Redevelopment commission commits $600,000 to match state CCMG paving grant

The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission voted Sept. 8 to commit up to $600,000 as a local match for the state's Community Crossings Matching Grant (CCMG), a program that doubles local paving investment when a qualifying match is provided.

City staff explained that the CCMG matches local paving dollars (typically a dollar-for-dollar match) and that the commission's commitment will be combined with motor-vehicle highway (MVH) funds to increase the city's pavement capacity. Staff said the grant program uses PACER road ratings to prioritize segments that qualify; only roads rated below certain thresholds typically qualify for CCMG.

Commissioners agreed the matching funds are an efficient use of redevelopment resources and asked staff to ensure striping and durable markings are included in pavement planning. Staff noted that long stretches of striping may be more practical for a contractor than for the city street department to paint and that modern low-VOC paint is more costly and sometimes less durable than older materials.

The commission approved the $600,000 commitment by voice vote with no recorded nays. Staff said specific roads to be included in the grant application had not yet been finalized and that staff will overlay PACER ratings with TIF boundaries to ensure qualifying segments fall within the redevelopment district where required.

The match positions the city to receive an equivalent amount in state CCMG funds to expand local paving and related striping projects. Staff will return with a list of candidate streets and final grant application details as they are prepared.