Local Communities Awarded $1.4 Million In Grants

By: Spencer Deery

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs is awarding 17 communities over $11 million in federal grants to improve their water infrastructure and expand community facilities.

In Senate District 23, the town of Cayuga was awarded $700,000 for a system-wide rehabilitation of the town’s water system and the town of New Market was awarded $700,000 for improvements to its wastewater treatment plant, including installment of a submerged aerated gravel reactor system to help reduce levels of pollutants.

Having reliable infrastructure is important in keeping our communities safe and attracting new businesses and residents to the area. I congratulate local leaders for receiving this award and thank them for looking out for our communities.

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Little Italy Festival

The highlight of my Labor Day weekend was the chance to return to the famous Little Italy Festival in Clinton where I chatted with attendees and passed out bags of candy along the parade route.

The festival is an annual event that runs every Labor Day and is worth checking out.

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September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicidal thoughts and mental health conditions can affect anyone. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 90% of individuals who report having suicidal thoughts experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.

Suicide prevention should be addressed year-round, but in September we highlight the importance of helping those in need understand what resources are available and options for finding mental health treatment.

To better prevent tragedies and provide help to those who need it, the new 2024-25 state budget allocates an additional $170 million for mental health resources, including veteran suicide prevention initiatives and the expansion of certified community behavioral health clinics in Indiana.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, visit in.gov/BeWellIndiana or call 2-1-1 to be connected to a mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.

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Special Enrollment Period Open for VA Health Care

Veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and left active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.

Veterans can apply online or in person at their local VA facility through Sept. 30.

– Spencer Deery is an Indiana State Senator serving District 23 which includes Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, Warren and portions of Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.