Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission

03/03/2026

Shelby County has been awarded $750,000 from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) to make critical improvements within the Waldron Conservancy District.

This funding will support:
✅ Rehabilitation of water storage tanks
✅ Rehabilitate Water treatment plant and wells
✅ Replacement of water meters and hydrants

OCRA distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to help rural communities invest in essential infrastructure projects. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by OCRA for the State of Indiana.

These improvements will strengthen the local water system and help ensure reliable, high-quality service for residents of the Waldron area for years to come.

SIRPC was proud to assist Shelby County with this grant application and appreciates the collaboration that helped bring this investment to the Waldron community. Congratulations to all involved!

03/03/2026

The Town Of Westport Indiana has been awarded $451,223 from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs!

These funds will be used to rehabilitate the town’s only elevated water storage tank, which is a critical piece of infrastructure that supports reliable water service, system pressure, and fire protection for residents and businesses.

OCRA distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to help rural communities invest in essential infrastructure improvements. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by OCRA for the State of Indiana.

This investment will help ensure safe, dependable water service for Westport well into the future.

SIRPC was pleased to assist the Town of Westport with the grant application and appreciates the strong local leadership that helped make this project possible. Congratulations to the Town on this important investment in community infrastructure!

03/03/2026

Congratulations to the Jefferson County Commissioners and Telegraph Hill Rykers Ridge Regional Sewer District #1! We’re grateful for the opportunity to assist with this Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant and proud to support infrastructure improvements in our region.

The Jefferson County Commissioners and the Telegraph Hill Rykers Ridge Regional Sewer District #1 have been awarded $750,000 from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA)!

These funds will be used to make much‑needed repairs and improvements to the sewer system, including:
✅ Grinder pump station upgrades
✅ Collection system improvements
✅ Lift station rehabilitation

OCRA distributes Community Development Block Grant funds to help rural communities invest in critical infrastructure projects. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by OCRA for the State of Indiana.
The Commissioners would also like to extend a sincere thank you to the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission for their assistance with the grant application.
This investment will help strengthen local infrastructure and support the long‑term needs of our community!

02/25/2026

We’re glad to see continued engagement from OCRA in Southeast Indiana. Strong regional partnerships and proactive planning help position communities for future opportunities and we’re always here to assist when local leaders are ready to take the next step.

02/20/2026

Comprehensive planning is vital to building strong, resilient communities. We’re proud to support Ripley County in this important process and encourage residents to review the draft and share their input.

The Ripley County 2026 Comprehensive Plan Public Review Draft is now available!

Join us for a public presentation on March 11 at 5:00 PM at the Ripley County Annex to learn more and share your input.

You can also review the draft online and submit comments by Friday, March 20 at:
www.envisionripleycounty.com/resources

Your feedback helps shape the future of Ripley County. We hope to see you there!

02/20/2026

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

02/20/2026

Exciting opportunity for our region! We’re glad to see SEI READI bringing practical, forward-thinking training on tools like AI to local governments across Southeast Indiana.

🤖 AI is transforming how governments serve their communities across the nation —and SEI READI is bringing that knowledge right here to our region.

Join us for AI in Government 101, a FREE capacity building workshop hosted by SEI READI in partnership with the Cincinnati AI Catalyst!

📅 Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Ivy Tech Community College – Lakefront Campus, Lawrenceburg, IN (Virtual option available!)
🍽️ Free lunch provided

This workshop is designed for elected officials and government staff across the SEI READI region — and no tech background is required! You'll walk away with a clear understanding of what AI actually is, how local governments around the country are using it right now, and how it can help stretch tax dollars and improve resident satisfaction.

✅ In-person seating is LIMITED and reserved for officials and staff in the six-county SEI READI region.
✅ Virtual attendance is open to anyone outside the region or unable to attend in person.

⏰ RSVP by Friday, March 6
📧 Email Gage Pace at [email protected] — and let him know if you'll be joining in person or virtually.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn about this exciting new technology for your community! 👇

02/20/2026

We’re proud to work alongside the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and our local partners to support community resiliency efforts in Southeast Indiana. Strong partnerships make strong communities!

02/05/2026

Public input needed! ✍️

Following the completion of a year-long utility study, the Town of Versailles is pursuing grant funding in the amount of $750,000 from the Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs to complete necessary water system repairs. We are seeking public input related to this project. Please complete the survey at the link below. Information about this project and the survey link will also be included in the March water bills.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/versailleswater

02/04/2026

We were happy to assist the Town of Vernon with the application for the Building Socially Connected Communities grant through OCRA. Projects like this show how investment in shared spaces can strengthen community connections. Congratulations to Vernon on this exciting milestone!

Over the last two years, Vernon has been the recipient of multiple grants to assist the renovation and restoration of the historic Vernon High School in order to create a welcoming multi-use facility and community center. We would like to welcome the general public to see the new spaces and amenities now available in Vernon. The open house will be Wednesday February 11th from 6 - 8pm with refreshments available. We look forward to welcoming you.

02/04/2026

We’re proud to have been a part of the Stellar Communities program and to partner with the City of Madison and OCRA. This spotlight does a wonderful job highlighting how collaboration and long-term vision can truly transform a community. Congratulations to Madison!