Thanks to catalytic Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) funding, Loogootee’s Country Court V neighborhood is welcoming new residents in Martin County. This strategic investment accelerated the development of this 32-acre single-family subdivision from vision to reality, enabling the completion of new homes and helping the first wave of residents settle into a brand-new neighborhood.
The City of Loogootee used READI 1.0 funding awarded by ROI to help install the water and sanitary sewer infrastructure needed to support the development. When complete, Country Court V will feature 41 single-family lots, helping address a critical shortage of available housing in the area.
The development has already reached several important milestones. Six homes have been built, including two custom homes that are now occupied. Four additional spec homes have been completed and listed for sale. Four additional spec homes have been completed and listed for sale, two of which are currently under contract. In total, 12 of the subdivision’s 41 lots have been sold. Lots sell for an average price of $50,000-$60,000 per lot, according to Jessica Potts, Executive Director of the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth.
While the new homes are an encouraging sign of progress, local leaders say the impact extends far beyond new construction.
“READI funding has been transformational for rural communities like ours,” Potts said. “In Martin County, these investments helped make our 41-lot subdivision a reality, creating opportunities that simply would not have existed otherwise. Housing is one of our greatest challenges, and projects like Country Court V are about much more than building homes.”
Potts noted that increased housing availability plays a direct role in workforce attraction and retention, helping communities keep young families in the region while welcoming new residents.
“These projects[SC1] [SC2] are about attracting and retaining workforce, giving young families a reason to stay, welcoming new residents, growing our tax base, and supporting our local businesses and schools,” Potts said. “Every new home represents a family investing in our community and our future.”
The progress at Country Court V also highlights the broader impact these investments can have on communities throughout the Indiana Uplands.
“Country Court V is a visible example of how READI investments can help communities address local needs while supporting broader regional population growth,” said Julie Halbig, Vice President for Economic & Community Development at Regional Opportunity Initiatives. “For Martin County, and ultimately the Indiana Uplands, every new home allows our region to attract and/or keep talent, which is critical to long-term economic growth.”
Country Court V is one of 13 housing development projects awarded READI funding in the Indiana Uplands. To learn more about each project, view READI 1.0 and READI 2.0 project descriptions.