From left are Jessica Miller, INDOT project manager; Doug Burgess, INDOT capital program management director and Steven Marquart, Milford water operator and street superintendent. Miller and Burgess were at Milford Town Hall Thursday, Aug. 25, to present Marquart with $41,911.62 from the state’s Community Crossings matching grant fund. “We like giving good news,” said Burgess. (Photo by David Hazledine)

MILFORD — Milford is among 121 Northern Indiana cities, towns and counties receiving funds from the Indiana Department of Transportation as part of the state’s Community Crossings matching grant fund. The town received $41,911.62 for use in road surfacing, bridge rehabilitation, road reconstruction and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in connection with road projects.

“Northern Indiana communities submitted more applications than any other region of the state and we are looking forward to seeing the projects that these matching grants will help complete,” said Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb.

The local road and bridge matching grant fund was created by the Indiana General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Mike Pence in March 2016. The program provides approximately $160 million in funding this year available to all Indiana cities, towns and counties on a 50/50 matching basis.

According to Joellen Free, Milford clerk/treasurer, after receiving a special distribution from the state last spring, Milford had “a couple weeks” to complete the paperwork needed for the grant, including an asset management plan Milford native Ben Beer of USI Consultants was able to finish under the deadline.

Steven Marquart, street superintendent, said the grant money will “help us pave some roads next year.” He also expects to make more intersections in town ADA accessible.

Other nearby municipalities receiving matching grants included Nappanee, $105,001; Leesburg, $34,719.50; Cromwell, $17,221.50 and the cities of Elkhart and Goshen, each receiving $1,000,000. Warsaw received $720,346.
The Community Crossings grant fund distributed $160 million statewide.