Wabash River RDA Awarded $10 Million in READI 2.0 Funds by IEDC

Left to Right: Josh Alsip, RDA; Jon Holloway, A and J Developers, LLC; Nick McCollum, Clay County Chamber of Commerce; Ryan Keller, Thrive West Central; Julie Hart, Thrive West Central; Austin Staley, A and J Developers, LLC; Michele Barrett, Thrive West Central; Shellina Shearer, Clay County Chamber of Commerce; Richard Shagley, Wright, Shagley, Lowery; Heidi Young, IEDC.
Regional

The Wabash River Regional Development Authority (RDA) announces that it has been awarded a grant of $10 million in READI 2.0 funds by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). This funding marks a milestone for the Wabash River RDA and highlights the commitment of both organizations to advance economic development and growth in the region.

In 2021, the Wabash River RDA received a transformative grant of $20 million through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), setting the stage for ambitious projects and collaborative ventures aimed at driving economic progress across the region.

READI 2.0, approved in fall 2023, represents a continuation of Indiana's commitment to supporting regional economic development endeavors. With an allocation of $500 million earmarked for statewide initiatives, READI 2.0 aims to catalyze innovation, create jobs, and enhance quality of life for Hoosiers.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation's approach to READI 2.0 prioritized regional strategies over individual projects. The Wabash River RDA accepted applications from project stakeholders that met and advanced their priorities. Next, the RDA will work alongside the IEDC to evaluate and choose transformational projects.

“It is more important now than ever before to use these dollars to leverage the most private/public funds possible to remain competitive in opportunities such as READI. It is evident that private investment leverages played an integral role in today’s announcement,” stated Jon Ford, President of the Wabash River RDA. "This allocation from IEDC will enable us to continue our mission of driving economic growth and prosperity and continue to focus on our priorities of early childhood education, educational attainment & workforce training, housing, and destination & recreational development in the Wabash River region."

The Wabash River RDA looks forward to leveraging the READI 2.0 funds to advance strategic initiatives that will further propel the region's economic development trajectory and enhance the well-being of its residents.

For more information on the Wabash River RDA READI 2.0, please visit https://www.wabashriverrda.com/. The webpage will be continually updated to provide stakeholders and the community with the latest information on this initiative.

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More information on Wabash River RDA >

More information on READI >

Read READI 2.0 Executive Summary >

Media Contact:
Danielle Isbell
Senior Director of Public Relations and Community Engagement
RJL Solutions
disbell@rjlsolutions.com
(812) 239-0498

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