Local Communities Receive Grants, Loans Through OCRA COVID-19 Response Program

Ripley, Dearborn, and Switzerland Counties are among the 42 recipients of COVID-19 Response Phase 2 grants.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Forty-two rural communities are receiving over $10.09 million in federal grant funding through the COVID-19 Response Program, including three local communities. 

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs made this announcement today.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our Hoosier economy and they have made considerable sacrifices during the COVID-19 crisis.” said Lt. Gov. Crouch “This funding will help Hoosier small businesses continue to recover and will help make investments necessary to create safer spaces for their customers and staff.”

In April, Lt. Governor Crouch announced 61 COVID-19 Response Phase 1 recipients that received over $10.7 million in funding.

A second phase of the COVID-19 Response Program allows OCRA to continue addressing the economic impact caused by COVID-19 on rural Hoosier businesses. 

“Many of the business owners face already-slim margins, which make these grants even more essential for their survival,” said Matt Crouch, Interim Executive Director of OCRA. “OCRA is pleased to be able to continue our support for small businesses which is integral to the recovery of Indiana’s rural economy.”

Locally, Ripley, Dearborn, and Switzerland Counties are among the 42 recipients of COVID-19 Response Phase 2 grants and loans. 

Ripley County was awarded a $250,000 grant to create the Small Business COVID Response Grant which will provide $10,000 to eligible businesses with less than 100 employees.

Dearborn and Switerland Counties each received $250,000 loans to retain jobs. 

Dearborn County will use the $250,000 to create a revolving loan fund focused on small to medium-sized businesses that have seen a negative impact due to COVID-19.

Switzerland County's $250,000 will establish a Small Business Loan Program. Funds will provide working capital to local small businesses suffering significant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible communities were able to apply for up to $250,000 and include non-entitlement local units of government. The two eligible economic recovery activities included grants or loans to businesses to retain Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) jobs.

Indiana’s CARES Act allocation will fund the COVID-19 Response Phase 2 grants and loans.