Gov. Eric Holcomb, center, is joined by representative of the Northwest Indiana Forum, including President and CEO Heather Ennis, left of Holcomb, after the governor on Thursday awarded the Forum $45 million in state funds to support a variety of quality of place and quality of life initiatives across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke counties. Provided image
Northwest Indiana is receiving $45 million in state funds to support a variety of quality of place and quality of life initiatives across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke counties.
Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday the Northwest Indiana Forum was among agencies representing six Indiana regions selected for a maximum grant award in the second round of the state's $500 million Regional Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program.
The Republican anticipates the state grants, similar to the $500 million in first round READI funds awarded in 2021, will unlock billions of additional dollars in private-sector investment in Northwest Indiana and across the Hoosier State.
"Indiana is leading the way in future-focused investments in our economy and in our communities, ensuring that all Hoosiers of today and tomorrow have the opportunity to prosper," Holcomb said.
"READI has already resulted in more than $12.6 billion invested in quality of place and quality of life assets. The second iteration of the initiative — READI 2.0 — along with additional committed investments from the Lilly Endowment, will bring billions more to Hoosier neighborhoods, preparing communities, industry and talent for the next generation and beyond."
The Northwest Indiana Forum said it's received 91 requests from local organizations for READI 2.0 funding. The Forum plans to decide in early May — in tandem with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., the state's commerce agency — which proposals to support.
In general, the Forum's focus for READI 2.0 is projects promoting advanced energy, sustainable destination development, investment-ready assets and opportunity campuses, as well as initiatives that foster a culture of industry innovation and creativity.
"This is another huge win for Northwest Indiana. We have spent the last 10 years continuing to drive cooperation and progress throughout the Region. With hard work being done by many, these funds will continue to ignite the Region for generations to come," said Heather Ennis, Northwest Indiana Forum president and CEO.
Ennis noted the Forum already has attracted more than $700 million in outside investment to the seven-county region following its receipt of a $50 million maximum grant in the first round of state READI awards.
That money has gone toward projects impacting talent, infrastructure, place making, business development and marketing, and entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Indiana, including a health care campus in Munster, new warehouse and distribution facilities in Merrillville and Lowell, improvements to the Gary/Chicago International Airport, planning for the reuse of the Indiana State Prison site in Michigan City, and numerous local job training programs, among other initiatives.
"Almost every conversation I have with a company, whether an established Hoosier business or a new company coming to the state, begins and ends with workforce. READI is an essential component for the state retaining and growing our population and workforce talent," said Indiana Commerce Secretary David Rosenberg.
"Under the governor’s leadership, Indiana is investing an historic $1 billion to build vibrant and healthy communities that attract top talent, support families, cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship, and catalyze continued economic and job growth. Companies around the world are taking notice of this program, and the General Assembly's investment in these areas has unquestionably been a business retention and attraction tool."
The Region may be in line for even more money in the months ahead. Holcomb announced in his "State of the State" address in January that the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment is making an additional $250 million available to Indiana regions through READI to support projects targeting blight reduction and redevelopment, and efforts to enhance Indiana's arts and culture ecosystem.
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, in particular, has expressed interest in obtaining extra money for blight elimination in the Steel City. Ennis said the Forum is "working to capture a large portion" of those additional Lilly Endowment funds.
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