MUNCIE, Ind. — Seven communities in Delaware and Randolph counties have received state grants to help finance improvements to area roads and bridges.
The Community Crossings Matching Grant Program — created by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016 — “aims to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges,” according to a news release.
In Delaware County, towns receiving grants this year included Albany ($80,722.48), Daleville ($168,708.74), Eaton ($83,163.07) and Yorktown ($722,185.25).
Randolph County communities receiving grants were Farmland, ($78,412.50), Parker City ($209,043.75) and Winchester ($182,162.88).
Delaware County ($524,214.13) and Randolph County ($653,616.61) also received grants.
Through the program, the Indiana Department of Transportation matches up to $1.5 million annually when localities invest in road and bridge repairs, according to the release.
Counties with populations fewer than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 receive a 75/25% match, while counties with populations greater than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations greater than 10,000 receive a 50/50% match.
Scott Alexander, a Muncie Republican representing Indiana Senate District 26, said the grants would “help revitalize infrastructure that need improvements and move important transportation projects forward that will benefit our area for years to come.”
Two Republican members of the Indiana House whose districts include portions of Delaware County, Elizabeth Rowray of Yorktown and J.D. Prescott of Union City, also expressed support for the program.