Lt. Gov. Skillman awards Bainbridge $234,300 grant

Bainbridge officials and citizens recently traveled to Indianapolis to receive a $234,300 from Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. Pictured at the ceremony are, from left, Town Clerk Jason Hartman, utility worker Troy Elless, Town Council President Richard Cope, Lt. Governor Skillman, Glenda Nelson, Utility Director Jim Nelson and Kristy Jerrell. (Courtesy photo)

INDIANAPOLIS -- In a Dec. 14 Statehouse ceremony, Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman awarded the Town of Bainbridge a $234,300 Community Focus Fund grant for a sewer rehabilitation project.

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers the grants, which are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Thirty-three communities and counties were recognized at the ceremony, with grant awards totaling more than $15 million.

"Grant opportunities, like this one, allow rural communities to undertake projects they might not otherwise be able to fund," said Lt. Governor Skillman. "The Community Focus Fund grants provide communities with the resources they need to achieve their long-term development goals and eliminate the barriers that stand in the way of their economic success."

Bainbridge will use the grant funding to complete necessary improvements to its wastewater system. The town will install a new disinfection system needed to meet health and safety requirements and bring the system into compliance with environmental standards.

The project also includes an upgrade to all lift station pumps, which are currently outdated and in need of replacement.

The Community Focus Fund grants are awarded twice annually through a competitive application process. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to community and senior centers, special needs facilities, libraries, water system improvements, storm drainage projects and sewer system improvements.

Lt. Governor Skillman oversees the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. OCRA was created by legislation in 2005, making rural Indiana a major focus for the first time. For additional information on OCRA and its programs visit www.ocra.in.gov.