$4 million in READI allocations will leverage investments for housing developments in Huntingburg and Leavenworth, childcare expansion in Nashville, and hospital improvements in Washington.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee, Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI), and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) have announced that $4,093,000 in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) funding has been committed to four projects in the Indiana Uplands region. These projects will improve the region by accelerating the expansion of housing, childcare, and healthcare facilities.
“These four projects exemplify the transformative outcomes envisioned through the Indiana Uplands’ READI initiative,” said Tina Peterson, President and CEO of Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI). “By expanding workforce housing, childcare, and healthcare capacity, we are enhancing the community conditions necessary for attracting new industry expansions, jobs, and talent. Together with our previously announced READI 2.0 anchor investments, these initiatives contribute to the Indiana Uplands’ entire READI 1.0 & 2.0 portfolio of more than 30 projects and programs strategically selected to build a stronger workforce, a more resilient regional economy, and attractive communities to live, work, play, and invest.”
Tower Subdivision, Leavenworth (Crawford County)
A $12,530,214.20 public-private partnership between Cook Group, the Crawford County Economic Development Corporation, the Town of Leavenworth, and the Community Foundation of Crawford County will support the development of a 57-unit single-family subdivision. Near an Industrial Park and Interstate 64, the project has been awarded a $1,850,000 READI 2.0 allocation. Cook Group, the parent corporation of Cook Medical and French Lick Resorts, will act as developer for the project, funding the construction of homes, while local and READI funds will be used to prepare the site, build roads, and provide water and sewer, electric, and fiber infrastructure to the subdivision. Completed homes will be sold below market value to attract new Crawford County residents, regional workforce talent, young families, and first-time homebuyers.
“The Tower Subdivision project represents a vital investment in the future of our county,” said Jesse Belcher, Executive Director of the Crawford County Economic Development Corporation. “It will generate significant new tax revenue to support our local government and schools, while also creating new housing opportunities that attract residents. These new citizens will bring talent and energy, providing a boost to our workforce, a broader customer base for our local businesses, and increasing our appeal to future employers and amenities. This project is a major step forward in strengthening the economic vitality and quality of life throughout our community.”
Poplar Ridge Apartments, Huntingburg (Dubois County)
Premier Property Management Kerstiens Realty LLC is investing $16,041,000 to develop a new market-rate, multi-housing community that will support local industry and attract new employees. With a total of 126 high-efficiency units, the community will feature 24 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom, 24 three-bedroom, 18 two-bedroom townhomes, and 12 three-bedroom townhomes with garages. In addition to securing a $1,594,000 tax abatement from the City of Huntingburg, this project was awarded a $1,493,000 READI 2.0 allocation. READI funds will be used to purchase the materials and labor associated with the infrastructure on this project.
“We couldn’t be more excited to start this project,” said Ruger Kerstiens, President of Premier Property Management Kerstiens Realty LLC. “It will build upon our mission to provide quality housing at attainable prices. Poplar Ridge Apartments will be a tremendous asset to the community and our local industry partners. Not only will Poplar Ridge Apartments attract new residents to our area, it will also help retain existing residents.”
A groundbreaking ceremony for Poplar Ridge Apartments will occur on July 30, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. at
2050 N Lincoln Drive, Huntingburg, IN 47542.
Healing Horizons / Daviess Community Hospital, Washington (Daviess County)
Daviess County, Daviess County Hospital, and the Daviess Community Hospital Foundation are investing $5,057,995.96 in a public-private partnership that will expand the hospital’s emergency department and upgrade its radiology services with advanced diagnostic capabilities. A total of $500,000 in READI 2.0 funds has been allocated for construction costs and medical equipment.
“This funding empowers us to provide a higher level of care to the people who rely on Daviess Community Hospital during their most critical moments,” said CFO April Settles.
“By expanding our Emergency Department by 40%—adding new trauma and exam rooms, a dedicated EMS entrance, and specialized decontamination and consultation spaces—we are improving both access and efficiency in urgent care. In Radiology, we’ve completed a renovation to enhance patient flow, privacy, and diagnostic capability. Updates include a modernized reception and waiting area, upgraded dressing rooms, and a streamlined workflow to reduce wait times. At the heart of these improvements is our new Magnetom Altea 1.5T MRI, which delivers faster scans, greater image clarity, and a more comfortable experience for patients. This project represents an essential investment in the health of our rural communities—especially for seniors, families with children, and individuals managing chronic conditions.”
Early Education Center, Nashville (Brown County)
In addition to a $250,000 READI 2.0 allocation, Brown County Schools is leveraging $836,151 in grant funding from Early Learning Indiana, Brown County Community Foundation, and the Indiana Department of Education’s Explore, Engage, Experience (3e) program to renovate its Early Education Center with a new toddler classroom, food prep area, two toilet rooms, and a health clinic area. This renovation will add 10 toddler seats and enable the center to serve eight infants. This project expands essential childcare capacity in a county with limited facilities, while also enabling Brown County High School students in the Early Childhood Education Ivy Tech Dual Credit pathway to graduate with a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and the skills to care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
“High-quality early care and education are vital to a thriving community, and this project offers Brown County families an affordable, trusted option,” said Deborah Harman, Director of Student Support Services at Brown County Schools. “Closing the care gap for children from birth to age five has long been a local priority. With this expansion, the Brown County Schools Early Education Center will now serve nearly 50 children. High school students in the Early Childhood Education Pathway will also gain hands-on experience with infants and toddlers, strengthening the local pipeline of credentialed early childhood educators.”
Indiana’s $1.25 billion READI program is bringing vibrancy to regions across the state to accelerate shovel-ready projects and programs that will transform Hoosier communities, attract talent, and improve quality of life. READI, which has been nationally recognized for its success, encourages regional collaboration and data-driven, long-term planning that will benefit current and future residents for generations to come. The state’s $1 billion investment, which secured additional funding awarded by the Lilly Endowment, is expected to attract a minimum 4:1 match of local public, private, and nonprofit funding, yielding at least $3 billion invested across all 92 counties to enhance Indiana’s quality of life, quality of place, and quality of opportunity.
ROI and a regional steering committee manage $60 million in READI 1.0 and 2.0 matching funds awarded to the Indiana Uplands region to grow the region’s capacity as a national hub for innovation; develop and attract in-demand talent; advance housing, infrastructure, and place-based assets; and enhance the region’s unique cultural, artistic, physical and livable amenities. In addition to these new READI 2.0 project announcements, the Indiana Uplands READI region previously announced $9.5 million in READI 2.0 funding commitments for three regional anchor projects: Simtra BioPharma Expansion (Bloomington), Indiana University Microelectronics (ME) Core Facility (Bloomington), and the Regional Wellness Center (Jasper).
A total of 27 projects and programs were awarded READI 1.0 funding in the Indiana Uplands region. For more information, announcements, and Indiana Uplands READI project updates, visit: https://regionalopportunityinc.org/readi/
Learn more at IndianaREADI.com.
About Regional Opportunity Initiatives
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance economic and community prosperity in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties). ROI is growing potential and possibility through a focus on advanced industry sectors, regionalism, transformative school and workforce redesign, and placemaking strategies.
About the Indiana Uplands
The Indiana Uplands is an 11-county region encompassing Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties. In a region replete with talent and resources, it is home to Naval Support Activity Crane, the third-largest Naval Installation in the world; the number one small Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for specialized employment in the medical devices and equipment category,2nd in the pharmaceuticals category; and an automotive and heavy manufacturing cluster that has grown by more than 93% since 2012. Uplanders—from students to visionaries, artisans to entrepreneurs— call our 11 counties home. Find your place to thrive at https://inuplands.org/