STATEHOUSE (Oct. 16, 2024) – A new, mixed-use housing community broke ground Wednesday in Goshen thanks in part to a new state law, which helps local communities cover housing infrastructure costs, according to State Reps. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) and Doug Miller (R-Elkhart).
King and Miller joined local officials and developers for the Cherry Creek Goshen development to celebrate the project, which plans to offer 1,400 condos, townhomes and single-family homes. In July, Goshen received $11 million from Indiana's Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program, which the city used toward covering infrastructure costs.
"Our housing stock in communities across Indiana, needs to be able to keep up with the demand," said Miller, author of the law, which established the program. "With local communities partnering with the state to address infrastructure needs, developers can come into areas with shovel-ready sites and start construction more easily."
King said costly infrastructure projects can present barriers for developers and local communities that want to increase housing options. This program will serve as a revolving loan fund to help local governments cover costs on these projects like water distribution systems, sanitary sewer systems, electric or gas distribution lines, and more.
"Local communities want to bring in more housing, but often struggle to make this happen due to budget restrictions and other factors," King said. "Thanks to this fund, locals can get much-needed help to tackle costly infrastructure projects, which ultimately incentivizes housing developers to build more housing options. I'm thrilled to see this new law delivering tangible results for our community."
Goshen was 1 of 13 communities to receive part of $51 million awarded by the Indiana Finance Authority in the first round of program funding. King said 70% of the funding is dedicated to communities with populations under 50,000, where lack of housing is more prevalent. The remaining 30% of funding is available for larger communities.
The State Budget Committee recently approved $25 million for the second funding round of the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program but recipients have not yet been named.
To learn more about the Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program and for a full list of award recipients, visit in.gov/ifa/residential-housing-infrastructure-assistance-program/.
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State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
which includes a portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart) represents House District 48,
which includes a portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
CAPTION: Developers along with local and state officials participate in a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, for Cherry Creek Goshen, a mixed-use housing community funded in part by Indiana's new Residential Housing Infrastructure Assistance Program created through a law authored by State Rep. Doug Miller (R-Elkhart). Pictured are (left to right) Goshen Director of Redevelopment Becky Hutsell, Goshen Mayor Gina Leichty, Goshen Chamber President and CEO Nick Kieffer, State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury), Miller, Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick, project partner Daryl Zook and Cherry Creek CEO Tonya Detweiler.
