Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner recently announced 18 Hoosier communities and nonprofit organizations will receive a combined $29.6 million for 70 miles of new trail development.

The funding is a part of the second round of the Next Level Trails program.

In this round of funding, Vernon Township in Jennings County will be the recipient of a $1,086,100 grant.

The money will go toward the historic Vernon to Muscatatuck Park Trail to build 1.25 miles of new trail consisting of two contiguous but distinct segments in Vernon. Also being constructed will be a half-mile natural-surface mountain bike and hiking trail that will connect Vernon to Vernon Commons, a historic park.

The Jennings County Parks and Recreation Department and Jennings County Community Foundation are included as partners for the use of grant money.

DNR received second-round applications for 62 projects in 36 counties, requesting a total of more than $93 million for more than 158 proposed miles of hiking, biking and riding trails. This total included 20 new applications and 42 returning applications from the first round.

Next Level Trails is part of Holcomb’s $1 billion Next Level Connections infrastructure program, which accelerates the completion of major highway projects, expands access to rural broadband services and pursues the expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.

For information about Next Level Trails and the upcoming third round of funding, visit on.in.gov/nextleveltrails.