The Next Level Trails program has been cut out of the proposed new state budget.
Next Level Trails has invested $180 million in developing trails statewide since 2018. It was part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Connections program, which sought to invest in infrastructure and quality of life.
The proposed state budget for 2025-2027 does not allocate any funding to the Next Level Trails program.
Gov. Mike Braun told state agencies to cut their budgets by 5 percent across the board. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources was no exception.
Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski, who was appointed by Braun, testified in front of the state Senate appropriations committee March 13.
Jaworowski said the administration is trying to “drive home efficiency” without harming its programs or the needs of Hoosiers.
“We want to maintain and have nice trails, but we can't do it at the expense of taxpayer dollars,” Jaworowski said.
Forty-two of the 89 projects funded through NLT are complete. Seventeen are still under construction.
A DNR spokesperson said in an email all 89 granted projects will be completed with funds from previous state budgets.
“To date, 42 of the 89 projects funded through Next Level Trails are complete, representing 115.3 miles of trail,” DNR spokesperson Marty Benson said in an emailed statement.
“Seventeen new trail projects are currently under construction through support of Next Level Trails, and all 89 granted projects will be completed with the support of these existing funds.”
That includes the Monon South trail project, which will run over 60 miles through five counties in southern Indiana when complete. The first section opened in Orleans in December. It will be the longest recreational trail in the state.
