STATEHOUSE (Dec. 16, 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. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City).
On Tuesday, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced $15 million will go to counties in East Central Indiana, including Blackford, Fayette, Muncie-Delaware, Jay, Henry, Randolph, Wayne and Grant. The communities, led by the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, submitted a regional development plan as part of a competitive grant process through the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development or READI initiative.
During the 2021 legislative session, Prescott supported making a record investment in READI in order to encourage communities to partner and create a plan for the future.
"We need to be proactive in developing our rural communities in a unified way and the READI grants are a major step in that direction," Prescott said. "Communities that work together with an eye toward the future is a surefire way to boost the quality of life for Hoosiers across the state."
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. Prescott 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. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33, which
includes Jay and Randolph counties, and a portion of Delaware County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
