Hancock County's Pennsy Trail will receive funds for key project to add to trail.
Governor Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner announced 18 communities and non-profit organizations will receive a combined $29.6 million for 70 miles of new trail development as a part of the second round of the Next Level Trails program.
Combined with the 17 projects announced as part of the first round in May 2019, the Next Level Trails program has awarded $54.3 million in funding for more than 112 miles of trail throughout Indiana.
$670, 803 will go to add 1.32 miles of asphalt trail to the Pennsy Trail system in western Hancock County, completing a gap in the trail between C.R. 600 W and C.R. 500 W. The project is part of the statewide National Road Heritage Trail and is an important step toward completing the trail between Cumberland and Greenfield.
The trail is named for the corridor of the former Pennsylvania Railroad. Pennsy Trails of Hancock County is a key partner in the project.
Next Level Trails is the largest infusion of trails funding in state history. The $90 million grant program is divided into two components: a $70 million fund for regional projects and a $20 million fund for local projects.
The grants awarded in the second round include 10 regional projects and eight local projects.
DNR received second-round applications for 62 projects in 36 counties, requesting a total of more than $93 million for more than 158 proposed miles of hiking, biking and riding trails.
Next Level Trails is part of Gov. Holcomb's $1 billion Next Level Connections infrastructure program, which accelerates the completion of major highway projects, expands access to rural broadband services and pursues the expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.
Gov. Holcomb and the DNR also announced details of the third round of Next Level Trails. A total of $35 million will be available, including $25 million for regional projects and $10 million for local projects. Applications will be accepted starting Nov. 1 and are due to the DNR by Dec. 1.
