Indiana's infrastructure is getting a hefty injection of cash, with local communities receiving a combined total of over $4.6 million in state funding for local road and bridge projects. The influx comes courtesy of the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, which State Rep. Bruce Borders (R-Jasonville) announced. Established by a law passed in 2016 by House Republicans, the program plays a vital role in keeping the state's roads safe and in good repair.
The recent announcement included a list of nearly 200 communities benefiting from this round of funding, sharing a piece of the $100 million state matching grants pie. According to Indiana House Republicans, "Good infrastructure keeps our economy moving, and this grant funding ensures local roads stay safe and reliable for families and businesses alike," said Borders. His words underscore the initiative’s intent to support road repairs, bridge maintenance, and intersection upgrades among other infrastructure projects.
Eligibility for these funds requires smaller municipalities to dig up 20 percent in local funds, while larger communities must come up with a 50 percent match. State guidelines, looking out for the little guy, mandate that half of the available matching funds each year are directed to communities in counties with populations of 50,000 or less, an effort to level the playing field across the Indiana heartland.
The list of area grant recipients is diverse, spanning from Bicknell's substantial $959,797 to Newberry's more modest $45,620 allocation. Sullivan County along with Linton each snagged a cool $1 million. Since its inception, the Community Crossings program has been generous, shelling out over $2 billion to enhance local roads and bridges, an investment that has paved the way for improved connectivity and safety. For those who are interested, a complete list of grant recipients and additional details about the program can be found by visiting Indiana House Republicans' website.
