Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs OCRA

Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs OCRA Update Eric Ogle, CDBG Program Director Agency under the Office of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch

Vision Bedford, Indiana OCRA works with Indiana communities to build relevant and economically thriving places where people want to live, grow, work and play.

Mission Zionsville, Indiana OCRA works with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to aid communities in shaping and achieving their vision for economic development.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Goal: encourage communities with eligible populations to focus on long-term community development. To be competitive, projects must demonstrate the following: • The particular project addresses the long-term planning and development efforts of the community; • The funds granted will have a significant impact on the overall project; • The community has demonstrated a strong commitment to the project and its sustainability; and • The project is ready to proceed upon grant award and will be completed within 18 months after grant award.

Planning Grants • Comprehensive plans are limited to $40, 000. • Water Infrastructure Studies are limited as follows: – $60, 000 for a study on two utilities, and – $90, 000 for a master utility study (water, wastewater, and storm water). • Economic Recovery plans are limited to $40, 000. • Broadband Readiness plans All projects require a minimum of a 10% local match.

Planning Grants Updates to Planning Grant plans: • Comprehensive plans now includes broadband component • Water Infrastructure plans: – Focus on a holistic view of a community’s water infrastructure – Must include all water infrastructure within the community unless owned or controlled by another entity – Stromwater is always part of the study • Economic Recovery is new and focuses on recovery from any economic downturn

Infrastructure Programs

Stormwater Improvement Program • This program assist Indiana communities that suffer from flooded property and sewer backups and flooding due to inadequate stormwater management. • Max: $600, 000 • Local match: 10%

Wastewater Drinking Water Maximum Grant Amounts Rates for 4, 000 gallons User Rates ($30 to $50) User Rates (Under $30) $700, 000 $600, 000 $550, 000 Projects under $1 million in $600, 000 total project cost $550, 000 $500, 000 Projects over $1 million in total project cost (Over $50) • Local match: 20% • Types of activities: – – Wastewater Improvements (collection lines, treatment plant, etc. Drinking Water System Improvements (water tower, distribution)

Best Practices • BID Alternates vs. Change in Scope of Work • Estimates • Bids

BID Alternates vs. Change Scope of Work BID Alternates • Change in the type of materials used o Less expensive features: granite vs. laminate countertop, brick vs. siding Change in Scope of Work • Elimination of features from the original scope of work o Removing a block of sewer lines, eliminating new meters, removing a building from a façade project • Submit modification with justification o Must always be approved by OCRA • Reducing scope of work to lower project costs are NOT BID alternates

Estimates and Bids Project Cost Estimates • Should be less than a month old at time of application • Must follow OCRA Budget template • Budget items should be broken down as app Bids • Must follow federal procurement process as defined by OCRA • Should not include any changes to the scope • More time can be given to contractors for larger or more complex projects

Questions? Eric Ogle, CDBG Program Director (317) 775 -4667 eogle 1@ocra. in. gov Indiana. OCRA ocra. in. gov @Indiana. OCRA