities. OCRA will continue to evaluate the pandemic’s impact and the corresponding priorities of rural communities to determine the feasibility of reinstating suspended programs. Be sure to visit OCRA'S calendar for all 2022 dates.

Recent News

The first round of Community Development Block Grants for 2022 is now open for applications.

The following programs are currently accepting applications:

• Public Facilities Program (for all activities except historic preservation);
• Blight Clearance Program;
• Stormwater Improvements; and
• Wastewater/Drinking Water.

No changes to the Construction Grant program are anticipated for the 2022 Round 1, as OCRA continues to collect and evaluate stakeholder feedback on the program. All existing policies and requirements will remain in effect unless otherwise notified by OCRA.

2022 Round 1 proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 29, 2022 via the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System. However, OCRA encourages communities to submit proposals before 4:00 p.m. ET as there will be no technical support available after that time.

2022 Round 1 applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, July 1, 2022 via the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on July 1, 2022, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

For further information on these programs, contact the assigned OCRA regional community liaison.

Funding for all CDBG programs comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered by OCRA. The state of Indiana distributes CDBG funds to rural communities to assist units of local government with various community projects like: improving infrastructure, downtown revitalization, public facilities improvements and economic development.

• CDBG 2022 Round 1 Application Instructions
• Duplication of Benefits Disclosure  
• Duplication of Benefits Disclosure clarification video
• Detailed budget template
• Legal section
• Signature page
• Access the portal here: https://indianaegms.force.com/Grants.

Applications are now open for the Community Development Block Grant's Planning Grant program.

The following plan types will be open for the second quarter round:

• COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan;
• Comprehensive Plan;
• Water Infrastructure Plan;
• Broadband Readiness Plan;
• Economic Development Plan;
• Environmental Assessment; and
• Public Facilities Feasibility Study.

No changes to the Planning Grant program are anticipated for the 2022 Quarter 2 round as OCRA continues to collect and evaluate stakeholder feedback on the program. All existing policies and requirements will remain in effect unless otherwise notified by OCRA.

While a formal site visit is not required for this program, applicants must contact their OCRA Community Liaison to notify the office of their intention to submit an application and also to receive technical assistance on the planning process. Information on community liaisons and their districts can be found here.

Future Planning Grant rounds are expected to continue quarterly until funds have been exhausted.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on April 14, 2022, via the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4:00 p.m. ET on April 14, 2022, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

Visit in.gov/ocra/cdbg/planning-grants/ to learn more.

• Planning Grant 2022 Second Quarter Application Instructions