Michiana Area Council of Governments

Michiana Area Council of Governments MACOG is a voluntary organization of local governments that studies and attempts to resolve areas of

  ✍️💲Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applic...
06/11/2026

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Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program, which supports projects that promote economic growth, entrepreneurship, and job creation in rural communities. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, cooperatives, higher education institutions, and federally recognized Tribes. Funding is available through two categories: Business Opportunity Grants, which support activities such as feasibility studies, strategic planning, leadership training, and business incubators; and Business Enterprise Grants, which can fund technical assistance, infrastructure improvements, equipment, revolving loan funds, and community economic development projects. There is no local match requirement, and smaller funding requests are prioritized. Applications are due June 15, 2026, for Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) projects and June 30, 2026, for all other applicants. https://loom.ly/eKlM-HE

The IDEM Community Recycling Grant Program (CRGP) is funded through the State Solid Waste Management Fund, which generates revenue through a 50¢ per ton surcharge fee at final disposal facilities within Indiana. Projects that can be funded under this program include education and promotion of recycling, source reduction, organics management (including yard waste management and composting), and household hazardous waste (HHW) collection and disposal. Eligible candidates may seek a grant ranging from $1,000 to $100,000, with a 25% required cash match. Grant applications will be accepted through June 18, 2026, and must be submitted via the link at https://loom.ly/e9Lvxmo.

FEMA recently announced three FY 2025 funding opportunities totaling more than $648 million to support fire departments, EMS organizations, and first responders nationwide. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program provides funding for personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency response vehicles, equipment, training, facility modifications, and responder health and resiliency initiatives designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities and improve firefighter safety. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program, which supports firefighter hiring, recruitment, retention, and staffing needs, particularly for volunteer and combination departments. In addition, the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program is available to support fire prevention initiatives and firefighter safety research projects. Applications for all three programs close June 22, 2026, with each opportunity requiring a separate application submission. https://loom.ly/lf0tGgY

MACOG Section 5310 Call for Projects - MACOG has opened the FY 2026 Section 5310 “Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities” Call for Projects for the South Bend Urbanized Area, with applications due by July 10, 2026. This grant opportunity is available to nonprofit organizations and public agencies that provide transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities within the South Bend Urbanized Area. Eligible projects may include the purchase of accessible vehicles to help improve mobility and expand transportation access for older adults and individuals with disabilities. MACOG will host an information session on June 23, 2026, to provide an overview of the program, review application requirements, and answer questions from interested applicants. Application materials and additional program information are available on the MACOG Section 5310 webpage. For more information or questions, please contact MACOG at: [email protected]. https://loom.ly/0PzA55c

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

The June Policy Board meeting is today, Wednesday, June 10, at 10:00 am.Members of the public are invited to attend eith...
06/10/2026

The June Policy Board meeting is today, Wednesday, June 10, 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/wBM1UQ21k8U?si=qgArOgbiRFzzSpCm

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 June 2026 Policy Board Mee...

Happy Tuesday! Today we have a new   to add to the series! MACOG recently welcomed James Luk to the team!At MACOG, James...
06/09/2026

Happy Tuesday! Today we have a new to add to the series! MACOG recently welcomed James Luk to the team!

At MACOG, James Luk will be the first to take on a new position as Land Bank Manager! He will oversee the land bank’s inventory, manage acquisition and disposition processes, and support community outreach efforts. We are excited to have him join the team!

Be sure to click the link below to read more about James! https://www.macog.com/news/james-luk-macog-staff-spotlight

Join us Tuesday, June 9, or Wednesday, June 10, for a listening session about the Rail Corridor Study focused on at-grad...
06/08/2026

Join us Tuesday, June 9, or Wednesday, June 10, for a listening session about the Rail Corridor Study focused on at-grade railroad crossings in eastern St. Joseph County. The listening sessions, led by consulting firm DLZ, will be held at Moran Elementary School in Osceola from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

https://loom.ly/Gb7TVDw

This study will evaluate safety improvements and alternatives for at-grade railroad crossings on Ash Road, Apple Road, Beech Road, and Cottage Grove Avenue.

A ticket is inconvenient. A crash is life changing. Buckle your seat belt every time. Click It or Ticket.
06/08/2026

A ticket is inconvenient. A crash is life changing. Buckle your seat belt every time. Click It or Ticket.

Looking for transportation information in the MACOG region?Our Transportation page was updated to make it easier to find...
06/05/2026

Looking for transportation information in the MACOG region?

Our Transportation page was updated to make it easier to find transportation plans, active transportation resources, transit information, safety data, traffic counts, and more.

See what's available, and explore the page for yourself! https://www.macog.com/transportation

The June Policy Board meeting is next Wednesday, June 10, at 10:00 am.Members of the public are invited to attend either...
06/05/2026

The June Policy Board meeting is next Wednesday, June 10, 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

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

Join us on June 9 or 10 for a listening session about the Rail Corridor Study focused on at-grade railroad crossings in ...
06/04/2026

Join us on June 9 or 10 for a listening session about the Rail Corridor Study focused on at-grade railroad crossings in eastern St. Joseph County. The listening sessions, led by consulting firm DLZ, will be held at Moran Elementary School in Osceola from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. https://engage.macog.com/rail-corridor-study

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release, May 11, 2026
Contact: Caitlin Stevens, Director of Transportation
[email protected] or (574) 287-1829 Ext. #501

MACOG and DLZ announce public listening sessions to be held for the Rail Corridor Study in eastern St. Joseph County

SOUTH BEND, IN – The Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), in partnership with St. Joseph County and Elkhart County, is pleased to announce two public listening sessions for the Rail Corridor Study focused on at-grade railroad crossings in eastern St. Joseph County. The listening sessions, led by consulting firm DLZ, will be held on June 9 and June 10, 2026, at Moran Elementary School (305 North Beech Road, Osceola, IN 46561) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Identical sessions will be held on both dates to provide flexible attendance options.

The Rail Corridor Study is evaluating safety improvements and potential alternatives for the at-grade railroad crossings located on Ash Road, Apple Road, Beech Road, and Cottage Grove Avenue. The study aims to identify solutions that enhance safety, improve mobility, and address community concerns along this corridor.
A previous study, conducted from 2023-2024, focused on a single crossing and evaluated large-scale infrastructure solutions. This new study builds on that foundation by looking at all key crossings together, evaluating a wider range of options, and prioritizing solutions that balance safety, reliability, and community impact.

At this phase of the Rail Corridor Study, public input is a critical component of the process. The listening sessions are designed to provide community members, stakeholders, and corridor users an opportunity to share their lived experiences, concerns, and perspectives related to these crossings. Feedback gathered during these sessions will help inform future recommendations and potential improvements. The study is expected to conclude in the Summer of 2027 and will provide additional opportunities for public engagement as the study progresses.
"The Norfolk Southern Line through Osceola is one of the busiest rail corridors in our region, and its impacts are felt every day by residents, commuters, and businesses along this corridor," said James Turnwald, Executive Director of MACOG. "These listening sessions are an important opportunity for the community to have a direct voice in shaping the future of these crossings."

“Community input is essential to ensuring that the outcomes of this study reflect the needs and priorities of those who use these crossings every day,” said Anthony Glenn, DLZ Project Manager. “We encourage residents and business owners to attend and share their experiences.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with project team members, share their comments, and learn more about the study process and next steps.
For more information about the Rail Corridor Study, including future updates and opportunities for input, please visit engage.macog.com/rail-corridor-study.
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About the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG):
The Michiana Area Council of Governments is a metropolitan planning commission serving Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph counties in northern Indiana. The voluntary organization of local governments studies and attempts to resolve, for the benefit of each member and the region, areas of interlocal issues, which includes but is not limited to transportation, transit, economic development, environment, and other issues that impact the region. To learn more, go to www.macog.com.

About DLZ:
A nationally recognized firm in the architectural, engineering, and surveying industry, DLZ is ranked as one of the top 150 consulting firms in the U.S. and the 14th largest in the Midwest. DLZ works on a wide range of project sizes for both public and private firms across the United States. https://alrt.se/u/81JRunsX4Ee

Address

227 W. Jefferson Boulevard 11th Floor County-City Building
South Bend, IN
46601

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15746748894

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