Hope to see $189k grant for local streets

Hope will receive $189,401 to improve local streets from a state matching grant fund.

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness announced last week in Madison that 229 Indiana cities, towns, and counties received a combined $99.2 million in state matching funds for local road projects through the Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative.

Bartholomew County received $591,796 toward county road and bridge improvements.

“High-quality local roads and bridges are an important part of our formula for attracting jobs, growing our economy, and building strong communities,”  Holcomb said. “Our fully-funded Next Level Roads plan and record-breaking level of construction has gained Indiana national recognition for our approach to infrastructure, and Community Crossings takes that commitment to the local level all across the state.”

INDOT now accepts applications in both January and July, with a $1 million cap annually per community. An estimated $100 million will be available for communities opting to apply during the January 2020 call for projects.

To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds, 50 percent for larger communities or 25 percent for smaller communities, from a funding source approved for road and bridge construction. They must also submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.