Northeast Indiana Accepting Project, Program Proposals for READI Program Application
June 27, 2021
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Local economic development officials in Northeast Indiana’s 11 counties are accepting project and program proposals for the region’s application for Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) Program funding until July 16.
Project and program organizers are asked to submit their project for consideration through an online form and share details about the project or program including the vision, regional impact and funding breakdown. Additionally, the proposal form requests information on how the project or program submission aligns with pre-identified categories of economic impact for the region’s application. These categories include:
Grow the Workforce
Downtown Vibrancy
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Projects and programs must be submitted to the local economic development office where the project or program is located to be considered in Northeast Indiana’s READI Program application. For projects or programs that have a regional scope or that impact multiple counties, the Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) board and Local Economic Development Organization (LEDO) Council will review the application for consideration in the overall plan.
Northeast Indiana RDA Board President Gene Donaghy said while project and program proposals will be accepted on an ongoing basis, in order to be included in the Regional Development Plan—the official plan application to IEDC—proposals must be submitted through the online form by July 16.
“We understand this is a quick turnaround. It’s also a transformational opportunity for our region. By joining together to develop an excellent economic plan for Northeast Indiana, we can build on the success of the Regional Cities Initiative. That’s why we are encouraging local leaders to submit creative and impactful project and program proposals by July 16 and connect with local economic developers for any questions or assistance on the process,” noted Donaghy.
The RDA also finalized an agreement with TIP Strategies, a nationally-recognized consulting firm hired to develop the application collaboratively with the RDA, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, local economic development organizations and other regional partners. Greater Fort Wayne Inc. identified TIP Strategies based on the organization’s work with the firm on an Economic Development Action Plan for the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County.
All project and program proposals are confidential and considered preliminary until finalized and presented to the RDA board. This is an extremely competitive process and there is no guarantee that all project or program proposals will be included in the plan. Further, if a project or program proposal is included in the regional plan, that does not ensure READI program funding. If a project or program proposal is not included in the plan, that does not prevent the project or program from receiving READI program funding.
To access the online project or program proposal online forms, please visit the website at www.neindiana.com/rda or reach out to Grow Wabash County by calling 260-563-5258 or emailing info@growwabashcounty.com.