BROWNSTOWN — Brownstown Town Council recently approved a contract with a Seymour paving firm to improve Poplar Street south from Vallonia Road to Cummins Street.

The project, to be completed by All Star Paving Inc., will be funded with $375,817.32 from the state’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program combined with 25% in matching funds from the town.

All Star Paving’s bid was $411,596.40, which is below the engineer’s estimate of $545,244. Other contractors and their bids for the project were Milestone Contractors LLP, Columbus, $524,450, and Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc., North Vernon, $447,139.

The council plans to use some of the revenue that has been accumulating in the town’s motor vehicle highway and local streets and roads funds to pay the match, which includes the bill for engineer and design service from FPBH Inc., North Vernon. Grant funds cannot be used for design and engineering services.

The project, slated to be complete by Nov. 1, includes some widening and drainage work.

Brownstown was one of 188 communities to receive matching funds in the 2023 fall call for projects.