ECI region READI grant team ready to apply for more money, if state funds it

As the East Central Indiana region distributes its share of state economic development grants, officials are already planning an application for a second round, if the funding is approved by the legislature this year.

The eight-county East Central region tied for the second-smallest portion of the READI program’s $500 million in late 2021, awarded $15 million.  It will support 17 projects.

Trevor Friedeberg heads the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership.  He says the region included more than 120 projects in its first submission – every project that was proposed.

“This is a point where, in hindsight, it may have been a really good idea to really refine that list before submitting it,” Friedeberg said.

For a second round of READI, Friedeberg says he’ll take feedback he’s received on having a more curated, narrow scope to submitted projects – those that have a broad regional impact that addresses common goals and needs.

The first round of READI was funded with federal coronavirus money.  It has to be obligated to projects by the end of 2024 and fully spent by the end of 2026.

When choosing projects for support, the region prioritized areas of housing and commercial development, broadband, childhood education, career pipelines, and quality of place improvements.  It wanted to support at least one project in each county.

Current READI money will be used for these projects:

• Grant County – Gas City Performing Arts Center
• Blackford County – “Equitable” High Speed Broadband improvements
• Jay County – Early Childhood Center, Salamonia School House improvements
• Delaware County – Yorktown Downtown Revitalization, McKinley-Whitely Live Learn Neighborhood, Salem Township Shovel Ready Site Initiative, Albany Commercial Park Initiative, Selma Accessibility improvements
• Randolph County – Vision Corner Learning Center, 4-H improvements
• Henry County – SR 109 Water Infrastructure, Wilbur Wright Trail Phase 3, Henry County YMCA improvements, Knightstown Public Library improvements
• Wayne County – Richmond Rising: Filling the Gap Workforce Housing
• Fayette County – Market Street Plaza
• Regional Projects – ECI Talent Collaborative: Birth to Five Childcare Center

Mark Wasky with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation commends the region for its focus on quality of place and quality of life projects.

“We really see the benefits it’s provided in the short term in creating a sense of excitement across the state.  But also, that leading to future population growth as well.”

The next round of READI would be state dollars.  Friedeberg says that’s helpful.

“So if we are able to utilize state funding, it will allow some greater flexibility, hopefully, with that program as we move forward.”

The READI program is included in HB 1001, the budget passed out of the state House.  The Senate is currently working on its version, with a deadline for a final budget to head to the Governor in April.