Senate Republicans Will Look To Fund Third Regional Cities Initiative Winner

INDIANAPOLIS -- Senate Republicans have announced they want to fully fund the third winner of the state’s Regional Cities Initiative.

In April, the General Assembly allocated $84 million – taken from the Tax Amnesty program – to award $42 million each to two regions as part of their Regional Cities Initiative.

But the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Gov. Mike Pence instead chose three winners, declaring their intent to ask the legislature for more money from tax amnesty to pay $42 million each to all three regions.

Initial reactions to the decision were varied; House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) voiced frustration over the lack of communication.

But with the tax amnesty program raising more than expected, GOP lawmakers are pushing a bill that would use some of that money for the third region.

“I think it’s another example of good economic development,” says Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville). “It’s also a creative idea that ties regions together to work together for economic development rather than just having everybody fight against each other in individual cities.”