Gov. Holcomb, INDOT award more than $133 million through Community Crossings grant program

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces northbound and southbound lane closures on I-65 from MM 64 to MM 68, between Walesboro and Columbus.

Starting tonight, April 12, crews will begin work performing pavement corrections and removing sections of the temporary barrier wall. Nightly operations are expected to begin at 9 p.m. and last until 6 a.m., seven days a week, and be completed by the end of April. 

All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Additional Projects Coming at Lake and Around Salem

Salem Mayor Justin Green unveiled two new art projects that will be on display at Lake Salina and help secure the area as a destination location around Southern Indiana.

Green also discussed future plans that include the addition of about 20 campsites with electric hookup, a new bathhouse and a kayak launch. 

The bath house which will complement the grounds with a dual sided restroom/bath facility that will promote many more activities at the lake.

This addition will drive more visitors to the area by promoting Lake Salinda as a destination.

The City of Salem is also preparing about 20 campsites that will have electricity. 

Green said they are working to make more amenities available to the public – including permanent gaming tables, corn hole boards and a possible use for the old pump house located near the entrance to the lake property.

Lake Salinda currently has walking trails, a mountain bike trail and fishing and kayaking open to the public. 

With READI dollars, this under-utilized property is becoming a great asset for Washington County, said Green. 

This project is anticipated to draw visitors from neighboring counties and impact the local economy.

A total of 38 new direct and indirect jobs with $178,428 in new wages are expected, along with an economic output of $1.8 million and $430,750 in new tax revenue.

The art art installations, collaboratively designed and installed by Washington County residents and Indiana University faculty and students.

Students in the IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program and the ServeDesign Center, under the leadership of faculty member Jeeyea Kim, partnered with the City of Salem, the Washington County Community Foundation and Salem High School students to understand the regional culture and heritage of Salem and Lake Salinda.

Inspired by that exploration, IU students designed two public art installations to attract more visitors and build upon the City of Salem’s plans for expanded recreation at the lake.

Kim worked with Brittain Brewer, fellow faculty member and co-director of the ServeDesign Center to prepare the designs for fabrication, sign on McIntyre Brothers Construction and collaborate for successful fabrication and installation.

The project is supported by the IU Center for Rural Engagement’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities partnership with Washington County.

“Revival,” a metal and acrylic structure designed by Alyssa Bullock and Jess Novitski, mimics a quilt pattern. Transparent panels, evoking the look of stained glass, feature colors inspired by the Salem downtown landscape.

Visitors can enjoy peaceful views and sounds of the water from the “Revival” setting.

This art is on display near the old Pump House parking lot, west of the dam. 

“A Common Link” is an interactive sculpture featuring metal linked strands that invite visitors to interact and celebrate the community’s connections.

Designed by Rachel Staley and Kayley Adams, “A Common Link” is inspired by Salem’s quilting heritage, featuring brightly colored patterns across metal link drapery that complements the beauty of Lake Salinda’s scenery.

This location is east of the dam. 

Fabrication was led by the McIntyre Bros. team of Jeff McIntyre, Kurt Vorhies and Jase Gratzer.

Thanks to participation in the regional Our Southern Indiana READI initiative, Salem and Washington County residents will enjoy new outdoor amenities, the area will grow thanks to a housing development and economic development will be enhanced through airport improvements.

Washington County received funding to be utilized in three areas – Lake Salinda, Shelby Street housing and Salem Municipal Airport. The private-public funding for these projects totals several millions.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our city, county and region,” said Mayor Justin Green. “It became clear in the past decade or so that a regional approach to economic development was far more beneficial than individual efforts. The state recognized this in launching READI.”

READI (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) was launched several years ago by the state to accelerate economic development. Collaboration among counties, cities and towns was encouraged to create partnerships to develop projects intended to both retain talent and attract new workers.

Washington County is part of the regional Our Southern Indiana which also includes Clark, Floyd, Jefferson and Scott counties. 

The effort was led by Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority, comprised by a board that includes representatives from each county. John Jones represents Washington County on the RDA board. The READI plan involves a multitude of projects touching many areas, such as housing, recreation, education, utilities and economic development. The entire project will create 693 new housing units, increasing the population by 1,794 and resulting in more than $105 million in economic output.

A total of $1 billion in a combination of public and private funds are being utilized with an estimated 13,100 new direct and indirect jobs expected to be created and an additional economic output of $662 million. The projects across the five counties are also expected to result in 58,000 new residents.

“These projects will transform this region, paving the way for new opportunities in many different areas for residents,” said Mayor Green. “Quality of life will be enhanced, and economies will grow because of these investments. I’m so grateful our city and county are involved in this effort. It will truly change our future.”

Other Salem/Washington County’s projects are:

• Salem Municipal Airport Hangar & Fueling Improvements. This project will complete critical landslide improvements in conjunction with a runway extension project funded through the FAA. The project will help drive economic development through improvements to hangar spaces, a fixed Jet-A fuel point and extension of utilities, including water, sanitary sewer and drainage improvements.

The project is expected to result in nearly $1.8 million in economic output, $154,086 in new tax revenue, 12 new direct and indirect jobs with $645,445 in total new wages.

• Workforce Housing – Infrastructure & Property Acquisition. The City of Salem is partnering with the Charlestown, Jeffersonville and Madison in this regional effort to provide investment in public infrastructure and land acquisition to support both single and multi-family housing units. It will utilize $105,649,605 in private development funds plus $4.8 million in local government funds.

In Washington County, a $9.7 million development is planned on 29 acres on North Shelby Street in Salem. This will include at least 15 single-family housing units for middle-income families.

The entire project will create 693 new housing units, increasing the population by 1,794 and resulting in more than $105 million in economic output.

Three from Salem recently entered plea agreements on drug-related charges and have each been sentenced to serve a total of 35 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, announced Washington County Prosecutor Tara Hunt.

The three – Larry D. McKinney, Aubrey L. Baer and James McKinley – were all sentenced in Washington Superior Court. 

“We continue to relentlessly work to address the issue of illegal drugs in our community and these three convictions are evidence of the importance of this effort,” said Prosecutor Hunt. “Removing drug dealers from the streets absolutely has an impact and affects public safety.”

McKinney, 46, Salem, was sentenced in Washington Superior Court after entering a plea agreement in February to a Level 2 felony charge of dealing in methamphetamine.

McKinney was sentenced to 11 years with one year suspected to be served in the IDOC. He will receive credit for a total of 1,914 days for time served and credit days. Following his release, McKinney will be on probation for one year. He must also complete the Alcohol and Drug Services Program.

McKinney was arrested in April 2019 when deputies responded to a report of a man who was unconscious inside a running vehicle. McKinney, the man inside, was found to be in possession of a handgun, 15 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. McKinney did not have a license for the gun and was driving while suspended.

Baer, 31, Baird Boulevard, Salem, pled guilty to dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, and theft, a Level 6 felony.

She was sentenced to 17 years with two suspended on the dealing charge with 15 years executed and one year with no time suspended on the theft charge. The counts will be served concurrently (back to back) in the IDOC. She will receive credit for 932 days previously served.

Following her release, Baer will be on probation for two years and is required to complete the Alcohol and Drug Services Program.

Baer was arrested in March 2021 after police responded to a call from Walmart regarding a suspected shoplifting incident. A search of her belongings revealed a large amount of methamphetamine along with several other drugs and paraphernalia.

McKinley, 29, Theresa Street, Salem, entered a plea agreement on a Level 6 felony of possession of methamphetamine and two Level 4 felony charges of dealing methamphetamine. On those charges he was sentenced to a total of 12 years with three years suspended. Following his release, he must serve three years probation.

McKinley was arrested in August 2021 at his residence. He was found to be in possession of a total of 11 grams of methamphetamine on two separate occasions.

“I also want to commend our officers with the Salem City Police and Washington County Sheriff’s Department,” said Prosecutor Hunt. “Good police work is the first step to addressing this ongoing battle against drugs and our officers are all committed to this.”