Michiana Area Council of Governments

The April Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) meeting will be on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 9:00 am. The meeting will be live-streamed. You can find the agenda ahead of time on our website at https://lnkd.in/eNFyUX9. If you have any public comments regarding items on the TTAC meeting agenda please contact us before the meeting. Public comment will also be available during the Livestream. Members of the public are invited to view the April 2 meeting live on YouTube https://loom.ly/fn3B144 or by joining in person at the Mishawaka City Hall, 2nd Floor.

Happy #FactFriday! Our 2024 Annual Review is available to view! We are thrilled to showcase the exciting work that our staff has accomplished throughout the past year. From innovative projects to groundbreaking initiatives, their efforts have not only strengthened our organization but have also paved the way for a brighter future for our Region. 2024 was a very successful year for our transportation department and for today's #FactFriday we would like to highlight their accomplishments! ????? Be sure to check out the full report at https://loom.ly/S2Ly7f4

Want to join the MACOG team? We have a job opportunity! MACOG is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the Director of Regional Housing Collaborative. This is a rare opportunity to spearhead transformative housing initiatives, backed by a $20 million investment from Lilly Endowment Inc. in partnership with the Community Foundations in our region. This investment will drive the creation of a Regional Land Bank and a Regional Attainable Housing Investment Fund (RAHIF), reshaping the future of housing attainability and community revitalization across the region. If you or someone you know is ready to take on a leadership role that will shape the future of housing in Northern Indiana, we invite you to apply and be part of this exciting new chapter for MACOG. LinkedIn >> https://lnkd.in/g66g8u8u MACOG website >> https://lnkd.in/eXjgBqZ

#GrantOpportunity ???? The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) has opened applications for the first round of the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Construction Grant. This funding supports capital improvements addressing critical community development needs, including wastewater and drinking water improvements, stormwater management, public facilities, and blight clearance. Eligible applicants include non-entitlement cities, counties, and incorporated towns. The process consists of two stages: a Proposal (due April 17) and a Full Application (due June 20). Grant awards range from $500,000 to $750,000, with match requirements varying by program. An OCRA-certified grant administrator is required to assist with the application process. https://loom.ly/-9RwjcI ???? The CreatINg Places program, offered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) in partnership with Patronicity, provides matching funds for community-driven placemaking projects. This “crowdgranting” model allows communities to raise funds through online donations, which IHCDA then matches—doubling the impact of local fundraising efforts. Eligible projects include streetscape improvements, public plazas, parks, trails, playgrounds, community markets, and more. Local governments and nonprofits can apply, and projects must have a minimum budget of $10,000. IHCDA will match funds raised on Patronicity dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but campaigns should be planned at least two months in advance. https://loom.ly/Eq9W0aE ???? Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program NOFO - The USDOT's Build America Bureau has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $27 million in no-match grants under the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis, and applications close on Thursday, April 17, 2025. This funding opportunity is designed to help rural and tribal communities advance infrastructure projects by providing support for pre-development activities. Eligible communities include all our region outside of the South Bend urbanized area. https://loom.ly/lNY3UQs For more details or assistance with an application feel free to reach out to MACOG’s Community Development Team!

We are excited that spring is officially here! Happy #HumpdayHaiku!

MACOG is assisting Kosciusko Area Bus Service (KABS) with planning a new Deviated Fixed-Route bus line in Warsaw and Winona Lake. #NewsdayTuesday There will be a public meeting today, March 25, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Warsaw Community Library to provide feedback. https://loom.ly/99yasic

Consequences of ???? speeding: - Getting an expensive ticket ?? from local law enforcement. ?? - Increased risk of a crash ????, severe injury, ?? or death ??. ?? Always obey speed limits. #DriveSafwMichiana

?? Join us for an Open House today! ?? From 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce in Elkhart, stop by and learn more about the draft State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) as well as share your comments! To view the draft plans ahead of time, visit engage.macog.com! If you can't make it to this Open House, join us on April 2, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM in the City of South Bend at the St. Joseph County Public Library, Community Learning Center, Beutter-Kernan Hall.

Happy #FactFriday! ?? 12 miles separate the Mishawaka Riverwalk Trail and Elkhart's Mapleheart Trail. Connecting these two trails will allow people to travel from Niles, Michigan to Shipshawana in LaGrange County, a distance of nearly 60 miles, all on trail. This tremendous addition to the Crossway Trails system is being studied by MACOG in 2025 Making this project need was identified through multiple surveys and public input sessions as the number one priority connection between these two trail systems. ?? MACOG recently released a Crossway Trails Condition Report presenting the surface conditions and trailside amenities of the existing trails in the MACOG four-county region of St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, and Kosciusko. Check it out here >> https://loom.ly/81enc4A

#GrantOpportunity ???? The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is opened applications for the first round of the 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Construction Grant. This funding supports capital improvements addressing critical community development needs, including wastewater and drinking water improvements, stormwater management, public facilities, and blight clearance. Eligible applicants include non-entitlement cities, counties, and incorporated towns. The process consists of two stages: a Proposal (due April 17) and a Full Application (due June 20). Grant awards range from $500,000 to $750,000, with match requirements varying by program. An OCRA-certified grant administrator is required to assist with the application process. https://loom.ly/-9RwjcI ???? The CreatINg Places program, offered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) in partnership with Patronicity, provides matching funds for community-driven placemaking projects. This “crowdgranting” model allows communities to raise funds through online donations, which IHCDA then matches—doubling the impact of local fundraising efforts. Eligible projects include streetscape improvements, public plazas, parks, trails, playgrounds, community markets, and more. Local governments and nonprofits can apply, and projects must have a minimum budget of $10,000. IHCDA will match funds raised on Patronicity dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but campaigns should be planned at least two months in advance. https://loom.ly/Eq9W0aE ???? Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program NOFO - The USDOT's Build America Bureau has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $27 million in no-match grants under the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. Applications are accepted on a first-come first-served basis, and applications close on Thursday, April 17, 2025. This funding opportunity is designed to help rural and tribal communities advance infrastructure projects by providing support for pre-development activities. Eligible communities include all our region outside of the South Bend urbanized area. https://loom.ly/lNY3UQs For more details or assistance with an application feel free to reach out to MACOG’s Community Development Team!