SEI READI Submits Funding Proposal; Review Process Underway

Seventeen regions representing all 92 Indiana counties have submitted funding requests totaling over $1 billion.

INDIANAPOLIS – The review process is underway after Indiana regions submit READI funding proposals.

Governor Eric Holcomb today announced 17 regions representing all 92 counties submitted proposals for funding from the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).

In total, more than $1 billion in funding has been requested between the 17 proposals.

The READI budget is $500 million with each region eligible to receive up to $50 million. 

“Secretary Chambers and I are impressed with and appreciative of all the hard work and collaborative energy invested in the READI regional development plans submitted across the entire state,” said Gov. Holcomb. “I have no doubt these plans will be the beginning of transformational progress that will impact Hoosiers for generations to come.” 

SEI READI Inc. which is made up of Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Union, Franklin, and Ripley counties (excludes City of Batesville) submitted a proposal that prioritizes talent attraction and development as the region’s foremost opportunity for growth.

Developed by Thomas P. Miller & Associates and with guidance from the SEI READI Steering Committee of local economic development organizations and Southeast Indiana Regional Planning Commission, the plan received wide stakeholder input of businesses, institutions, local government leaders, and citizens from across the six counties.

The plan includes: 

• a defined regional vision
• specific regional goals
• strategies to accomplish the regional goals
• justification for the region’s identification
• a snapshot of the current state of the region
• an overview of communities
• stakeholders and execution summary
• community engagement summary
• success metrics
• and structural changes.

The regional strategies in the plan include the following:

• Built Assets
• Natural Assets
• Arts, Culture & Community
• Wellness Through Recreation
• Safety & Social Services
• Healthcare
• Housing
• Water & Sewer
• Broadband
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Childcare & Early Education
• K-12 Paths to Success
• Adult Education & Upskilling
• Comprehensive Regional Marketing

The IEDC will work closely with the newly established READI review committee to follow evaluation timelines and assess the submitted plans before making formal recommendations for funding to the IEDC board of directors in December.

The READI review committee is made up of:

• Bill Hanna, Executive Director, Dean and Barbra White Family Foundation
• Isaac Bamgbose, President and CEO of New City Development
• Jason Dudich, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Treasurer, University of Indianapolis
• Jason Blume, Executive Director, Innovation One
• Kelli Jones, Co-Founder and General Partner, Sixty8 Capital
• Leah Curry, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
• Lori Luther, Chief Operating Officer, IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital

For more information about Indiana READI, visit Overview (in.gov). 

RELATED: 

Regional Collaboration SEI READI To Compete For State Funding

READI Sees Communities Come Together For Regional Growth

*Indiana READI Regions. Photo by Indiana Economic Development Corp.