STATEHOUSE (April 20, 2022) – Wells County communities will receive more than $1.5 million in state matching grants for road and bridge improvement projects, according to State Reps. Matt Lehman (R-Berne) and Ann Vermilion (R-Marion).
In total, more than 220 towns, cities and counties will receive over $107 million in state funding through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. Funds, awarded twice a year, are 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.
"Roads require constant upkeep, and smaller communities can struggle with funding projects that are really important," Lehman said. "This program is geared toward making sure communities large and small can make improvements to their roads for years to come."
Area grant recipients include Wells County $468,862, Bluffton $149,000 and Ossian $924,495.
As part of the grant program, established in 2016 and expanded through laws supported by Lehman, 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.
"Solid infrastructure is a matter of safety, convenience and economic growth," Vermilion said. "With these grants, every community throughout the state has the opportunity to invest in their roads and bridges, without passing debt onto future generations."
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, which oversees and awards the grants, the next call for projects is expected in July. 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 Allen and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) represents House District 31,
which includes all of Blackford County and portions of Delaware, Grant and Wells counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
