READI Sees Communities Come Together For Regional Growth

The initiative encourages long-term quality of place, talent attraction planning across 91 counties.

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(INDIANAPOLIS) – Indiana communities are coming together to accelerate economic resilience.

The Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) is designed to accelerate strategic investments in Hoosier communities.

The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Eric Holcomb, has attracted participation from counties, cities and towns spanning 91 of Indiana’s 92 counties – to form 18 regions that will collaborate to develop and accelerate a shared vision for small and large-scale growth within their communities.

Each region will also work to secure matching funds through the state’s $500 million initiative.

Locally, the Southeast region is lead by SEI READI Inc., which is made up of Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Union, Franklin, and Ripley counties, excluding the City of Batesville.

“READI will help harness a natural synergy of regional economic development leaders and private industry professionals to implement strategic investments in quality of place and innovation,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “We encourage stakeholders to collaborate and think big. Focus not only on shovel-ready, but on multi-year programs to develop talent, drive innovation and improve the quality of life which will transform our great Hoosier state for future generations to come.”

The IEDC’s investment in a region’s plan is expected to have a 4:1 match from local public and private sources and can include strategies focused on physical projects such as infrastructure, workforce housing developments, revitalization of blighted or vacant properties, cultural amenities, and multi-year programs.

Regions have until August 31, 2021 to submit plans for regional development, which will be evaluated in the fall.

For more information, visit IndianaREADI.com.