Salem and other local communities will be receiving a portion of nearly $80 Million going to rural communities for Infrastructure Improvements. The Projects will Improve Roads and Bridges, Make Communities More Walkable and Bikeable.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced today that nearly $80 million in federal transportation funding is being awarded to 64 cities, towns, and counties in rural portions of Indiana to invest in local road and bridge improvements as well as sidewalk and trail projects.

Combined with local funds, almost $135 million is being invested in infrastructure in communities receiving funds.

“Over the last decade, Indiana has demonstrated a commitment to investing in infrastructure that is nearly unmatched,” Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb said.

“Modern roads and bridges keep commerce moving at the speed of the 21st-century economy and sidewalks and trails help create the sense of place that sparks vibrant communities which attract businesses and talent to the Hoosier state.”

For the first time, INDOT has set aside a portion of the funds awarded, approximately $5 million, to sidewalk improvements in rural communities.

The new sidewalk program for smaller communities is part of INDOT’s “Common Paths” initiative. Common Paths unifies and implements the agency’s transportation programs and policies regarding planning and design, including Complete Streets, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Also, INDOT is investing $2.5 million each year improving crosswalks and other sidewalk infrastructure along state highways in both rural and urban communities.

INDOT dedicates approximately 25 percent of its federal highway funds to supporting local projects each year. Metropolitan Planning Organizations distribute those funds to cities, towns, and counties within the state’s larger urbanized areas while INDOT distributes funds outside MPO areas.

Communities must pay at least 20 percent in local matching funds and meet other federal requirements to receive federal funding.

For this latest round of funding, rural communities will design, develop and purchase land for projects that would be bid during the fiscal year beginning July 2020. While the funds awarded now are dedicated to construction, INDOT will be financially participating in design, engineering, and right of way acquisition components of these projects.

A list of all communities receiving funds is online at www.in.gov/indot/3581.htm

Rural communities were invited to submit project applications to INDOT for potential funding during a call for projects announced in March 2016.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is now accepting applications for the livestock promotion and market development grants to foster growth within the Hoosier livestock industry.

Applications are due by December 1, 2016.

“Indiana’s livestock sector continues to be a driving force for food production and has a major impact on our state and local economies,” said Ted McKinney, ISDA Director. “These grants create growth opportunities within the industry and allow livestock organizations to have a greater impact in Indiana through the development of educational programs, promotional events or projects to increase our processing and production capabilities.”

Educational programs, livestock shows/exhibitions, conventions and similar events and projects are eligible to apply for livestock promotion funding. The market development grant provides funding for value-added feasibility studies, research projects, market development and other projects that encourage the development of business and industry related to livestock production, processing and distribution.

Both the livestock promotion and market development grants will reimburse up to 50 percent of the amount spent to conduct or support the projects, programs and events outlined in each of the grants.

The grants are open to non-profit organizations, commissions and associations with 501(c) status involving the following livestock species: cattle, swine, sheep, equine, goats, poultry, camelids, ostriches, cervidae, bison, aquaculture and rabbits.

All grant applications should be sent electronically to Kimmi Devaney at KDevaney@isda.in.gov byDecember 1, 2016. Award winners will be announced February 1, 2017. Applications are available at www.in.gov/isda/2474.htm. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.

In 2016, $127,000 dollars were awarded to 15 organizations by ISDA to foster growth in the livestock industry throughout Indiana.

The annual Orleans Fall Fun Fest in the Park will be  Sat., October 8, 2016 in Historic Congress Square (Town Park).

A host of fun fall family type activities and special events are planned for downtown Orleans on this Saturday including the following:

PHOTO EXHIBIT @ Chamber Welcome Center (north side of square)

• *Special Exhibit featuring the works of local photographers Katlin Percifield and Cindy Cornett Seigle. Come see the heart and soul of Indiana’s past and present as seen through the camera lenses of these two talented artists.
• 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. OC HomeGrown Orleans Farmers Market

Congress Square Appreciation Day

• Fresh produce, hand crafted items, Buck a Book, Fall décor, Doodles the Clown Face Painting. (West side of Square)

OC Homegrown 5K run/walk

• Registration begins at 9 a.m. with race starting at 10 a.m. Event begins from Orleans Jr.-Sr. High School

9 a.m. First Ever Pet Photo Scavenger Hunt. 

Sponsored by Kirk Veterinary Service

• Contestants operate as individual groups with their pet and go around town taking
• pictures of themselves (including their pet) with various items.  The groups will meet at Kirk Veterinary (located on the S. Side of Town Square) at 9 am to pick up the information packets and pay the registration fee.  There will be a $2.00 fee for each group to participate.  Groups will have 2 hours to complete their task and return to our office.  We will ask that all pictures be e-mailed to us and we will pick a winner out of the groups.  The prize will be a thermal tote full of goodies for them and their pet.

9:30 a.m. Great Chamber Chili Cook-off @ Town Hall (Community Room)

• (Bring your best chili recipe, 1 quart of hot soup in crock pot)
• Entries accepted from 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. Judging @ 9:30 a.m.

10 a.m.-? Tri Kappa Harvest Corner (Town Park)

• Pecans, Carmel Apples, Cupcakes, Sugar Cookies

Children activities, Decorate your own Pumpkin.

11:00 a.m. Free Lunchtime Concert in the Park-Lick Creek Band (Bicentennial Stage near basketball court)

11:00 a.m.-? Food served (north side of square)

• Orange Co Cattlemen’s Assoc Steak Sandwiches, drinks & more
• OHS Jr. After Prom Parents will be serving up
• Creek Bank Potatoes. (While they last)
• Orleans Municipal Fire Burger Burn (near ball court)
• Hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks
• Indiana Trailblazers 12U Team Fundraiser
• Sloppy Joes, Coneys, Hot Dogs, Chips & Drinks

12 Noon to? Corn Hole Tourney sponsored by

• Orleans Municipal Fire Department (Ball Court)
• Please register by 11:30 a.m. $10 per team
• Arts & Crafts in the Park

Phi Beta Psi Autumn Sweet Table

• Homemade baked goods, hot mulled cider, prize drawings
• Paint in the Park Demonstration
• Mum & Pumpkin Sale by Pat’s Plants @ Bandstand

Here is a different view of the square when former President Benjamin Harrison visited Salem, in 1896, campaigning for presidential elect, William McKinley.

This photo comes from Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott.