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

The following programs are currently accepting applications:

• Public Facilities Program (including historic preservation)
• Blight Clearance Program
• Stormwater Improvements
• Wastewater/Drinking Water

Proposals for CDBG Round 2 are due on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. Communities are encouraged to submit their proposals prior to 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 21, 2022, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

The deadline for full applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 22, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 22, 2022, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

All proposal and application submissions must be submitted through the Electronic Grants Management System. Instructions for eGMS can be found at in.gov/ocra/cdbg.

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.

For further information on CDBG programs, contact the assigned OCRA regional Community Liaison.

• CDBG 2022 Round 2 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.

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The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced the Community Development Block Grant's Planning Grant quarter four round and the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Pilot Program second round are now open for applications.

The Planning Grant program strives to encourage communities to plan for long-term community development with the aid of subject matter experts and community input.

Planning Grant applications for quarter four will be accepted until Oct. 14, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 14, 2022, as technical assistance will not be available after that time. Applications must be submitted through the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System.

The following plan types will be open as part of the fourth quarter round:

• COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
• Comprehensive Plan
• Water Infrastructure Plan
• Broadband Readiness Plan
• Economic Development Plan
• Environmental Assessment
• Public Facilities Feasibility Study
• Historic Preservation Plan

As a reminder, the new Qualifications Based Selection Planning Grant Procurement Policy is in effect as of Aug. 15, 2022. In accordance with the policy, procurement of professional services for the planning study must be completed prior to the submission of the planning grant application in eGMS for quarter four of 2022.

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 to receive technical assistance on the planning process. A map of community liaison districts can be found here.

The next round of planning grants is expected to continue quarterly until funds have been exhausted.

The Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) pilot program aims to empower Indiana communities to directly fund homeowners of low-moderate income to make needed repairs on their homes. This second round is a continuation of the original OOR pilot launched in 2021.

OOR applications must be submitted by Oct. 28, 2022 through the Indiana Electronic Grants Management System. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications prior to 4 p.m. ET on Oct 28, 2022, as technical assistance will not be available after that time.

Funding for all OOR programs comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is administered by OCRA. The state of Indiana distributes OOR funds to rural areas to encourage communities to create a program by which low-moderate income residents can apply for funds to repair their primary residences.

For further information on this program, contact the assigned OCRA regional Community Liaison or visit OCRA’s Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Pilot Program page.