Note to the press: Please include the following statements from Jackson County lawmakers in your coverage of Tuesday's announcement by Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. awarding $500 million to support regional development plans across 17 regions representing all 92 counties. During the 2021 legislative session, state lawmakers made the record investment in the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative to encourage communities to partner and submit plans to increase quality of life and attract top talent. On Tuesday, the IEDC board of directors approved competitive READI grants up to $50 million in each region. The regional development plans included housing, trails, broadband, childcare and wellness initiatives, workforce development programs, and telling Indiana’s story to the world. The plans enumerated a nearly 10:1 capitalization leverage ratio from private and public sources as compared to state investment.
STATEHOUSE (Dec. 15, 2021) – "These grant dollars will help promote regional job growth and improve our overall quality of life. I'm excited about the future of our communities, and believe our best days are yet to come," said State Rep. J. Michael Davisson (R-Salem).
"Our region continues to see population and workforce growth that is outpacing the state as a whole, which increases our need for job growth and expansion. Indiana's commitment to lifting up communities, both large and small, and urban and rural, makes our state the ideal place to live, work and grow a business," said State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour).
"Southern Indiana is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. This initiative brought together regional stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the future and will only help ensure more Hoosiers call it home," said State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford).
Area READI grant award recipients include:
Click here for a copy of the governor's announcement and full list of award recipients.
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State Rep. J. Michael Davisson (R-Salem) represents House District 73, which includes
Washington County, and portions of Orange, Lawrence, Jackson, Clark and Harrison counties.
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State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) represents House District 69, which includes
portions of Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Jefferson counties.
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State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65, which includes all of
Brown County, most of Lawrence County and parts of Monroe, Jackson and Johnson counties.
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