The Northwest Indiana Forum was awarded $45 million in funding from the READI 2.0 program.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced the award amounts April 11. Fifteen regions vied for $500 million in funding for quality of place and quality of life initiatives in a second round of the Indiana Regional Acceleration and Development Initiative. Gov. Eric Holcomb launched the program in 2021 with $500 million allocated by the General Assembly.
“This is another huge win for Northwest Indiana,” said Heather Ennis, president and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum. “We have spent the last 10 years continuing to drive cooperation and progress throughout the Region. With hard work being done by many, these funds will continue to IGNITE the Region for generations to come.”
The Forum was among several to take home the largest amount. Other regions that received the $45 million amount included: Central Indiana, Northeast, Our Southern Indiana, South Bend-Elkhart, and Southwest.
The Lilly Foundation also plans to award $250 million for arts, culture and urban renewal projects.
The Forum received the maximum amount of $50 million from READI 1.0. The funds were used to invest in 38 projects that led to more than $700 million in total investment.
The Forum has already identified 91 projects in its seven-county Region of Lake, LaPorte, Porter, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke, that will be considered for READI 2.0 funding.
Caption: Gov. Eric Holcomb was happy to announce the Northwest Indiana Forum's $45 million share of READI 2.0 funds. (Provided by NWI Forum)
