Indy Standard

Indiana's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program has allocated over $1 million in state funding for road and bridge projects in Tippecanoe County, as announced by local legislators. The program is designed to assist communities with infrastructure improvements, such as road reconstruction and bridge preservation. This year, a total of 245 Indiana communities will benefit from more than $200 million in state matching grants.

State Representative Matt Commons (R-Williamsport) highlighted the importance of these grants for areas lacking resources to undertake significant infrastructure projects. "Not every area has the resources or funds to take on major road and bridge projects that could bring economic growth," Commons stated. "Community Crossings grants give communities and towns the additional support needed to attract new business and opportunities to rural areas."

Consumer Affairs recently ranked Indiana as the best state for overall road conditions, citing low traffic fatality rates and high-quality roads. Among the grant recipients are Shadeland, which received $424,875, and West Lafayette, which was awarded $581,082.

State Representative Mark Genda (R-Frankfort) emphasized the necessity of road maintenance for safety. "Road updates, maintenance and projects are essential for keeping our roadways safe and functional for Hoosiers," he said. The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program allows smaller communities to address large-scale infrastructure needs.

According to State Representative Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo), smaller municipalities must match 25 percent of local funds to qualify for funding, while larger ones need a 50 percent match. The program stipulates that half of the available matching funds be annually awarded to counties with populations under 50,000. Since its inception in 2016, Community Crossings has distributed over $2 billion towards local infrastructure improvements.

"Having strong, sustainable infrastructure is necessary to maintain Indiana’s economy and promote growth," VanNatter noted. "This program helps address our needs and makes communities across the state a better place to call home."

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