Redkey, Dunkirk awarded

Two local communities will receive state funding to help with street paving.

Redkey has been awarded a $178,961.60 Community Crossings grant through Indiana Department of Transportation while Dunkirk will get $169,280. The grants were part of $100 million in state matching funds announced Tuesday to assist 191 municipalities and communities with street, bridge and sidewalk projects.

“When we invest in roads and bridges through these Community Crossings grants, we’re helping communities attract new jobs, support Main Street businesses, and enhance quality of life for Hoosier families,” said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun in a news release. “I’m grateful for the strong partnerships with our local leaders who are putting these dollars to work building a better Indiana.”

Redkey will use its grant money toward paving sections of Spencer, Logan, Cleveland, Plum, Oak, Burr, Union, Butler, Rogers, Boyce, Main and Walnut streets.

Dunkirk’s funding will be used to pave all of Rick Drive, Second Street, Walnut Street and Harold Avenue, Blackford Avenue between Meridian and Main streets, Commerce Street between Main and Broad streets, and Meridian Street from the railroad tracks to Blackford Avenue. 

The grants require a 20% local match — $44,740.40 for Redkey and $42,320 for Dunkirk.

Jay County Commissioners had announced Monday that the county did not receive a Community Crossings grant for road paving work on county road 400 South.

Other communities in the region that received grant funding in the current round were Montpelier ($1 million), Bluffton ($1 million), Randolph County ($681,579.29), Adams County ($516,101.36), Albany ($267,481.60), Union City ($249,853.60) and Farmland ($135,252).

Dunkirk used Community Crossings funds to help with the paving of Pleasant Street on the west side of the city, Fourth Street, D Street and Lincoln Avenue between Main and Angle streets this year. Redkey paved sections of George, Elm, Sherman, Butler, Cleveland, Wayne and Ash streets.

With its grant awarded in December 2024, Portland paved sections of Wayside Place, Jaqua and Western avenues, Shank, Ship, Franklin, Seventh, North, First, Garfield, Munson, Hayes, Charles, Williams, Maple and Mangold streets, Silvers Lane and Tyson Road.

Community Crossings grant funding awarded in April went toward the rehabilitation of the Seventh Street bridge over the Salamonie River in Portland.