INDOT program to attract new businesses to state

The Indiana Department of Transportation recently allocated $18.3 million in an effort to beautify Indiana's highways, greenways and walkways.\nThis money will allow communities in 31 Indiana counties to improve streetscapes, lighting and landscape beauty. The counties cannot use the funds for actual highway projects, including resurfacing and new road construction.\nCommunities will now be able to improve their neighborhoods and attract investment while improving the state's economic growth, Lt. Governor Kathy Davis said in a press release.\n"Now, communities across the state have resources to improve their neighborhoods," Davis said.\nIndianapolis, which received two of the 35 Transportation Enhancement awards, will use the money for the White River South Greenway Trail and Washington Street's Corridor Project, according to the governor's press release. Gov. Joe Kernan hopes these grants will be able to attract new businesses and create investment in the state.\n"The high quality of life is one thing businesses mention when they decide to locate their companies in our state," Kernan said in a press release. "This $18 million investment will bring an added vitality and beauty to our communities."\nPeterson has also been working very closely with the state to bring jobs to Indianapolis. Last month, Indianapolis lost 6,900 jobs and ranked 211th in job creation among 274 metropolitan areas across the country. The circle city and its neighboring counties make up 1/3 of the jobs in Indiana, The Indianapolis Star reported in a Sept. 6 article.\n"The city has been putting the building blocks in place for a strong future," said Jo Lynn Garing, press secretary for Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson's office. "For example, Biocrossroads is an initiative that focuses on making Central Indiana a life science hub. We are partnering with the private sector and public universities, including Indiana University, on this initiative."\nOther cities receiving the Transportation Enhancement awards include South Bend for its Historical Trolley Route Signage and Fort Wayne for its Urban Trails System. Brown County received one for the Salt Creek Trail, as well.\n-- Contact staff writer Jill Brooks at jimbrook@indiana.edu .