The Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority recently awarded $42.5 million in READI 2.0 grant funds to 13 projects.
More than 50 projects applied, totaling more than $250 million requested, for the funding.
“READI 2.0 is an incredible opportunity for the region to build on the successes of READI 1.0 and Regional Cities funding,” said John DeSalle, Regional Development Authority chair, in a press release. “With this batch of projects selected for funding, I expect we will see many of our region’s greatest needs addressed.”
The projects receiving READI funding include:
- Culver Community Youth Center (Culver, Marshall County), $300,000
A new Culver Community Youth Center facility aims to enhance and increase availability of daycare and after school and summer care for youth. - Tri-County Workforce Home Ownership Initiative (Region-wide), $4.1 million
Habitat for Humanity affiliates in St. Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall counties will construct 126 homes for households earning 120% or less of the area median income. - Michigan & Monroe Arts District (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $3.7 million
The Michigan & Monroe Arts District project aims to restore the arts district’s economic vitality, redeveloping historic buildings and constructing new housing. - Cherry Creek (Goshen, Elkhart County), $4.5 million
Cherry Creek plans include a walkable mixed-use housing neighborhood with flexible housing on 170 acres. - Bremen GROWTH Project – Greenway, Recreation Center, Opportunities for Wage Growth, & Transformational Housing (Bremen, Marshall County), $3.737 million
Bremen GROWTH provides for a 3-mile greenway trail connecting parks to development sites, a recreation center and new housing developments. - Master Plan Phase 3 – Big Cat Tracks (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $1 million
Thd newest capital project at the Potawatomi Zoo will be an Amur tiger and leopard habitat. - 100 Center Historic Revitalization Project (Mishawaka, St. Joseph County), $5.64 million
The funding will be used to revitalize the “100 Center”, originally the Kamm Schellinger Brewery built in 1853, in Mishawaka’s brewing and entertainment district, into a mixed-use development. - YMCA Childcare Network (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $220,000
The YMCA of Greater Michiana Childcare Network will repurpose 6,000 sq. ft. of the shuttered HealthWorks! Kid’s Museum into a full-day childcare center. - Elkhart River District 2.0 (Elkhart, Elkhart County), $9.5 million
The funding will be used to generate up to 284 new residences, 60,000 square-feet of office and retail space and more than $1 million in public art. - Riverfront West (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $5.64 million
The Riverfront West development aims to create over 400 rental units on the St. Joseph River, transforming a defunct office park into an urban area. - Western Avenue Transformation District (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $3.61 million
The Western Avenue Transformation District will be a new 208 unit, mixed-income community with green spaces and amenities. - Heartland Arts Center Expansion Project (Plymouth, Marshall County), $500,000
The Heartland Arts Center Expansion Project will convert Plymouth’s historic Montgomery Ward building into a regional arts hub. - New Carlisle 2.0 (New Carlisle, St. Joseph County), $78,000
New Carlisle 2.0 will fulfill the Town’s goals of downtown revitalization and parks, recreation and open space enhancements.
Gov. Eric Holcomb included the additional $500 million in READI 2.0 funds as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda. In April 2024, the South Bend – Elkhart region was one of six regions awarded $45 million in READI 2.0 funds.
