East Central Indiana receives $35 million READI grant

MUNCIE, Ind. — The East Central Indiana region — including Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties — has received $35 million in funding from Indiana's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).

"Funding from READI promises to fuel transformative growth and opportunity across communities in the region," according to a news release.

"I am incredibly proud of the work that was put in across the region to make this award a reality," Trevor Friedeberg, president and CEO of the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, said in the release. "With this award we will accelerate growth in our region that will have an impact for years to come."

Launched by Gov. Eric Holcomb and spearheaded by the the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, READI "encourages regional collaboration and data-informed, long-term planning to attract and retain talent in Indiana."

In the first stage of READI, ECI received $15 million for 19 projects across various sectors, including broadband, childcare, infrastructure, arts and culture, recreation, and talent attraction, with $5 million disbursed to date.

More: East Central Indiana Regional Partnership readies READI Grant application for February

The regional development plan has several goals to be completed by 2031.

It seeks to attract 1,500 new residents to the region each year, enable 1,300 people to earn a bachelor's degree or higher annually and develop about 7,200 new housing units.

For Muncie, READI grant projects include Ball State University's remake of The Village retail area, including an on-campus performing arts center and a new 100-room Tapestry by Hilton Hotel.

Statewide, Holcomb announced plans to award $500 million to 15 regions representing all 92 Indiana counties.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: ECI to receive $35 million grant from READI program