Native Communities Obtain Grants, Loans By way of OCRA COVID-19 Response Program

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

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Forty-two rural communities are receiving over $10.09 million in federal grant funding via the COVID-19 Response Program, together with three native communities. 

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Workplace of Group and Rural Affairs made this announcement right now.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our Hoosier economy and they have made considerable sacrifices during the COVID-19 crisis.” stated 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 introduced 61 COVID-19 Response Part 1 recipients that obtained over $10.7 million in funding.

A second section of the COVID-19 Response Program permits OCRA to proceed addressing the financial influence attributable to COVID-19 on rural Hoosier companies. 

“Many of the business owners face already-slim margins, which make these grants even more essential for their survival,” stated Matt Crouch, Interim Government 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.”

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

Ripley County was awarded a $250,000 grant to create the Small Enterprise COVID Response Grant which is able to present $10,000 to eligible companies with lower than 100 workers.

Dearborn and Switerland Counties every obtained $250,000 loans to retain jobs. 

Dearborn County will use the $250,000 to create a revolving loan fund centered on small to medium-sized companies which have seen a adverse influence because of COVID-19.

Switzerland County’s $250,000 will set up a Small Enterprise loan Program. Funds will present working capital to native small companies struggling vital losses through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible communities had been capable of apply for as much as $250,000 and embody non-entitlement native items of presidency. The 2 eligible financial restoration actions included grants or loans to companies to retain Low-to-Average Revenue (LMI) jobs.

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