Millions poured into READI 2.0 program
An announcement from Governor Eric Holcomb last week caused excitement across Indiana when he noted that Southeast Indiana will be receiving a $10 million allocation for the READI 2.0 program.
According to information from the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Mary McCarty, these funds are expected to be invested into projects enhancing quality of life, quality of place, and quality of opportunity in not only Ripley County, but Dearborn, Franklin, Ohio, Switzerland and Union counties as well.
Funds from READI – Indiana Regional Acceleration and Development Initiative, will improve housing options, education opportunities, infrastructure and childcare, according to State Senator Jean Leising. She further noted, “Decatur, Rush, and Shelby counties, as well as Batesville, will benefit from $30 million awarded to Accelerate Rural Indiana, while Franklin and Ripley counties will benefit from $10 million awarded to the Southeastern region. She further stated that Jennings County will benefit from $30 million awarded to the South Central region and Fayette County will benefit from $35 million awarded to the East Central region.
All of the money allocated will be put to good use to improve the quality of life for their residents, Sen. Leising said. In a press release from SIRPC, SEI READI asks our region’s citizens and community partners to keep these important points in mind:
All official information and SEI READI updates will continue to be published at www.southeastindiana.org. Information regarding the overall READI program at the state level can be found at www.indianareadi.com.
• _No projects in the Southeast Indiana region have been selected or approved for READI investment at this time.
• _As previously communicated by SEI READI, a request for project information issued in Fall 2023 was strictly for aiding SEI READI in preparing its READI 2.0 application to the IEDC. SEI READI thanks those who aided and strengthened our application by sharing project information.
• _SEI READI expects to issue a request for proposals (projects) later in 2024 to ensure all stakeholders have the opportunity to submit detailed information about their projects for consideration for funding. Exact timing and contents of the RFP are currently being developed.
• _In the meantime, project stakeholders are welcome to discuss potential proposals with the local economic development office in the project’s respective county. Find LEDO contact information below.
• _Following the closure of the RFP period and time to closely evaluate the proposals received, final decisions on which Southeast Indiana projects to invest READI funds into will be made collaboratively between the SEI READI Board of Directors and Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
General questions about SEI READI may be directed to Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Mary McCarty, mary.mccarty@sirpc.org, 812-689-5505.
LEDO contact
information:
Dearborn County – One Dearborn, Mike Perleberg – 513-256-1843 – mperleberg@1dearborn.org
Franklin County – Franklin County Economic Development Commission, John Palmer – 765-338-8201, jpalmerfcedc@gmail.com
Ohio County – Ohio County Economic Development Corporation, Mike Northcutt – 812-438-3324, mike@cityofrisingsun.com
Ripley County – Ripley County Economic Development Corporation, Gary Norman – 812-689-4344, gnorman@ripleycountyedc.com
Switzerland County – Switzerland County Economic Development Corporation, Jon Bond – 812-427-9100, jcbond@switzerlandusa.com
Union County – Union County Community Foundation, Olivia Chewning – 765-458-7664, olivia@ucspecialprojects.org
