Jane Hays, administrative assistant to Seymour Mayor Matt Nicholson, unveiled the amount of Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0) funds awarded to the South Central Indiana Talent Region Thursday during a meeting of Seymour Board of Public Works and Safety.

The region — which includes Jackson, Jennings and Bartholomew counties and the town of Edinburgh — had requested $75 million in funding and was awarded $30 million. The region also was awarded $30 million in the initiative’s first round in 2022.

Per a report by Kevin Gabbard, president of the Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (JCIDC), the future of of READI 2.0 funds being used in Jackson County were in jeopardy in advance of the mid-April READI awards as a result of several issues being raised in the community regarding the Brookings Institution Study.

According to a news release by the South Central Indiana Talent Region, recent concern about the study and the action of Seymour’s city council not to accept the plan has resulted in any project referenced in that report such as workforce development with Vincennes University and entrepreneurship with the Jackson County Chamber not being eligible to receive any public funding via city match and as a result cannot be included in READI projects unless other public funding is secured. Public match dollars are a requirement of the READI 2.0 program.

Although state financing was intended for READI 1.0, the majority of the money ultimately came from federal American Rescue Plan funds, which had certain restrictions, said Jackson County Chamber director Dan Robison.

According to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s website, the South Central Indiana Talent Region’s goals for the proposed projects with READI 2.0 funds this year are to “inspire and cultivate collaboration among companies and communities to build powerful technologies, prosperous communities and a resilient future by focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, education and workforce development, housing and quality of place.”

Prior uses of READI funds include the Jackson County Learning Center’s class expansion (which had a total budget of $1.84 million, of which $480,000 came from READI funds); Schneck Medical Center’s renovation of a third-floor in-patient nursing unit, which was funded by a $1,040,001 READI grant; and North Vernon, which hadn’t seen significant residential development in more than 30 years, using a $3.1 million READI grant to develop the Heritage Estates subdivision.

Dan Davis, president of the Jackson County Community Foundation, said in March the Jackson County prospective project list submitted to state officials included housing projects in Brownstown and Seymour; an expansion of the Vincennes University maintenance training program at the Jackson County Learning Center; construction of new grandstands at the Jackson County Fairgrounds; renovation of existing buildings for use as a coworking/business incubator site and a welcome center in Seymour; a potential blight elimination hotel project at Interstate 65 and Tipton Street; and infrastructure and utility extensions to support employer sites on Seymour’s east side.

“Indiana is leading the way in future-focused investments in our economy and in our communities, ensuring that all Hoosiers of today and tomorrow have the opportunity to prosper,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said Thursday. “READI has already resulted in more than $12.6 billion invested in quality of place and quality of life assets. The second iteration of the initiative – READI 2.0 – along with additional committed investments from the Lilly Endowment, will bring billions more to Hoosier neighborhoods, preparing communities, industry and talent for the next generation and beyond.”

Local legislators applauded Holcomb’s announcement.

“Through the READI program, Indiana’s investment in its communities continues to pay big dividends. These public-private partnerships have spurred amazing growth throughout the state and in our region, and this new funding will help continue that momentum,” said District 62 state Rep. Dave Hall, R-Norman

“Small and large employers continuously voice concerns about their ability to find and retain workers. Through READI grants, we can more quickly expand our efforts to improve workforce development and address other needs like infrastructure and housing. I look forward to seeing local projects deliver results for all those who call our region home,” said state District 69 Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour.

“Our part of the state has seen tremendous growth in innovation and workforce development. Indiana’s investments through the READI grants will focus on the quality of life here so that this region will continue to attract skilled workers,” said state District 65 Rep. Chris May, R-Bedford.