SEI READI Among 15 Regions to Submit Proposals for READI 2.0 Funding

A second round of $500 million in funding will accelerate community development investments statewide,

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric Holcomb today announced 15 regions representing all 92 counties submitted proposals for quality of life and quality of place funding through the expansion of the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0).

READI 2.0 is allocating a second round of $500 million to accelerate community development investments statewide, and it will be invested alongside $250 million in grant funding awarded by the Lilly Endowment Inc.

This funding is expected to attract a minimum 4:1 match of local public and private funding, yielding at least $3 billion invested to increase the vibrancy and prosperity of Hoosier communities.

Locally, SEI READI Inc., which includes Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Union, Franklin, and Ripley counties (excluding Batesville), submitted a proposal that features the following themes:

• Leverage the region’s natural resources and unique qualities to grow economic vitality, population and generational prosperity through strategic investments in housing, cultural amenities, infrastructure, targeted industries, and childcare systems.

The IEDC will review and assess the submitted plans before making formal recommendations to the IEDC board of directors on April 11.

Once investment allocations are finalized, the IEDC will begin coordinating with each region to identify regionally significant capital and infrastructure projects for investment. Regions awarded funding allocations will also have the opportunity to submit projects focused on blight reduction and redevelopment as well as arts and culture initiatives for match funding through the Lilly Endowment Inc. 

“Indiana is leading the nation in quality of life and quality of place investment initiatives,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Through the state’s READI program, we’re collaboratively investing billions to grow Indiana’s population, cultivate vibrant and sustainable communities, and better the lives of all Hoosiers today and tomorrow.”  

More information on READI 2.0, including application guidance and evaluation frameworks, as well as links to download the regions’ proposals, is available at IndianaREADI.com. A map of the identified regions can be found here.