Wabash receives $3 million grant from state for housing project that could help revitalize its downtown

David Friese Nelson, Editor, Wabash Plain Dealter

Friday, October 10, 2025 12:06 PM

WABASH — The state announced a $3 million grant last week for a housing project that would help revitalize a portion of downtown Wabash.

The project was one of 17 initiatives aimed at eliminating blight throughout the state announced by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) board of directors.

All totaled, it is a $131 million investment to support Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) projects supported by a $250 million Lilly Endowment.

Wabash officials seek to partner with developers, lenders, nonprofits, and private investors to launch a potential $25 million project to address the continued housing shortage in the community.

Specifically, the newest grant would be earmarked for a complex with 100 market rate apartments along the Wabash River on East Fulton Street. The site, a former automotive junkyard, is in final stages of cleanup and ground is expected to be broken by early 2026, according Wabash Grow President and CEO Tenille Zartman.

Also in the planning stages are 12 to 16 row houses to be built along East Market St. It is a block previously occupied by blighted homes.

Revitalizing underutilized, blighted areas into vibrant residential spaces close to amenities like an outdoor gym, bike park, trails and kayak rentals will enhance local quality of life in Wabash, according municipal leadership.

Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Adams said the developments will stimulate economic growth by attracting new residents and businesses, increasing local spending, and boosting property values.

“We were thrilled with this announcement from the state,” added Zartman. “This is a project we have been working on the last several years and had applied for the grant more than a year ago.”

Wabash Mayor Scott Long said the issue of additional housing – including within downtown’s Cultural District – has been a primary topic of conversation among civic leaders for many years.

“More and more communities are adding apartment living to their downtowns. It’s an essential element to attract millennials and keep them in a community,” added Long.

READI was launched in 2021 by previous Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and IEDC to foster regional collaboration and strategic investments to accelerate economic and population growth.

“Indiana’s greatest strength is its people, and READI is proof that when communities lead, real transformation follows,” said Indiana Governor Mike Braun. “These Lilly Endowment investments are not just cleaning up blight – they’re opening doors to new housing, jobs, and opportunities that will keep more Hoosiers living and thriving here at home. We’re building on what works: region-owned growth, supported by the state, to create lasting impact for every corner of Indiana.”

The downtown development plan comes on the heels of a recent newly developed housing on the eastside of Wabash, Legacy Heights. The 44 mixed-unit housing development made possible by the collaborative efforts of government, philanthropy, and local leadership. The homes are constructed by Decatur-based Ideal Builders and being sold through realtors Lundquist Appraisals & Real Estate of Wabash.

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Editor, John C. DePrez Jr.; Executive Editor, Carol Rogers; Publishers: IBRC