Michiana Area Council of Governments

09/15/2026

We want to introduce you to today's AmeriCorps at MACOG Featured Member!

Chrystal Hernes was a member of MACOG’s AmeriCorps cohort serving with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. This summer, she was able to assist in their water quality testing program and help with the volunteer and in-house testing program, along with making updates to the website.

Learn more about Chrystal here >> https://www.macog.com/news/americorps-featured-members-chrystal-hernes
Interest Form >> https://www.cognitoforms.com/MACOG/AmeriCorpsAtMACOGInterestForm

09/14/2026

Happy Monday!
It is important to be extra cautious while driving in and around school zones. If you are a pedestrian or a driver dropping off or picking up a child from school, here are a few tips to ensure "Safety in the Drop-off Zone."

09/11/2026

How would you rate our region’s public transportation? 🚌

We are gathering insights for the Michiana on the Move: 2055 Transportation Plan, and early survey results highlight some clear areas where you’d like to see improvement. Regarding the frequency of bus service, 9% of respondents rated it as good while 46% rated it as poor. For amenities at bus stops—including shelters, benches, sidewalks, and lighting—only 5% rated them as good compared to 44% who rated them as poor. Additionally, for the frequency of passenger rail, 19% rated it as good and 44% rated it as poor.

We need more input to get a complete picture of our region's needs. Please take a moment to share your input and let us know what matters to you! https://engage.macog.com/LRTP/survey

09/10/2026

✍️💲

Indiana DNR Community & Urban Forestry Grant Opportunities - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for two Community & Urban Forestry grant opportunities that support projects to protect, expand, and improve Indiana's urban tree canopy. The Community & Urban Forestry Assistance (CUFA) Grant provides $1,000–$30,000 for projects such as tree planting, tree inventories, ordinance development, management plans, invasive species replacement, and education. Communities with a population of 10,000 or less may also apply for the Small Town Big Trees Grant, which offers $500–$5,000 for similar community forestry projects, including tree planting, inventories, ordinance updates, management plans, and community engagement. Both grant programs require a 1:1 local match, and applications are due September 11, 2026. https://loom.ly/FSbmIT4

Community Crossing Matching Grant (CCMG) - INDOT Call for projects for the State FY 2027 Community Crossings Program is now open and will close on September 30, 2026, at 5 pm ET. This call is expected to recur every September moving forward. Local Public Agencies that received lane mile distribution funding on June 30, 2026, are eligible to apply only for the difference between that amount and the $1 million cap. Furthermore, all 2024-1 and 2024-2 projects must have been closed out by August 31, 2026, and any owed CCMG funds must be repaid to remain eligible for future funding. You can find complete program information on INDOT’s Local Public Agency Programs website. https://loom.ly/nl84mCc

FY 2027-2033 MACOG Call for Projects - Each year, MACOG is allocated federal transportation funding from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to be distributed between the South Bend & Elkhart-Goshen Urbanized Areas. MACOG is currently soliciting project applications from any City, Town, County, or Transit Agency within the urbanized area through October 12. More information related to eligible projects, project evaluation, and application forms will be available at https://loom.ly/cYoCMos

For more details or assistance with an application, feel free to reach out to MACOG!

09/09/2026

The September Policy Board meeting is today, Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 am.

Members of the public are invited to attend either:
In-Person: Mishawaka City Hall, 2nd Floor (100 Lincoln Way, Mishawaka, IN 46544)
Online: Via YouTube live stream https://www.youtube.com/live/dBgt7VQixzk?si=KiPV6MyEC5j_7bsN

Find the agenda, live stream link, and public comment details on our engagement webpage: https://engage.macog.com/policy-board

The Michiana Area Council of Governments September 2026 Policy Boar...

09/08/2026

Let's talk transportation!
We want to hear from you about how you move around the region, what transportation issues impact your daily lives, and what factors you are thinking about for the future of transportation.

Provide your input to help shape the future of our transportation network! https://engage.macog.com/LRTP/survey

There are many ways to provide input for the Michiana on the Move: 2055 Transportation Plan

09/08/2026

Transpo will implement route and schedule modifications beginning today, Tuesday, September 8. https://loom.ly/HkAijE0
To help passengers adjust to the changes, Transpo will offer free fares for a limited time, from Tuesday, September 8, through Saturday, September 12, 2026. Detailed information about the route and schedule modifications is available here: https://loom.ly/qqYhbdI

South Bend Transpo is changing some routes and schedules due to funding challenges tied to Senate Enrolled Act 1.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

We are out of the office today but will be back tomorrow, September 8.

09/06/2026

A quiet drive home can turn loud fast. Skip the sirens, get a sober ride home. 🚨 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.