State Rep. Patterson Joins Eagle Country Morning Show to Talk Legislative Session

Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 10:44 AM

Patterson is determined to have the Whitewater Canal rehab project come to fruition.

State Rep. Lindsey Patterson.

(Brookville, Ind.) - State Rep. Lindsay Patterson joined the Eagle Country 99.3 Morning Show on Thursday to talk about the upcoming Legislative Session.

One of the primary topics on Rep. Patterson's mind is the Historic Whitewater Canal.

In April 2022, the Ben Franklin III Canal Boat was removed from the Whitewater Canal in Metamora for its five-year inspection. During the transportation to the administration parking lot, the front end of the boat cracked and broke off. The boat has been out of service ever since.

The Ben Franklin III. Photo by the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites.

Last year, Indiana's new two-year state budget included a $7 million matching grant for Metamora's Whitewater Canal rehabilitation efforts, which would include repairs to two locks, an aqueduct, dam, boat, dock and digging silt out of areas for renovation.

This morning, Rep. Patterson explained that total repairs would cost $14.4 million. She added that a boat would not be placed back in the canal until all repairs can be made.

Patterson indicated that the $7 million matching grant is going to be very difficult to match. Because you cannot match state and state funds, Patterson said she could go to the Means and Ways Committee to get the matching fund released so that she and other legislators could pursue the full $14.4 million in funding needed to complete the project.

"This rehab project is needed for the community," said Patterson.

The Indiana Legislative Session convenes on January 8.

For more info, visit https://iga.in.gov/

Ben Franklin III Canal Boat Falls Apart