Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Two weeks after Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that $500 million would be awarded to 15 regions to support quality of life and place initiatives, Regional Opportunity Initiatives is ready to collect information on potential READI 2.0 projects.
The Indiana Uplands, an 11-county region that includes seven Radius Indiana counties, was awarded $30 million in READI funds. ROI announced Tuesday that it was ready to receive information on potential projects.
“We have opened up project inquiry forms to gather information on potential projects that could be good candidates for READI 2.0 and associated funding for blight remediation. A separate inquiry form is available to collect information on potential arts and culture projects,” said Tina Peterson, ROI president and CEO, in a press release.
In February, the 15 regions across Indiana submitted proposals for READI 2.0 funding, outlining each region’s vision for its future as well as growth strategies and action plans to improve its quality of life, quality of place and quality of opportunity. An external review committee evaluated the applications based on a variety of factors, including economic development potential, alignment with the state’s priorities, such as population growth, per capita income growth, growth in employment opportunities, educational attainment, housing units developed, childcare capacity and innovation activities as well as the level of focus on rural communities, and the degree of regional collaboration.
In 2021, the Indiana Uplands was awarded $30 million in READI 1.0 funds. Some of the projects that were funded include $1.37 million for Bedford’s Spider Creek infrastructure project, $1.75 million to the town of French Lick for the Klondike workforce housing project, $647,000 for workforce housing in Dubois County, $1 million for engineering services and construction of the Monon South Trail that will impact Lawrence, Orange, Washington and Clark counties and $600,000 to the city of Loogootee to assist with installation of water and sanitary sewer lines for a housing project.
“READI 2.0 provides Orange County with another incredible opportunity to invest in our communities and continue to improve quality of life,” said Skylar Whiteman, executive director of the Orange County Economic Development Partnership. “The key performance indicators being used by the IEDC, like population growth, increasing educational and childcare opportunities, and increasing housing, are things that Orange County is striving for. We are hopeful that we will be able to address these needs with the projects being submitted.”
“This investment by the state is an acknowledgment of the momentum we’ve achieved so far as a region,” Peterson said. “Hundreds of Uplanders helped shape our region’s READI 2.0 application through listening sessions, working groups, focused conversations, and more. Thank you for generously contributing your time, talent, and energy to the READI process. Our shared commitment to regionalism is propelling the Indiana Uplands to new heights!”
Submissions are due May 17. A timeline for submitting full applications will be announced later.