State Reps. Ledbetter, Lindauer: Local road projects receive state funding boost

Dubois Co.- Local Dubois County communities are set to receive over $1.7 million to complete much-needed road projects, according to State Reps. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) and Shane Lindauer (R-Jasper).

Funding is available through the state's Community Crossings Matching Grant Program, which can be used for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements and other items. In total, 224 towns, cities and counties will receive over $133.4 million in state matching grants.

"Investing in our infrastructure is vital to the economic success of our communities and state," Ledbetter said. "With these grant funds, local governments will be able to stretch dollars further and complete their projects much sooner."

Area grant recipients include:

• Dubois County, $984,801;
• Ferdinand, $282,140;
• Huntingburg, $73,501; and
• Jasper, $361,920.

"This program provides local communities the additional funding they need to help complete road and bridge projects," Lindauer said. "Sustainable infrastructure helps drive economic growth while also making travel more efficient and safer for Hoosiers."

To qualify for the competitive grant, 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. Since 2016, Community Crossings has awarded more than $1.27 billion to improve local roads and bridges.

A list of all communities receiving matching funds in the latest round is available here. Visit in.gov/indot/communitycrossings to learn more about the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program and the next call for projects opening in July.