(Southeastern IN) – Two local projects are receiving a shot in the arm from the state.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner announced Wednesday that 14 communities across the state will receive a combined $31.2 million for 28 miles of new trails as part of the fourth round of the Next Level Trails program.
The Town of Oldenburg was given $406,000 to develop the Oldenburg Heritage Trail, a 0.43-mile, 10-foot-wide shared-use asphalt path along State Road 229, Sycamore Street and Harvey Branch Creek that will provide access to athletic fields and the town park.
The new trail will use two existing pedestrian bridges to increase connectivity to existing trails and the historic core of the Village of Spires.
Oldenburg Freudenfest is a major partner in this $510,000 project.
The City of Greensburg was awarded $417,818 to extend the existing Rebekah Trail 0.25 miles to the west and south, and will connect to Pirate Park, the Greensburg/Decatur County Public Library and the future Main Street Trail to downtown Greensburg.
The existing trail connects to Greensburg Elementary and Greensburg High Schools, athletic fields and residential neighborhoods.
The total project price tag is $596,918.
The fourth-round grant recipients are contributing $15.5 million in matching value, resulting in a $46.7 million total investment in trails.
The program requires a minimum 20% project match, which can include monetary contributions, land value, and in-kind donations of materials and labor.
“Across the state, trails are making connections – bringing people and communities together in ways we’ve never seen before,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The Next Level Trails program has elevated those connections with record trail funding and palpable energy. Through $180 million across four rounds, we’re funding important infrastructure that is making an impact now and will continue to be felt for generations to come.”A $180 million grant program, Next Level Trails (NLT) is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. In rounds one, two, and three, a total of $120 million was awarded to 73 communities to build 190 miles of trails throughout Indiana.
