TOP STORY OF THE DAY: Gov. Holcomb visits Clay County - Over $2 million in grants awarded locally

By IVY JACOBS

Times Co-Editor

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation(INDOT) Commissioner Mike Smith came to Brazil Wednesday morning to recognize local governments awarded state matching funds for local road construction projects through the Community Crossings program.

The Governor, who is in his final year of eight years in office, said he has been in all 92 counties throughout Indiana, sometimes without cameras and media in tow, but coming to Clay County, whether in the role of governor or shooting hoops with a friend is always sentimental.

“When a previous governor visited here in 2005, I was too,” Holcomb said adding that when small towns grow and progress, so does the state. “We couldn’t do that as a state without working with small communities.”

Holcomb said when small communities can offer a high quality of living, like Brazil, Indianapolis, or Bainbridge, we all succeed together.”

The clock is ticking on his time in office, admits Holcomb, but he says Clay County has been on the forefront of the changes taking place in the state. Holcomb said there are so many people from Clay County who have served in state positions and helped make positive changes felt around the state.

“It is time, I felt, to come say thank you for all you have done to make our state better,” said Holcomb, who stopped by A&B Farmhouse to look at the mural before attending the event at the courthouse.

INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith pointed out that everywhere he’s been in Clay County, the people have been so nice and welcoming.

“A special shout out to Gotcha Coffee this morning,” said Smith. “They were so nice. Everyone has been so nice.”

COMMUNITY CROSSING GRANTS

During the calendar year of 2024, the maximum awarded amount for the grant program was increased from $1 million to $1.5 million dollars.

Community Crossings, since 2016, is a partnership between INDOT and urban and rural Hoosier communities to invest in infrastructure projects that catalyze economic development, create jobs, and strengthen local transportation networks.

Indiana has ranked first among states for infrastructure.

A total of 252 communities across the state will receive over $207 million through Indiana’s Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. Funds can be used for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements and other items.

State Reps. Alan Morrison (R-Brazil) and Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) supported the funding of the grant program that can be used for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements and other items.

“These matching grants have enabled communities of all sizes to more quickly complete essential infrastructure projects,” Morrison said. “It’s great to see local and state governments work together to ensure our roads and bridges are safe.”

“A reliable transportation network is vital to keeping our communities safe,” Heaton said. “Thanks to this program, Indiana has some of the best roads and bridges in the nation, ensuring that our reputation as the Crossroads of America is well-deserved.”

Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham was on hand to receive one of the grants for the City of Brazil in the amount of $538,929.74.

Clay County Commissioners Bryan Allendar, Marty Heffner, and Paul Sinders received a grant for $1.5 million.

The Governor made the comment during the event, “The exciting part, we get to do this again this year.”

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FIRST ROUND OF 2024 COMMUNITY CROSSINGS GRANT RECIPIENTS

Adams County $1,500,000.00

Akron $447,463.48

Albion $269,459.25

Allen County $1,500,000.00

Anderson $1,423,777.75

Arcadia $174,000.00

Argos $91,706.25

Ashley $622,500.00

Auburn $500,000.00

Avilla $965,797.50

Avon $1,155,453.04

Bainbridge $396,618.00

Bartholomew County $1,500,000.00

Batesville $1,274,873.23

Battle Ground $134,456.92

Bedford $535,077.09

Beech Grove $353,851.51

Beverly Shores $91,474.12

Blackford County $226,858.12

Bloomington $745,893.54

Boone County $556,005.51

Bourbon $116,869.42

Brazil $538,929.74

Bremen $500,761.19

Bristol $1,129,571.73

Brookston $219,225.00

Brown County $1,500,000.00

Brownsburg $621,154.61

Cannelton $47,719.12

Carroll County $1,363,237.50

Cass County $1,336,615.61

Chesterfield $472,916.47

Cicero $877,537.50

Clark County $1,188,878.82

Clarksville $892,789.42

Clay County $1,500,000.00

Clinton County $934,396.31

Colfax $88,486.50

Columbus $1,499,999.92

Connersville $374,680.01

Covington $220,597.51

CCMG Awards 2024-1

Crawfordsville $790,523.00

Crothersville $222,079.50

Crown Point $1,500,000.00

Culver $284,923.50

Cumberland $107,077.50

Danville $441,319.86

De Motte $697,162.50

Decatur County $1,499,988.18

Delaware County $1,500,000.00

Delphi $999,750.00

Dubois County $1,005,866.01

Dyer $1,053,092.40

East Chicago $1,474,854.36

Elkhart $1,492,756.25

Elkhart County $1,500,000.00

Ellettsville $208,111.05

Elwood $749,984.73

English $179,403.75

Evansville $952,628.09

Farmersburg $402,270.75

Fayette County $1,424,662.49

Ferdinand $201,102.50

Fishers $1,500,000.00

Flora $351,894.37

Fort Wayne $1,500,000.00

Fountain County $1,500,000.00

Fowler $734,168.25

Frankfort $318,441.45

Franklin $1,185,196.27

Franklin County $1,118,688.75

Frankton $214,519.50

Fremont $1,500,000.00

Fulton County $1,500,000.00

Gary $1,499,999.95

Gas City $1,051,254.90

Gibson County $1,500,000.00

Goodland $176,040.00

Goshen $1,500,000.00

Grant County $1,483,961.20

Greenfield $1,328,034.00

Greensburg $1,467,767.50

Griffith $1,500,000.00

Hamilton County $1,500,000.00

Hamlet $133,106.06

Hancock County $919,470.00

Harrison County $1,500,000.00

Hebron $297,428.49

Hendricks County $1,500,000.00

Henry County $1,500,000.00

Highland $1,024,569.30

Hillsboro $160,419.74

Howard County $1,499,350.73

Hudson $1,131,000.00

Huntingburg $604,988.76

Huntington $1,059,539.79

Huntington County $1,365,897.90

Hymera $155,138.25

Jackson County $1,458,024.00

Jasper $336,115.80

Jasper County $1,500,000.00

Jay County $1,181,741.84

Jeffersonville $1,500,000.00

Jennings County $1,362,844.57

Jonesboro $249,575.25

Kempton $44,841.93

Kingman $184,271.25

Knightstown $644,781.75

Knox County $1,500,000.00

Kokomo $1,500,000.00

La Fontaine $149,957.61

Lafayette $1,500,000.00

LaGrange County $1,500,000.00

Larwill $214,908.75

Lawrence $1,004,850.84

Lawrenceburg $818,106.00

Lebanon $639,653.00

Leesburg $76,876.48

Linton $300,281.25

Loogootee $1,455,930.75

Lowell $761,805.25

Madison County $1,500,000.00

Marion $1,500,000.00

Markle $1,500,000.00

Marshall County $1,500,000.00

Martin County $994,436.55

Martinsville $951,554.57

Mccordsville $346,297.50

Medaryville $165,065.99

Meridian Hills $271,745.24

Merom $21,602.10

Miami County $1,500,000.00

Michigan City $1,460,881.86

Middlebury $239,370.00

Middletown $109,458.22

Milltown $93,827.80

Mitchell $152,872.50

Monroe County $1,500,000.00

Montgomery County $1,294,465.44

Monticello $1,038,258.00

Morocco $154,223.43

Mount Summit $190,582.50

Mount Vernon $687,259.50

Muncie $1,500,000.00

Munster $843,479.50

Nappanee $826,707.00

New Albany $895,898.42

New Carlisle $664,953.75

New Chicago $282,468.75

New Haven $1,500,000.00

New Market $623,553.02

New Palestine $171,404.77

New Whiteland $926,250.00

Newburgh $887,508.18

Newton County $698,043.30

Noble County $1,500,000.00

Noblesville $1,171,195.00

North Judson $37,499.87

North Liberty $272,775.00

North Vernon $970,405.50

Ogden Dunes $386,470.94

Orange County $1,500,000.00

Orland $510,000.00

Orleans $146,125.06

Osceola $209,694.11

Otterbein $75,000.00

Owen County $1,470,220.50

Parke County $1,130,426.69

Patoka $100,808.81

Perry County $1,500,000.00

Pike County $1,498,570.65

Pittsboro $519,416.24

Plainfield $1,006,872.50

Portage $1,500,000.00

Porter $271,932.85

Porter County $1,500,000.00

Posey County $1,260,167.61

Pottawattamie Park $408,918.00

Princes Lakes $263,795.36

Pulaski County $1,032,285.00

Putnam County $1,499,999.94

Randolph County $1,068,949.98

Remington $141,677.23

Richmond $320,196.98

Ripley County $847,875.00

Rochester $329,497.50

Rockville $132,182.25

Rocky Ripple $64,224.86

Rome City $189,536.25

Rush County $485,022.75

Rushville $300,000.00

Salem $451,683.75

Saratoga $40,316.21

Schererville $509,722.00

Schneider $128,975.93

Scott County $1,396,124.59

Seymour $1,500,000.00

Shadeland $688,095.93

Shamrock $49,470.75

Shelby County $999,232.50

Shelbyville $444,069.00

Shirley $72,030.00

Shoals $235,837.50

Silver Lake $225,000.00

South Bend $1,500,000.00

South Whitley $1,500,000.00

Southport $334,288.12

Spencer $241,377.74

Spencer County $1,500,000.00

St. Joseph County $1,500,000.00

St. Leon $173,930.72

Starke County $1,500,000.00

Steuben County $956,631.26

Sullivan County $1,500,000.00

Summitville $176,812.49

Sweetser $1,150,709.25

Switzerland County $674,089.80

Tell City $995,349.47

Tipton $1,129,054.36

Topeka $1,500,000.00

Town Of Pines $173,981.25

Union County $1,283,246.09

Upland $1,058,410.35

Valparaiso $1,500,000.00

Vanderburgh County $1,064,117.75

Vermillion County $1,500,000.00

Versailles $362,065.24

Vigo County $1,500,000.00

Wabash County $779,829.44

Wanatah $122,340.00

Warren County $1,380,029.25

Warrick County $1,395,128.95

Warsaw $990,952.50

Washington $224,298.69

Washington County $1,500,000.00

Wayne County $186,520.26

West Lafayette $626,603.15

West Lebanon $74,900.55

Westport $592,960.50

White County $1,500,000.00

Whiteland $787,939.50

Whiting $688,350.00

Whitley County $1,322,662.50

Williamsport $264,750.00

Winchester $1,044,593.80

Winfield $1,500,000.00

Winona Lake $835,551.09

Winslow $61,265.62

Wolcott $340,295.25

Yorktown $348,960.27

Zanesville $210,000.00

Zionsville $675,032.25

TOTAL $207,324,125.53