State sends almost $1 million to Howard County
State sends almost $1 million to Howard County
Matching grant designed to accelerate road, bridge improvements; also, Gravity holds anniversary ribbon cutting, 4C Health establishes scholarship at Ivy Tech
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More than $900,000 is headed to Howard County communities to accelerate road and bridge improvements, according to State Reps. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).
Karickhoff said the local funding from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program is for road and bridge preservation, road reconstruction, intersection improvements, guardrail replacements and signage, and can cover material costs for chip sealing and crack-filling operations. In total, 229 towns, cities and counties will receive over $119 million in state matching grants.
"With key economic development projects like the new electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Kokomo and the Marion Metal Center, these investments are critical to ensuring our roads keep up with area growth," Karickhoff said. "Updating our roads and bridges will help drive our economy and keep everyone on our roads safer."
Howard County received $323,812 and Greentown received $605,559.
VanNatter said smaller municipalities provide a 25 percent match in local funds, while large communities provide a 50 percent match. State law requires 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded annually to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. To date, Hoosier communities are on the receiving end of more than $1 billion in Community Crossings Matching Grants.
"This program is a game-changer for communities that may not be able to make infrastructure improvements otherwise," VanNatter said. "As Indiana continues investing in its future, we want to make sure every community is a part of our success."
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, which oversees and awards the grants, the next call for projects is expected in January. Awards are released two times a year. More information can be found at in.gov/indot/communitycrossings or by emailing LPAQuestions@indot.in.gov.
Gravity holds anniversary ribbon cutting
Five years ago, Gravity Trampoline Park opened its doors to Kokomo. Last week, the business hosted the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting marking the anniversary of the park.
The 18,000-square-foot facility features plenty of physical activities and games for those brave enough to bounce, while moms and dads can enjoy the Gravity Cafe or watch from the second-level viewing deck.
The trampoline park was opened by Shannon Anthony, former professional skater, in 2017
4C Health establishes Human Services scholarship at Ivy Tech
4C Health, a comprehensive non-profit behavioral health care provider that has served the communities of rural north central Indiana for more than 45 years, has established a scholarship fund to support students in the Human Services program at Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo Service Area.
“Many 4C Health employees, including me, got our start in human services with a community college,” said Carrie Cadwell, PsyD, 4C Health president and CEO. “The value of supporting students who are getting their educational start through a community college, like Ivy Tech, is immeasurable.
“We have a state and national behavioral health workforce shortage. In rural areas, even more so,” she continued. “Finding ways to develop students early on in their educational human services pathway is critical. Supporting local Ivy Tech human services students is an investment with the hope they stay local when their education is completed. We start this scholarship with the vision to grow it as we go forward.”
The scholarship opportunity will be available to students studying at a Kokomo Service Area campus or instructional site who reside in Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski or Tipton counties. Programs covered include the Human Services technical certificate and associate degrees, along with credential in Addictive Studies and Social Work. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.0 and may use the scholarship for tuition and fees.
The 4C Health Human Services Scholarship program will provide $1,000 in funding for the school years of 2023-24 and 2024-25. Application is made through the Ivy Tech scholarship application process and preference will be given to students who complete a student experience/practicum with 4C Health.
Kelly Karickhoff, executive director of resource development for Ivy Tech Kokomo, said scholarship funding donated by Ivy Tech’s community partners provides critical support for students, noting the scholarship funding by 4C Health fits right into Ivy Tech’s commitment to prepare students to help meet the needs of our communities.
“Ivy Tech works hard to keep tuition and related costs as low as possible for our students,” Karickhoff said. “A scholarship of several hundred dollars can be all that’s needed to allow a student with family and financial challenges to achieve success.”
For more information on scholarship funding opportunities at Ivy Tech, contact Karickhoff at kkarickhoff@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5501.
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