Annoucement

July 17, 2020

Public hearing to discuss proposed
Action Plan changes

Notice is hereby given that the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) plans to amend its 2019 Action Plan and 2020 Action Plan for Housing and Community Development. Additionally, OCRA is holding a public comment period for proposed changes to various Minimum Plan Requirements.

The Action Plan amendments concern the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development under Title I of the Housing & Community Development Act of 1974 as amended. Proposed changes cover:

  • FY 2019 Action Plan
    • Receive the State?s CDBG-CV2 allocation;
    • Add language on partnering with other state agencies on distributing CV funds.
  • FY 2020 Action Plan
    • Postpone the implementation of FY 2020 scoring criteria until January 1, 2021;
    • Increase the maximum grant amount for Planning Grants to $90,000.

A public hearing to discuss the draft 2019 and 2020 Action Plan amendments is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on July 30, 2020. This hearing will be held virtually and can be accessed through:

  • Event address for attendees: Click Here
  • Event number: 161 754 8547
  • Event password: CDBG
  • Audio conference: US toll-free 1-844-621-3956 or US toll 1-415-655-0001

Public comment for either Action Plan amendment should be sent to [email protected]. Public comments for the FY2019 Action Plan amendment will be accepted until 4 p.m. ET on July 31, 2020. Public comment for the FY2020 Action Plan amendment will be accepted until 4 p.m ET on August 23, 2020.

Included in the purposed changes to the FY 2020 Action Plan, are changes to the Planning Grants program. The proposed changes to Minimum Plan Requirements are:

  1. Comprehensive Plan
    • Adds Broadband planning as a requirement for the full comprehensive plan on the lines of studying current broadband conditions and elements of future broadband planning;
    • Maximum grant amount increased to $60,000.
  2. Economic Recovery Plan
    • The planning document will help create a vision of the future use that emphasizes economic recovery, development, and community engagement. The key goals will help sustain and recover downtown and regional businesses, revitalized neighborhoods, and attract new visitors, residents, and businesses to the community;
    • Maximum grant amount increased is $50,000.
  3. Water Infrastructure Plan
    1. Requires that all water utilities (stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water) present in the community be studied to allow for a holistic understanding of current utility conditions;
    2. Maximum grant amounts are:
      1. Community has two water utilities - $60,000.
      2. Community has three water utilities - $90,000.

The public comment period on the Minimum Plan Requirements is now being accepted through Friday, July 31 by completing this survey.

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Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as the Secretary of Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs? (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov.
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