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VERSION:2.0
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CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
X-WR-CALNAME:Gov. Holcomb announces nearly $30 million Next Level Trails gr
 ant awards
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Indiana (East)
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260515T193158Z
UID:tag:localist.com\,2008:EventInstance_36103942963875
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20210304
DESCRIPTION:INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of
  Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner today announced 18 communities and
  non-profit organizations will receive a combined $29.6 million for 70 mil
 es of new trail development as a part of the second round of the Next Leve
 l Trails program.\n\nCombined with the 17 projects announced as part of th
 e 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.\
 n\n“Trails have been an important resource for Hoosiers’ physical and 
 mental well-being throughout the pandemic\,” Gov. Holcomb said. “These
  projects are a transformational investment in quality of life for communi
 ties across our state and a valuable tool for economic and tourism develop
 ment. We are creating important connections that take us one step closer t
 o becoming the most trail-friendly state in the country.”\n\nNext 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. A total o
 f $30 million was available for the second round\, $25 million for regiona
 l projects and $5 million for local projects. The increased interest in ou
 tdoor recreation Indiana residents displayed during the pandemic further d
 emonstrates the need for such projects.\n\n“Hoosiers visited trails and 
 parks this past year in unprecedented numbers\,” Bortner said. “Demand
  for trails has never been higher\, and we are excited to partner with loc
 al governments and non-profits to build these important community assets.
 ”\n\nThe grants awarded in the second round include 10 regional projects
  and eight local projects. The list of awards\, project descriptions\, and
  a map can be found here.\n\nDNR 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. This t
 otal included 20 new applications and 42 returning applications from the f
 irst round. The DNR reviewed the applications for eligibility\, and a mult
 i-agency committee evaluated the proposals based on the Next Level Trails 
 program objectives.\n\nIn addition to the $29.6 million awarded through Ne
 xt Level Trails\, the 18 second-round grant recipients contributed $21.9 m
 illion in matching value\, resulting in a $51.5 million total investment i
 n trails. The program requires a minimum 20% project match\, which can inc
 lude monetary contributions\, land value\, and in-kind donations of materi
 als and labor.\n\nNext Level Trails is part of Gov. Holcomb's $1 billion N
 ext Level Connections infrastructure program\, which accelerates the compl
 etion of major highway projects\, expands access to rural broadband servic
 es and pursues the expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.\n\nGov
 . Holcomb and the DNR also announced details of the third round of Next Le
 vel Trails. A total of $35 million will be available\, including $25 milli
 on 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. DNR wil
 l announce details for an applicant workshop webinar later this year.\n\nM
 ore information can be found at: on.IN.gov/nextleveltrails.\n\n-30-
LOCATION:
SUMMARY:Gov. Holcomb announces nearly $30 million Next Level Trails grant a
 wards
URL;VALUE=URI:https://events.in.gov/event/gov_holcomb_announces_nearly_30_m
 illion_next_level_trails_grant_awards
CATEGORIES:Press Releases
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