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Akron to improve wastewater infrastructure via $750K GRANT By LEAH SANDER Staff Writer
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Akron’s wastewater infrastructure hasn’t been in compliance with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management since a number of years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Its leaders are happy an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Community Development Block Grant can help fix the issue. The town learned it received the $750,000 CDBG about a month ago. Akron Town Clerk-Treasurer Rebecca Hartzler said Akron applied for the grant in late 2025 and received the full amount it had asked for. Akron Town Council President Jim Saner said money will cover possibly adding a third treatment lagoon, putting a line from the wetlands to the lagoons and “refurbishing the lift stations.” The town is working on purchasing property for a new lagoon, north of the current lagoons, which are by Noyer Drive. Though the town used federal COVID-19 relief money to fix lift station controls, the $750,000 grant will help Akron address its wastewater infrastructure needs more fully and help “the operations run a lot better,” said Hartzler. Akron also hopes to get a no-interest or low-interest Indiana State Revolving Fund loan to fund the project as well as using some of its own money. Hartzler said estimates are for the project to occur in fall 2026 or spring 2027 if everything goes by plan. Once the project is complete, IDEM “should release us from the agreed (noncompliance) order.” Work the town has completed thus far to become in compliance includes installing backup generators at the lift stations, renovating the wetlands, repairing pumps and
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OCRA GRANT — Akron recently received a $750,000 Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Community Development Block Grant for a wastewater project. From left are Akron Town Superintendent Jake Gearhart, Akron Town Assistant Superintendent Anthony Newcomer, Akron Town Clerk-Treasurer Rebecca Hartzler, Akron Town Council President Jim Saner, OCRA’s Gerry White and State Rep. Jack Jordan. Photo provided by the town of Akron. using an aerator and chemicals to treat the wastewater. “I just feel like we’re finally on the right track to getting a longterm problem corrected for constituents,” said Hartzler. “It has been the low-hanging fruit that just never seemed to be achievable, but our holdup every single time was funding the cost of the project and trying to get the grants.” Saner thanked Shannon McLeod for writing the grant and Baker Tilly for providing financial guidance. Hartzler noted Akron’s situation is similar to other small, rural communities dealing with aging infrastructure and limited finances. “I just think this is going to really help our town,” said Saner. “We’re in the process of finishing up a water project ... for both of our towers, putting a new main in on the south end of town. We’re just looking for ways to improve our town.” Hartzler added residents may
also see a wastewater rate increase on their bills in the future to help pay for the project. Any increase would be approved at a future Akron Town Council meeting. The wastewater project drawings will also be shown at a future meeting, with the public able to ask questions then.
People are welcome to attend meetings, held at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Akron Town Hall. Per a recent Indiana law, all meetings are livestreamed now, with people available to see them on YouTube via the link listed at akronindiana. com/events.
CHECKING THE METER — Akron Town Superintendent Jake Gearhart checks the flow meter out at the town’s wastewater lagoons. Photo by Leah Sander.
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