STATEHOUSE (Dec. 6, 2022) – Nearly $900,000 is headed to Jay County communities to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to State Reps. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) and J.D. Prescott (R-Union City).
Lehman 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, 230 towns, cities and counties will receive over $119 million in state matching grants.
"Our communities are growing, and these strong investments in local roads and bridges will help support that growth for years to come," Lehman said. "From safety improvements to new construction, this dedicated funding for our infrastructure will be put to good use on behalf of all of us who depend on it."
Area grant recipients include Dunkirk ($140,981), Portland ($549,558) and Redkey ($196,100).
Prescott 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 Lehman.
"Investing in our infrastructure is always a priority, especially for small and rural communities like ours," Prescott said. "Nearly every industry and Hoosier relies on well-maintained roads, and these grants are an effective way for the state to partner with local governments in order to take care of our transportation needs."
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. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) represents House District 79,
which includes all of Adams County, and portions of Jay and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33,
which includes all of Blackford and Randolph counties, and portions of Delaware, Henry and Jay counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
