Blackford County Approves $189,350 Salt Shed for Highway Department

From the Blackford County Commissioner meeting on May 4, 2026

Commissioners approved a new salt storage shed for the Blackford County Highway Department at a cost of $189,350 from CHC, choosing it over a lower bid of $174,440 from Greystone Construction.

Highway Superintendent John Plummer and foreman Dave presented both options. CHC was selected for better construction quality — hot-dip galvanized square tubing versus round — along with better customer service and a locked-in price. CHC's bid includes roughly $10,940 in tariff contingency that will be refunded if actual tariff costs come in lower. Greystone did not include tariff protection, meaning its price could increase.

The new shed will provide approximately five times the storage capacity of the current facility and will allow separate storage for straight salt, mixed salt, and sand. The highway department budgeted for the project last year.

Site preparation is partially complete using free materials — asphalt millings from the transfer station and stone from a local wind project.

Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County Commissioner Meeting, May 4, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.