The Indiana Uplands is a Region on The Rise! Today, our region was selected to receive $30 million more in READI funding from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
This investment by the state is also an acknowledgment of the momentum we’ve achieved so far as a region. READI 2.0 funding will be used for new capital investments in quality of life, quality of place, and quality of opportunity projects.
The Indiana Uplands READI 2.0 proposal themes focused on the potential to grow the region’s capacity as a national innovation hub by leveraging advanced technologies in key employment sectors (advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and national security and defense) through critical housing, infrastructure, and place-based assets; developing and attracting in-demand talent; and enhancing the region’s unique cultural, artistic, physical and livable amenities.
Left to right: Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg, Matt Weinzapfel (Jasper Engines & Transmissions), Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Tina Peterson (ROI), Michael Huber (Indiana University), Dan Peterson (Cook Group Inc.), and Bryant Niehoff (Uplands Science and Technology Foundation)
We are incredibly thankful to Governor Eric Holcomb, the Indiana legislature, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and the READI review committee for this transformational opportunity. Read the full READI 2.0 IEDC Announcement.
Hundreds of Uplanders helped shape our region’s READI 2.0 application through listening sessions, working groups, focused conversations, and more. Thank you for generously contributing your time, talent, and energy to the READI process.
Next steps with READI 2.0: During April and May, ROI will coordinate with IEDC to gain a better understanding of the process and priorities for this next round of READI funding. Our planning meeting with IEDC is scheduled for May 30th. In the meantime, we will continue communicating with regional partners about regionally significant capital and infrastructure projects for investment with the intent of beginning to make funds available this summer. In conjunction with these discussions, our region will also have the opportunity through READI 2.0 to pursue separate funding from IEDC to support blight reduction and redevelopment projects and arts and culture initiatives, fundable with support to IEDC from Lilly Endowment Inc. The Indiana Uplands READI steering committee will continue to guide the process as we move forward.
Stay tuned for more READI 2.0 details coming soon!
To see project photos, read updates, and learn about the people and communities impacted by READI 1.0, visit https://regionalopportunityinc.org/readi-1-0-projects/