Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that the state has awarded $45 million to the region of St. Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall counties from its READI 2.0 grants for brick-and-mortar projects that boost “quality of place and quality of life initiatives.”
Next up, the region will identify projects where it will channel the money.
It was among $500 million that the state awarded to 15 regions covering all 92 counties. The awards were approved Thursday by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. READI is the Indiana Regional Acceleration and Development Initiative. Its 2.0 version was part of the governor’s 2023 Next Level Agenda and was approved by the Indiana General Assembly.
The 15 regions are also eligible to apply for a piece of an additional $250 million from the Lilly Endowment Inc. for projects that target blight reduction and redevelopment and that enhance arts and culture.
South Bend-Elkhart, as the local three-county region is called, was among six regions that were awarded $45 million each. Other awards ranged from $10 million to $35 million.
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