STATEHOUSE (Dec. 7, 2022) – Over $1.1 million is headed to Owen County to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute).
Heaton said the local funding from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program is for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage, and can cover material costs for chip sealing and crack filling operations. In total, 229 towns, cities and counties will receive over $119 million in state matching grants.
"It's encouraging to see so many counties and communities across the state take advantage of these matching grants," Heaton said. "I encourage more of our towns, cities and counties to explore this grant program moving forward."
Area grant recipients include Owen County ($974,376) and Spencer ($170,013).
Heaton said smaller municipalities provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while large communities provide a 50 percent match. State law requires 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. To date, Hoosier communities are on the receiving end of more than $1 billion in Community Crossings Matching Grants, established in 2016 and expanded through laws supported by Heaton.
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, which oversees and awards the grants, the next call for projects is expected in January. Awards are released two times a year. More information can be found at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings or by emailing LPAQuestions@indot.in.gov.
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State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes all of Owen County, and portions of Clay, Monroe and Vigo counties.
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