STATEHOUSE (Dec. 17, 2021) – Communities across all 17 regions in Indiana will receive $500 million as part of a new, innovative state grant aimed at increasing quality of life and attracting top talent, according to State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute).
On Tuesday, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced $20 million will go to the Wabash River Regional Opportunity Initiative and $30 million to Indiana Uplands. Counties in these regions include Clay, Knox, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo, Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington. These regions submitted development plans as part of a competitive grant process through the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development or READI initiative.
During the 2021 legislative session, Heaton supported making a record investment in READI in order to encourage communities to partner and create a plan for the future.
"The latest census data showed many of our rural areas lost residents and workers capable of bringing new economic opportunity," Heaton said. "As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which crafts the state budget, I supported the READI program to help ensure counties and their communities can collaborate regionally to develop ideas that attract more citizens and jobs."
Regional development plans across the state included housing, trails, broadband, childcare and wellness initiatives, workforce development programs, and telling Indiana’s story to the world. Heaton said the plans enumerated a nearly 10:1 capitalization leverage ratio from private and public sources as compared to the state investment.
Click here for a full list of READI award recipients and visit iedc.in.gov to learn more about the READI initiative.
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State Rep. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) represents House District 46,
which includes portions of Clay, Monroe, Owen and Vigo counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
