By Braden Dunlap, Press Secretary—
STATEHOUSE – Delaware County communities will receive more than $1 million in state matching grants to steer toward much-needed road improvement projects, according to local legislators.
State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) said 218 towns, cities and counties throughout Indiana received a combined total of over $101 million through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program. The Indiana Department of Transportation oversees and distributes these grants twice each year.
“Upgrading our roads and bridges is critical to our economy,” Rowray said. “By improving infrastructure in our towns and cities, we can ensure Hoosiers are able to reliably and safely get to where they need to go.”
According to State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City), the following communities received state matching grants:
- Delaware County $473,603;
- Muncie $336,454;
- Daleville $110,287; and
- Gaston $168,750.
“Many rural communities would struggle to fund needed infrastructure projects without help from Community Crossings grants,” Prescott said. “Ensuring local towns and cities are able to upgrade roads and bridges is critical in improving our economy and overall quality of life across Indiana.”
State Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) 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. 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.
“Ensuring local infrastructure is well-maintained is necessary to building upon our overall economy,” Vermilion said. “Roads are needed for the transportation of goods and services, and providing funding for upgrades is vital as our local communities look to grow.”
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) said more information about the program and recipients can be found online at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.
“This funding program allows us to complete large, much-needed projects in our communities,” Cook said. “Repairing our local roads not only improves drivers’ safety, but also attracts businesses, which ultimately stimulates our economy.”
State Rep. Ann Vermilion (R-Marion) represents House District 31, which includes all of Blackford County and portions of Delaware, Grant and Wells counties.
State Rep. Elizabeth Rowray (R-Yorktown) represents House District 35, which includes portions of Delaware and Madison counties.
State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33, which includes Jay and Randolph counties, and a portion of Delaware County.
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) represents House District 32, which includes all of Tipton County and portions of Hamilton, Madison, Delaware, Howard and Grant counties.
