STATEHOUSE (May 3, 2021) – Indiana recently awarded more than $1.1 million in state matching grants to local communities for road and bridge improvements, according to State Reps. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) and Beau Baird (R-Greencastle).
Through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program, 218 Hoosier cities, towns and counties received a combined total of over $100 million. This program was established in 2016 and expanded a year later in 2017 through laws Heaton supported. The Indiana Department of Transportation oversees and distributes these grants twice each year.
"This partnership between state and local governments benefits everyone who travels on our roads," said Heaton, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. "Hoosiers can see the difference when they commute for work and visit other parts of Indiana."
Owen County received $961,951, and Spencer received $220,663 for local road and bridge projects.
Baird, who is also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, said communities can use these funds for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage. Smaller municipalities must provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while large communities must provide a 50 percent match.
"Many of our smaller towns would struggle to fund and finish critical projects without these grants," Baird said. "Everyone working together helps ensure our roads and bridges are kept in good condition."
More than $931 million in total has been awarded throughout the state since 2016. State law requires that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.
More information about the program and recipients can be found online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings. The next call for projects through Community Crossings will open in July 2021.
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State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes portions of Clay, Monroe, Owen and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44, which includes
all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
