INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced they are now accepting Letters of Intent for the new Historic Renovation Grant Program, which is designed to preserve and rehabilitate historic properties to further incentivize downtown economic development.

“OCRA continues to invest our time and resources into creating hometowns that are positioned for economic growth,” said OCRA Executive Director Bill Konyha. “Through OCRA’s Historic Renovation Grant Program, communities have the opportunity to enhance their existing assets and thus produce a quality of place that continues to attract businesses, visitors and residents.”

During the 2016 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly approved legislation allocating $1.2 million in grant funding for the program, to be administered by OCRA. Applications for the HRGP, previously known as the Historic Tax Credit Program, will be reviewed by the Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology to ensure submissions meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.

Applicants located within an Indiana Main Street or non-entitlement community have the opportunity to apply for project funding between $10,000 and $100,000 at a maximum request of 35 percent of the total eligible project cost. Eligible applicants include: individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, limited liability company, corporation or nonprofit affordable housing organization.

Interested property owners, who meet established eligibility requirements, must submit an LOI by 4 p.m. on Friday, May 6,  to:

Office of Community and Rural Affairs
Attn: Adam Moschell
One North Capitol, 6th Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46204