State officials have announced more IPR-area communities have been awarded federal blight elimination money to tear down abandoned and dangerous homes. In a statement, Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann says these latest awards go to the most rural cities and counties that applied. She says a total of $12 million will be able to demolish about 550 blighted properties.

The awards in the IPR area include:

Peru – $813,000

New Castle – $700,000

Shelbyville – $304,000

Rusville – $230,000

Connersville – $125,000

Three cities in Blackford County – Dunkirk, Hartford City, and Montpelier – are awarded a total of $744,000.

The money comes from the federal Hardest Hit Funds and state officials say more is available for getting rid of dangerous homes. The program is accepting a second round of applications. Officials in cities like Muncie say they will be applying again. Ellspermann says the state estimates it could pay to demolish 4,000 homes around the state with the money available.