Small towns like Newberry, Indiana, are on track to see some concrete changes—literally—in their local infrastructure. State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) announced that Newberry was awarded a $102,000 grant from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, a boon for the town's crucial road and bridge projects.
These grants, which are part of a statewide effort, funnel over $200 million to 245 Indiana communities for various infrastructure improvements. As reported by the Indiana House Republicans, Borders remarked, "Strong infrastructure is the foundation of strong communities." This is evident in the use of funds—ranging from road reconstruction to intersection improvements—all aimed at enhancing local travel and safety, while also bolstering economic activity.
Indiana's commendable ranking as the top state for overall road conditions by Consumer Affairs is testament to the ripple effect that such funding can have. Quality roads and a low traffic fatality rate didn't happen by coincidence; they're the results of consistent investments and maintenance in transportation infrastructure. These grants are not just about laying asphalt, but also about laying groundwork for the safety and prosperity of Indiana's residents and businesses alike.
Smaller municipalities like Newberry are tasked with providing a 25 percent match in local funds. Larger communities must step up with a 50 percent match. Borders stressed that, "The state requires 50 percent of available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or less." Since 2016, the Community Crossings initiative has distributed upwards of $2 billion across Indiana, making it a significant contributor to the local economies and day-to-day lives of Hoosiers, as per the Indiana House Republicans.
