Sarah, Author at Region3A

Services Overview

Sarah on September 25, 2019

We have recently redesigned our website to include more information on our services. As a reminder, here you can find an overview of our mission and the areas of focus in regional collaboration.

Region III-A operates under the Regional Planning Commission statute of the Indiana Code (I.C. 36-7-7) as a regional unit of government. A 32-member Board of Directors appointed by the counties, cities, and towns located within its service area governs the organization.

Area Services Overview

Region III-A serves an area which includes Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, and Whitley counties in Northeast Indiana. There are similar organizations within the State of Indiana covering approximately two-thirds of the state’s 92 counties.

Region III-A concentrates its efforts in four primary activities:

Economic Development
Community Development
Transportation
Housing Programs

Activities within the four primary areas above are generally confined to long-term planning, technical assistance, and wide-ranging support for efforts at the local level.

If you would like more information, contact us today.

Transportation Grant Programs

Sarah on September 25, 2019

Our transportation department works to improve local road conditions and offers the resources needed for transportation grant planning.

We’ve added information on some available grants. Find all of the details on these programs under the Transportation Grant Opportunities section of the website.

Community Crossing Matching Grant

A partnership between INDOT and Hoosier communities, both urban and rural, to invest in infrastructure projects that catalyze economic development, create jobs, and strengthen local transportation networks.

Local Public Agency Programs Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) issues a project call for local rural projects. Funding is available for PLA’s interested in any type of new project including: bridge, road, safety, sidewalk or any type of project that is eligible under the federal transportation highway bill (FAST Act).

Local Tax Matching Grant

The rail overpass program provides grants to cities, towns and counties bodies for grade separation, crossing closure and other safety enhancement projects at rail-highway intersections on local roads.

Funding for this program is provided through changes in HEA 1002 effective July, 2017.

Highway Safety Improvement Program

The program provides remediation for six types of accidents. The countermeasures are detailed in the Indiana Strategic Highway Plan (SHSP). This program applies to areas that display a higher than normal rate of fatal and incapacitating injury accidents.

Safe Routes to School

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) administers the Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS). This program provides for the construction and/or improvement of sidewalks that lead to schools. program has been combined with the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

Site Certified and Getting “Shovel Ready”

Sarah on September 25, 2019

Having a property listed as “site certified” lets potential developers know that the space is suitable for building commercial space. The result brings more jobs to the area. As such, it’s our mission to help communities get shovel ready to make the space more marketable and advance economic development in the area.

Indiana Site Certified

The Indiana Site Certified program designates sites that are ready for economic development. Communities of any size may apply for the designation.

Indiana recognizes three tiers of readiness: Silver, Gold, and Prime.

The Silver tier defines boundaries with a clear title, establishes a price, demonstrates executive level local government support, defines utility capacity and distance, and provides documentation such as Phase I environmental assessment, ALTA, topographical, and property layout.
The Gold tier builds upon Silver by requiring a minimum of 20 contiguous acres, a location no more than 5 miles from a state highway, a completed geo tech study, a seismic hazard map, proper zoning, a desktop archaeological investigation, utilities be located to the property line or future build be located in public right-of-way, and area be free from recognized environment concerns.
The Prime tier builds upon Gold by requiring 30 contiguous acres, a location no more than 2.5 miles from a state highway, and an archaeological investigation. In addition, the LUG, LEDO or REDO must own the property or an option must be held with the owner.

Application

Applications for certification are accepted on a rolling basis. Region 3-A can help you prepare and gather resources to help become Site Certified.