Two communities in District 7 have been awarded more than $1 million to improve wastewater and drinking water programs, said State Sen. Brian Buchanan (R-Lebanon).
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and theIndiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) recently announced 24 rural communities across the state will receive $15.3 million in federal grant funding to improve water infrastructure.
The City of Delphi received $596,233, which will be used for water and sewer improvements. This project will reconnect 56 services, replace various lengths of two-inch galvanized piping and add eight new hydrants to six different service areas.
The City of Monticello received $600,000, which will also be used for water and sewer improvements. This project will upgrade 4,000 lineal feet of four-inch and six-inch water mains, replace seven fire hydrants, and add eight new six-inch water valves.
“This is great news for Delphi and Monticello,” Buchanan said. “Keeping our wastewater and drinking water infrastructure up to date is critical for the health and well-being in our community. I applaud local leaders’ efforts to secure these grants and look forward to seeing the completion of these projects and the positive impact they will have on our district.”
These grants were provided through the state’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which distributes federal funds to rural communities to assist with community projects. The wastewater and drinking water program aims to protect the environment, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth.
The second round of the 2020 CDBG program begins on Aug. 24, with proposals due on Sept. 24 and final applications due Nov. 20. For further information on the program, visit www.in.gov/ocra/3010.htm.