COLUMBUS, IN — Accelerate Rural Indiana is receiving a portion of its $20 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant funds.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers announced Thursday in Columbus that the state is on track to designate 40 percent, or $200 million, of the initiative’s grant funds to projects and programs by the end of July, and the remaining $500 million in all 17 regions by the end of the year, accelerating shovel-ready projects and programs that are expected to transform Indiana communities, attract talent and improve the quality of life in the short and long term.
The following local/Accelerate Rural Indiana projects were awarded funds:
- Kids Discovery Factory Expansion in Batesville: Accelerating STEAM exploration, cultivating future innovators in Southeast Indiana
($5M total project investment; $1M READI allocation)In Batesville, Kids Discovery Factory (KDF), a non-profit community organization dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM), will renovate a 100-year-old, three-story building at 110 Sycamore Street and develop the neighboring vacant lot to create a permanent children’s discovery center and children’s museum. This unique regional tourism and field trip destination will inspire young learners to innovate and create through world-class exhibits, engaging programs, and STEAM learning labs, providing a first-of-its-kind educational opportunity for students in the region. KDF is expected to attract 30,000 visitors annually, supporting students and families in the region and reigniting regional tourism.
- Greensburg/Decatur County Inclusion Park: Providing safe, inclusive spaces for kids, families, and visitors
($349,000 total project investment; $249,999 READI allocation)This inclusion-focused park, which will be developed in Rebekah Park on the east side of Greensburg, will be a universally designed, sensory-rich environment enabling children of all abilities to interact and play. The park will include equipment made for children of all ages and all abilities, supporting physical, social, and emotional development, and it will accommodate adult participation as well, making it a fun, welcoming outing for residents and visiting families alike. With construction slated to begin this fall, a special focus will be placed on physical accommodations, such as meeting ADA accessibility requirements; engagement of the senses so kids can explore the space; and integration with other Rebekah Park features to support inclusion for all kids utilizing its spaces.
A third Accelerate Rural Indiana project receiving funds was the Indiana Sports Complex in Shelbyville, which was given a $2.5 million READI allocation.
READI funds were awarded in December 2021 to support regional development and quality of place projects in 17 regions representing all of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Accelerate Rural Indiana is comprised of the cities of Batesville, Greensburg, Rushville, and Shelbyville, plus Decatur, Rush, and Shelby counties.
