Bartholomew County is onboard with an effort to help pay for an overpass into downtown Columbus. The county council signed off on a plan last night to give $2 million dollars toward the project.

There was some concerns over who was actually paying what for the estimated $30 million dollar project. Although INDOT has said it will pay for half of the project, County Council member Bill Lentz pointed out that money was really mostly federal funds. And while Cummins has been credited with agreeing to provide part of the funding, that money is actually coming from property taxes the company has paid into a Tax Increment Financing District at the Cummins plant on Central Avenue.

Mayor Jim Lienhoop said that there has been some confusion over CUmmins contribution, as it was announced at the same time the company announced its investment in its downtown headquarters. The mayor also praised the CSX and Louisville and Indiana Railroads for agreeing to make a substantial contribution, because they are under no obligation to do so.

The county will contribute money toward the project from funds set aside by the county commissioners for telecommunications and from income taxes earmarked for economic development.