Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch recently announced more than $10 million in federal grant funding awarded to 19 communities through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Knightstown and New Castle are among the recipients of these Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
“We are excited to support Hoosier communities through our CDBG grants,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “These investments will support long-term economic growth and community development throughout rural Indiana.”
The Town of Knightstown will receive $500,000 to rehabilitate the Hoosier Gym, a basketball gym, museum and community center famous for being the central location for the movie Hoosiers. Through this project, the gym will receive a new roof, new windows, and the completion of tuck pointing of the deteriorating brick, preserving a historical landmark. This grant is through the Public Facilities program, which according to the office of the Lieutenant Governor, strives to “improve the quality of place, to generate jobs and spur economic revitalization through improving community facilities or historic preservation projects.”
Representatives from the Hoosier Gym thanked everyone who supported their efforts to secure the grant funds, especially community members who attended the public hearing. They also appreciated the support from the Knightstown Forward Committee and the Town of Knightstown.
The City of New Castle was awarded $600,000 for wastewater system improvements to install new blowers and complete numerous safety improvements. This grant is through the Wastewater Drinking Water Program, designed to “protect the health and environment, reduce utility rates for low-to-moderate income communities and improve rural infrastructure to enable long-term economic growth,” according to the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
“This is great news. The work we will be able to do will help make our plant more efficient, and will make it safer for our workers,” noted Rex Peckinpaugh of the New Castle City Council. “Completing our Comprehensive Plan helped us be successful in the process.”
Funding for these CDBG programs comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs administers the program for the state of Indiana.