A total of 80 communities, including many across Northwest and North Central Indiana, will receive a share of more than $18.6 million in federal grant funds through Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs COVID-19 Response Grant Program.

“This grant program has already provided support to more than 600,000 Hoosiers across our state,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne “This round we expanded the COVID-19 Response Grant Program so we can continue helping Hoosiers, their families and their businesses recover from the pandemic.”

The complete list of communities receiving grants is available on OCRA’s website.

In April 2020, OCRA began addressing COVID-19 impact on Indiana communities. Last year, 112 grants were awarded to 96 communities, totaling more than $20.9 million.

“Based on additional research and community feedback, OCRA was able to open this round to municipalities of all sizes and expanded eligible activities,” said Denny Spinner, dxecutive director of OCRA. “With a focus on assisting small businesses, expanding food bank and pantry services, and providing essential mental health services, these grants will impact Hoosiers and communities that are on the road to recovery.”

For the latest round, eligible applicants included non-entitlement and entitlement local units of government who could apply for up to $250,000. Eligible activities include mental health services, childcare services, public WiFi locations, food pantry or bank services, subsidence payment programs, or grants or loans to businesses to retain low-to-moderate income (LMI) jobs.

Funding for the COVID-19 Response Phase 3 funding is derived from Indiana’s CARES Act allocation. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020.