Lt. Gov. Crouch & State Legislators Join OCRA To Honor Local Rural Communities

Holton, Lawrenceburg, Batesville, and Dillsboro were all honored at the 2019 OCRA awards ceremony.

Leaders from the Town of Dillsboro. Photo provided. 

(Indianapolis, Ind.) -  Yesterday, a few local communities were recognized along with a total of 85 individuals and communities who partnered with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) throughout 2019. 

While partnering with OCRA, Holton, Lawrenceburg, Batesville, and Dillsboro worked to shape and execute their goals for the community and economic development opportunities. 

"By working together, these communities applied innovative changes to their public buildings, parks, walkways, main streets and economic developments," Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch said. "In partnership with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, local leaders are able to utilize this funding to incorporate the plans to further their economic and community development."

Crouch said more than $56 million local community dollars were combined with the $35 million OCRA funding to complete many improvements across Indiana. 

Holton and Lawrenceburg were both awarded grants under the Public Facilities Program. 

• Town of Holton was awarded $500,000 with a local match of $182,830. 
• City of Lawrenceburg was awarded $279,760 with a local match of $279,760.

Batesville Main Street and Dillsboro received Quick Impact Placebased grants. 

• Batesville Main Street was awarded $5,000 with a local match of $7,100.
• Town of Dillsboro was awarded 4,369 with a local match of $9.365. 

“Today is a great day to celebrate all the successes, collaborative efforts and planning our Hoosier communities have achieved over the last year,” said Jodi Golden, OCRA Executive Director. “Our office was fortunate to help our rural cities, towns and counties grow and I’m excited to see what the future has in store for all of them as they continue to develop.”

State legislators, mayors, local elected officials, grant administrators, community development organizations, community partners and businesses celebrated OCRA's 14th anniversary at the 2019 awards ceremony.