Indy Standard

Indiana's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program has allocated over $2.3 million to Tipton County communities for local road and bridge projects, according to State Representative Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo). This initiative is part of a broader effort that will see 245 Indiana communities receive more than $200 million in state matching grants this year.

The program aims to provide funding for road reconstruction, bridge preservation, intersection improvements, and other related projects. "Having strong, sustainable infrastructure is necessary to maintain Indiana’s economy and promote growth," VanNatter stated. "This program helps address our needs and makes communities across the state a better place to call home."

Among the recipients are Elwood with $731,746, Kempton with $83,889, and Tipton receiving $1.5 million. The allocation comes as Indiana was recently ranked as the best state in the nation for overall road conditions by Consumer Affairs, praised for its low rate of traffic fatalities and quality roads.

VanNatter explained that smaller municipalities must provide a 25 percent match in local funds to qualify for funding, while larger communities are required to provide a 50 percent match. Additionally, the state mandates that 50 percent of available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with populations of 50,000 or less. Since its inception in 2016, Community Crossings has distributed over $2 billion towards improving local roads and bridges.

For further information on grant recipients or details about the program, individuals can visit in.gov/indot/communitycrossings.

State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38 which includes all of Carroll and Tipton counties and portions of Cass, Clinton, Howard, and Tippecanoe counties.