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Last updated: January 31, 2024

The following 27 Indiana Uplands READI 1.0 projects and programs are committed for funding by the Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and the ROI Board of Directors.

Ready Innovation Projects

$10 million for WestGate@Crane Technology Park Infrastructure

  • Lead Organization: Uplands Science and Technology Foundation (USTF)
  • READI Dollars Committed: $10,000,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Daviess, Greene, Martin

READI matching funds are committed to support infrastructure needs for WestGate, accelerating a new $84 million microelectronics campus that will transform Indiana’s semiconductor industry, attract talent to the region and create high-paying, quality jobs for Hoosiers. This project will leverage more than $300 million in private investment. See the complete announcement from the November 2022 WestGate One groundbreaking ceremony.

$1,916,230 for Catalent Infrastructure

  • Lead Organization: City of Bloomington
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,916,230
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Owen

The City of Bloomington will replace 1,570 feet of clay sewer pipe, improving flow from the Catalent facility located at 1300 South Patterson and continuing one mile downstream along an arterial corridor. Replacement of the sewer transmission and distribution lines will allow Catalent to expand its biologics drug substance and drug product manufacturing capabilities in alignment with the company’s April 2022 announcement: Catalent to Invest $350 Million in Integrated Biologics Drug Substance and Drug Product Manufacturing at Bloomington, Indiana, Facility.

$ 1,378,755.00 for Bedford Spider Creek Infrastructure Project

  • Lead Organization: City of Bedford
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,378,755
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Lawrence

The City of Bedford will address sanitary sewer overflows and alleviate hydraulic stress on the east side of the city through the installation of a new gravity sanitary sewer line consisting of approximately 3,000 LF of 18-inch SDR35 pipe from the intersection of 6th and F Street to I Street, and approximately 2,500 LF of 24-inch SDR25 pipe from I Street to the intersection of 10th and O Street.

Ready Housing Projects

$1,980,000 for the Spencer Texas Pike Place Housing Development

  • Lead Organization: Workforce Housing, LLC (Cook Group)
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,980,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Owen

Cook Group is developing a neighborhood of 99 single-family, owner-occupied homes along Texas Pike Place in Spencer targeted for middle-income wage earners employed at Cook Medical and Cook Group companies. READI funds will be used for water infrastructure: sanitary sewer extension, lift station, water main extension, and water storm construction.

$1,800,000 for the Bloomington Hopewell Jackson Street Construction

  • Lead Organization: City of Bloomington
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,800,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Monroe

The City of Bloomington will use READI funds for the design and construction of a new 350-foot corridor in the 21-acre Hopewell development site, formerly the location of the IU Health Bloomington Hospital. READI funds will pay for engineering and design, roadway construction, utilities, and construction inspections. The brand new Jackson Street will directly support the redevelopment of the 1947 17,865 square foot Kohr Administration Building, which will eventually house 40 units of affordable housing, serving residents 60% and below Area Median Income. The Jackson Street artery will also support up to 400 housing units in the future on additional parcels.

$1,750,000 for the French Lick Klondike Subdivision

  • Lead Organization: Town of French Lick
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,750,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Orange

The French Lick Resort, in partnership with the Orange County Economic Development Partnership, is developing a neighborhood of 27 affordable, single-family, owner-occupied homes near Klondike Road for individuals and families that live and work in Orange County. READI funds will be used for the installation of roadways, sidewalks, drinking water, and wastewater infrastructure.

$1,250,000 for the Indiana Uplands Land Bank

  • Lead Organization: Southern Indiana Development Commission
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,250,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Crawford, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange

Southern Indiana Development Commission will launch and operate a Regional Land Bank nonprofit to address blighted, dilapidated, and unsafe housing in six counties in the Uplands region. The Land Band will acquire and rehab properties & return them to the tax rolls to provide new housing, grow industry, create jobs for residents, and revitalize and stabilize neighborhoods. 

$900,000 for Westcott Homes near WestGate@Crane

  • Lead Organization: Westgate Development, LLC
  • READI Dollars Committed: $900,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Greene

Westgate Development LLC and general contractor, Wininger Constuction, Inc., will use READI funding to build out infrastructure (water/sewer) for a 90 single-family home development in Greene County. The development is in close proximity to WestGate@Crane Technology Park, where a November 2022 announcement was made about the construction of a microelectronics facility that will add ~550 jobs to the local economy. Westcott will help add to the supply of housing needed to meet the demand of workers moving to the region.

$647,000 for the Jasper University Heights Apartments

  • Lead Organization: KFAM Partners, LLC
  • READI Dollars Committed: $647,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Dubois

Premier Property Management / Kerstiens Realty is constructing this affordable workforce housing development at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Meridian, featuring six buildings and 64 rental units. READI funds will be used to construct ten one-bedroom, income-eligible units at monthly rates not exceeding 30% of the county’s median income.

$600,000 for Country Court V in Loogootee

  • Lead Organization: City of Loogootee
  • READI Dollars Committed: $600,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Martin

The City of Loogootee will utilize READI funds to assist in the installation of water and sanitary sewer lines associated with the development of 40 houses.  Located less than 20 miles from NSWC Crane/WestGate, this new area designated for housing will help fill a housing need for workers recruited to launch WestGate’s new microelectronics campus.

$315,000 for Osage Place in Bloomington

  • Lead Organization: Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
  • READI Dollars Committed: $315,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Monroe

Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County will use $315,000 in READI funding to build three affordable homes as part of a larger 69 single-family home development. Osage Place is located on eight acres on the southwest side of Bloomington, west of the intersection of Rockport and Rogers Roads. Homes in the Osage Place neighborhood are built for residents and families with household earnings between 25 and 80 percent of the area median income.

Ready Communities Projects and Programs

$1,000,000 for the Monon South Regional Trail

  • Lead Organization: Radius Indiana
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,000,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Clark, Lawrence, Orange, Washington

Radius Indiana will utilize READI funding for engineering design and construction management for the south portion of the Monon Trail, extending from Clark County through Washington County and portions of Orange and Lawrence Counties. The 57-mile Monon South rails-to-trail path will be constructed on a former railroad line and will eventually extend 68 miles from Bedford to New Albany’s South Monon Freedom Trail.

$249,999 for the State Road 67 Water Main Project in Owen County

  • Lead Organization: BBP Water Corporation
  • READI Dollars Committed: $249,999
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Owen

To allow for future housing developments in Owen County, BPP Water Corporation will install 9,800 linear feet of water main along State Road 67 to deliver clean water to existing residents, accelerate the decommissioning of contaminated private residential water wells.

$249,999 for the Jasper Phase II Courthouse Square Infrastructure & Revitalization Project

  • Lead Organization: City of Jasper
  • READI Dollars Committed: $249,999
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Dubois

The City of Jasper updated its Courthouse Square infrastructure and revitalized the downtown area to bring residents and visitors back to the heart of the community. The project included installing new sidewalks, asphalt, permeable brick pavers, landscaping, safe street, and crosswalk designs, gathering spaces, and upgrading water and storm infrastructure. READI funding was applied toward replacing the 100-year-old water lines extending from the downtown square.

$249,999 for the Daviess County Youth Expo Center

  • Lead Organization: Daviess County 4H Association
  • READI Dollars Committed: $249,999
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Daviess

The Daviess County 4-H Association will use READI funds to construct a new community building. To be located on eight acres adjacent to Eastside Park in Washington, the Daviess County Youth Expo Center will host 4H activities, meetings, education classes, livestock events, and community events.

$247,111.80 for West Baden Park Improvements

  • Lead Organization: Orange County Economic Development Partnership
  • READI Dollars Committed: $247,110.80
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Orange

This project includes improvements at West Baden Park, including multi-use trails, playground equipment, lighting, accessible sidewalks, and flood mitigation measures at the Park.

$229,040 for Outdoor Facility Upgrades at the Brown County Early Education Center

  • Lead Organization: Brown County Community Foundation
  • READI Dollars Committed: $229,040
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Brown

READI funds will be used to install an outdoor classroom with playground equipment. The EEC opened in August 2022 in the former Brown County Intermediate School, with 70 high school students participating in early learning workforce training opportunities at the center. While Brown County Schools has remodeled the former school, the outdoor space has not yet been updated for use by children under the age of six.

$226,350 for the Ellettsville Heritage Center

  • Lead Organization: Town of Ellettsville
  • READI Dollars Committed: $226,350
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Monroe

The Town of Ellettsville will transform a historic barn at Stewart Park into the Ellettsville Heritage Center, a gathering place and cultural facility for plays, concerts, classes, festivals, cultural development, and artistic enrichment. The center’s interior will include meeting rooms, a networking area, a kitchen, restrooms, a 15-foot stage, and utilities (electric, water, and Wi-Fi). See the long-term plans and architectural renderings for Stewart Park on the Envision Ellettsville website.

$225,000 for a Downtown Park Pavilion in Loogootee

  • Lead Organization: City of Loogootee
  • READI Dollars Committed: $225,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Martin

With only one city park in its community, Loogootee will add another outdoor recreational space to enhance the downtown area and allow for more community activities and events. READI funds will be used by the City of Loogootee to transform a vacant surface lot into green space with an open roofed pavilion, sidewalks, benches, trash receptacles, lighting, fencing, trees, and landscaping to host a variety of events, festivals, and community programs.

$225,000 for Dubois County Park Improvements

  • Lead Organization: Dubois County Park and Recreation Board
  • READI Dollars Committed: $225,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Dubois

This project includes enhancements identified for the second phase of the Dubois County Park Improvement Plan. The Park and Recreation Board will utilize READI funds to update and expand the Activity Zone at the heart of the park with a new splash pad,  playground upgrades, and courts for sporting activities, such as basketball, volleyball, or ping pong.

$200,000 for the Youth First Building Resiliency Youth Program

  • Lead Organization: Youth First
  • READI Dollars Committed: $200,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Daviess, Dubois, Lawrence, Martin, Orange

Youth First will place licensed social workers and graduate school social work interns in Daviess, Dubois, Lawrence, Martin, and Orange K-12 schools. Social workers will work with students to deliver a flexible toolkit of evidence-based mental health and prevention strategies to build the resilience they need to navigate life challenges without seeking relief from substance misuse, suicide, or violence.

$150,000 for the Longfellow Park All-Inclusive Playground

  • Lead Organization: Comforting Hearts – Washington IN Free Methodist Church, Inc
  • READI Dollars Committed: $150,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Daviess

Comforting Hearts/Washington Free Methodist Church, in partnership with the Washington Parks Department, will utilize READI funding to construct an all-inclusive playground at Longfellow Park. The playground will feature a protective rubber surface to allow those with wheelchairs and mobility devices to access new inclusive play equipment, including sensory panels and activity walls, seesaw, slides, crawling tubes, climbing pods, swings, and whirl spinner.

$110,819 for the Alley Activation Project in Huntingburg

  • Lead Organization: City of Huntingburg
  • READI Dollars Committed: $110,819
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Dubois

Located in Huntingburg’s historic downtown district, this alley recently converted pedestrian-only serves as an access corridor to a number of local retail and restaurant establishments. READI funds will allow Huntingburg to add quality-of-place design features, including planters, lighting, public art, and outdoor tables and chairs that can be utilized by patrons of nearby restaurants.

$100,000 for Bloomfield Park Development

  • Lead Organization: Town of Bloomfield
  • READI Dollars Committed: $100,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Greene

Following a comprehensive update to its Park and Recreation Plan, the Town of Bloomfield is working towards renovating its park space with amenities including playgrounds, sidewalks, and recreational surfaces such as pickleball and ball courts. It will also add new park benches, picnic tables, and other amenities. The READI funds will cover the pickleball court (coating, fencing, lighting, and asphalt) and asphalt repair. See photos of the park’s progress on the Bloomfield Town Park Facebook page.

$100,000 for the Bedford Limestone Derrick Restoration Project

  • Lead Organization: City of Bedford
  • READI Dollars Committed: $100,000
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Lawrence

The City of Bedford will rehabilitate and update the Highway 37 “Welcome to Bedford” Limestone Derrick. In addition to the restoration of the derrick initially erected in 1978, the City of Bedford will install a new welcome sign, concrete pathway, lighting, landscaping, fencing, and limestone bench to allow visitors to access this historic site.

Ready Talent Programs

$1,370,325 for the Code/IT Academy

  • Lead Organization: The Mill
  • READI Dollars Committed: $1,370,325
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, Washington

Code/IT Academy is a free, cohort-based program that provides upskilling in IT administration, web development, and associated technologies. After ten weeks of training, participants earn industry-recognized certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+ certification, LinkedIn IT certificates, and AWS Cloud Practitioner certification). Originally launched in Bloomington, READI funding will allow The Mill to partner with Regional Opportunity Initiatives and Ivy Tech to expand the program first to Washington and Crawford counties and then to the entire Uplands region over the next three years.

$729,373 for UpSkill Work and Learn

  • Lead Organization: Regional Opportunity Initiatives
  • READI Dollars Committed: $729,373
  • Counties Directly Impacted: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, Washington

Informed by the modern youth apprenticeship model, UpSkill Work and Learn is a 2-3 year opportunity that provides high school students with paid employment, on-the-job and related classroom instruction, college credits, and industry-recognized credentials. Participating students gain skills in regionally relevant positions such as Robotic Tech, Engineering Tech, Business Operations, Information Tech, and CAD Design. READI funding will allow Regional Opportunity Initiatives to scale the program launched in 2022 to all parts of the region over the next three years.