STATEHOUSE — Area lawmakers continue to comment on this week’s announcement made by Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation awarding $500 million to support regional development plans across 17 regions representing all 92 counties.
“These grants are a great opportunity for Southeast Indiana to attract jobs and grow while also increasing access to broadband and health care. It’s great to see local communities jump at the chance to come together and take advantage of this unique opportunity, and I’m excited about our future,” said State Representative Cindy Ziemke (R-Batesville).
“We’re uniquely positioned to take advantage of our communities’ location to create new opportunities. These dollars will help capitalize on our proximity to the Ohio River, Cincinnati, and northern Kentucky metropolitan areas,” said State Representative Randy Lyness (R-West Harrison).
During the 2021 legislative session, state lawmakers made a record investment in the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) to encourage communities to partner and submit plans to increase the quality of life and attract top talent.
On Tuesday, the IEDC board of directors approved competitive READI grants up to $50 million in each region. The regional development plans included housing, trails, broadband, childcare and wellness initiatives, workforce development programs, and telling Indiana’s story to the world.
The plans enumerated a nearly 10:1 capitalization leverage ratio from private and public sources as compared to state investment.
Accelerate Rural Indiana (Batesville, Greensburg, Rushville, and Shelbyville plus Decatur, Rush, and Shelby counties) was awarded $20 million.
Southeast Indiana READI (Ripley, Franklin, Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, and Union counties) was awarded $15 million.
