Local governments and nonprofit groups in nearly 40 communities across Indiana are getting money to help build out trail systems.

Indiana has awarded nearly $30 million to communities and nonprofit groups for construction of 70 miles of new trails Gov. Eric Holcomb says will boost local tourism and economic development.

The first mile of a trail that will connect Indiana to the cross-country Great American Rail-Trail has been dedicated in Northwest Indiana. When completed, the Veterans Memorial Trail in Lake County will link the town of Hebron to the city of Crown Point.