The Town of Colfax has been awarded $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to make critical infrastructure improvements designed to keep stormwater out of and away from the town’s wastewater system.
Julie Lewellen, president of the Colfax Town Board, recently received notification of the award. Gerry White met with Lewellen to personally deliver the good news about the significant grant.
The funding will support necessary stormwater infrastructure improvements that are expected to help reduce flooding on residential properties and improve the overall operation of the town’s wastewater system.
The award is part of more than $14.2 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding being distributed to 19 rural communities across Indiana, announced Aug. 12 by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).
“Federal funding should produce something tangible for the people paying into the system,” Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said. “These awards give local communities the opportunity to turn those dollars into projects that will serve Hoosiers for years to come.”
Investment in Colfax infrastructure
For Colfax, the $750,000 award represents a major investment in addressing stormwater and flooding concerns.
The project will focus on infrastructure intended to prevent stormwater from entering the wastewater system. Keeping excess rainwater out of the wastewater system can help reduce the strain placed on the system during significant rainfall events while also helping address flooding concerns in residential areas.
The improvements are particularly important as communities work to maintain aging infrastructure and prepare for periods of heavy rainfall.
Lewellen expressed appreciation for the grant award and the work that went into securing the funding for the town.
Building for Colfax’s future
The grant provides the Town of Colfax with an opportunity to address stormwater concerns while making improvements that can benefit residents for years to come.
By directing stormwater away from the wastewater system, the project is expected to help protect residential properties from flooding and strengthen the town’s infrastructure.
The funding also reflects the importance of local officials pursuing state and federal resources to address infrastructure needs that can otherwise be difficult for small communities to finance on their own.
The announcement comes as Indiana continues to invest in rural communities through CDBG funding, with projects aimed at improving infrastructure, public facilities and quality of life.
