Note to the press: Please include the following statements from State Reps. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) and Beau Baird (R-Greencastle), who serve on House Ways and Means Committee, and State Rep. John Young (R-Franklin) in your coverage of yesterday'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) – "This is a great example of how public-private partnerships can give communities a huge economic development boost. When crafting the latest state budget, we made sure funding was available for the READI program to help launch projects that will propel Indiana forward. Judging by all of the grant proposals, this initiative will maintain our momentum for years to come," said State Rep. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville).
"Our economy is roaring after shaking off the effects of the pandemic, and now is the time to really put our foot on the gas and help our communities grow. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee that crafts the state's biennial budget, I supported the funding for the READI program, and I'm impressed by the number of communities that have come together to invest in our state. The depth of teamwork in these proposals demonstrates that Indiana is preparing for the jobs of tomorrow and the quality of life needed to continue growing," said State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle).
"Our communities are in a strong position to invest in resources and programs that will attract the best and the brightest to our state. By partnering with surrounding counties, we can stretch our dollars further, and take key steps to develop our region as a hub for Hoosier employees and employers to plant their roots and make Indiana their home," said State Rep. John Young (R-Franklin).
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. Peggy Mayfield (R-Martinsville) represents House District 60,
which includes portions of Morgan and Monroe counties.
Click here for a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Beau Baird (R-Greencastle) represents House District 44, which includes
all of Putnam County and portions of Clay, Morgan, Owen and Parke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. John Young (R-Franklin) represents House District 47,
which includes portions of Johnson and Morgan counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
