Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs

Applications are open for OCRA’s summer internship program! Our interns will have the opportunity to work on projects specific to Indiana Main Street, Community Development Block Grant, Stellar Communities and Communications.   Apply to be one of OCRA’s two summer interns by Jan. 20! Learn more here and apply here: bit.ly/OCRA-Intern2025

Wishing you a happy New Year from the Office of Community & Rural Affairs!

The Office of Community & Rural Affairs wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!

Yesterday, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and OCRA announced 20 communities will receive more than $3.6 million in Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Grants and Planning Grants through the Community Development Block Grant program. Learn more about OOR Grant and Planning Grant recipients by reading the full release here: https://lnkd.in/gBCini6D

OCRA’s Building Socially Connected Communities program recently received recognition from Reimagining the Civic Commons for its significant impact. This organization strives to “transform public spaces to foster engagement, equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development in our cities.”   The Building Socially Connected Communities program is an example of an innovative statewide investment focused on tackling the loneliness epidemic. By creating inclusive public spaces and fostering community-based programming, we’re making strides to reduce social isolation and build stronger, more connected rural communities. By investing strategically in community well-being and economic vibrancy while aligning with statewide development goals, OCRA aims to foster resilient communities where all Hoosiers can thrive socially, economically and culturally.

The Office of Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and OCRA today announced Dearborn County and Wabash County as the 2024 Stellar Pathways designated communities. Congratulations to the two regions: 🔷 One Dearborn County: Stellar Pathways for Indiana Gateways - includes One Dearborn, Inc., Dearborn County, Town Of Dillsboro and Greendale. 🔷 Wabash County - includes Grow Wabash County , City of Wabash, Town of North Manchester, Roann, La Fontaine and Lagro. For more information on the Stellar Pathways program and this year's designees, read our release here: https://lnkd.in/enBYMhy4 Thank you to our Stellar Pathways partners Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Indiana Department of Health.

We're hiring! Join our team as a Community Development Block Grant Program Director. This position is responsible for leading and overseeing the state's CDBG funding allocation and programming, including all issues relating to program delivery, risk management, compliance oversight, training and policies, partnerships, ethical obligations, and fiscal integrity. Learn more about the position and apply here: https://lnkd.in/giUwHh85

Next Thursday, Dec. 12, the Indiana Main Street Council will meet for the final time in 2024 at the Indiana State Library. The Indiana Main Street Council serves as a key entity in encouraging the economic development, redevelopment and improvement of historic commercial districts in Indiana’s cities and towns. Learn more about the IMS Council and view the agenda here: https://lnkd.in/gen8XJfJ

Thank you to everyone who went out and supported local businesses on Small Business Saturday! Don't forget to keep shopping small and supporting your neighbors this holiday season. Check out our Shop Small Guide and plan your next visit to one of the Indiana Main Street communities: https://lnkd.in/gjqB-44j

The Office of Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and OCRA today announced the four selected communities to participate in the Rural Empowerment and Development program. The RED program is a comprehensive capacity-building and planning program created by OCRA and the Indiana Communities Institute at Ball State University designed to help communities expand on previous community development efforts. Congratulations to the following participating communities: Cass County, Fulton County, Huntington County and Orange County. Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/euBSqk7A