State's READI program allocates $15 million to eight-county East Central Indiana Regional Partnership

RICHMOND — Wayne County will share $15 million from a state program to support regional development.

The eight-county East Central Indiana Regional Partnership to which Wayne County belongs received that allotment from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative. Seventeen state regions involving all 92 counties competed for $500 million from the state's American Rescue Plan Act money.

The awards, which ranged from $5 million to $50 million, were announced Tuesday and approved by the IEDC board of directors during a quarterly meeting at Butler University. The regions requested more than $1.5 billion for more than 800 programs that include a potential investment of $15.2 billion.

"The 17 regions submitted innovate, creative and visionary projects that will result in a positive economic impact on Indiana's future," Gov. Eric Holcomb said during the meeting. "It took immense collaboration between communities as they put aside their own visions and worked together to present the best plan for the region.

"These plans will shape Indiana for generations to come and bring value to our state like nothing we've witnessed before. I want to thank the general assembly for having the courage and leadership to prioritize this initiative."