Central Indiana Cities, Counties Join Forces To Apply For READI Grant

Mayors from central Indiana cities are collaborating to attract, develop and retain talent.

The group applied for an Indiana Regional Economic Accelerations and Development Initiative (READI) planning grant. The initiative, created by Gov. Eric Holcomb, awards up to $50 million per region to be invested in projects identified in their regional plans.

Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron said Zionsville partnered with Fishers, Anderson, Carmel, Indianapolis, Noblesville, Westfield, and Madison and Hamilton counties to apply for the READI grant.

“The governor is providing this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvest in local communities and Zionsville has a seat at the table,” Styron said. “Our goal as a community is to focus on preserving our sense of place and authenticity while also attracting innovative corporate investment and workforce opportunities for our residents.”

Styron said there are transformational opportunities ahead because of the regional partnership based on what unites them all: the White River.

“Given that we have a lot of our property in the flood plain of the White River it is something that defines what we can and can’t do and is something that impacts us locally,” Styron said.

The regional group will focus on connectivity with supplemental areas possibly including trails; transportation; infrastructure; and environmental and green economy jobs.

The state is expected to name the first round of investments in December.