The Town of Colfax is receiving a $600,000 to upgrade its collection systems, which will affect local infrastructure and roads as part of the wastewater project.
Colfax was one of 13 rural Indiana communities receiving a portion of $8 million in federal grant funding that is dedicated to expanding community facilities, remove blight and improve water infrastructure. Colfax has dedicated its portion of $600,000 to upgrading the town’s collection system, which deals with the wastewater project intended to rehabilitate 70 maholes and line sewer mains to extend the life of the infrastructure across the town.
Colfax officials stated that based upon a previous Office of Community and Rural Affairs Planning Grant for a Utility Study, the proposed wastewater project will reduce inflow and infiltration in the wastewater system to help improve the operations of the town.
Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch alongside Indiana OCRA announced the 13 rural communities that will receivie the funds on Thursday. Crouch commented that the grants will benefit the backbone of the Indiana economy and fulfill the needs of rural communities across the state.
“Rural Indiana is the next great economic frontier,” Crouch said. “But to achieve that success, we can’t ignore the needed maintenance of basic, but vital, aspects of community infrastructure. This grant money will enable these 13 Hoosier communities to find economic growth while improving health and safety across the state.”
The State distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to rural communities across the state, and the funds are intended to assist local governments with their community projects. The projects may include infrastructure improvement, downtown revitalization, public facilities and economic development. OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett elaborated on the benefit of the grants distributed across the state, and notably awarded to Colfax.
“Community Development Block Grant projects can be transformational for communities,” Bennett said. “I applaud the leaders from each of these 13 communities for taking advantage of the opportunity to further improve their cities, towns and counties.”
Additionally, the Public Facilities Program helps expand and establish community facilities that enhance the lives of the residents, including fire stations, community facilities, librarier, museums, community centers, performance spaces and more that are utilized to expand the town’s ideas, culture and overall enjoyment.