All eight counties served by Tipmont were among those to receive a total of $80 million in grant funding from the State of Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).
Announced in December 2021, the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grants will put a total of $500 million statewide toward economic growth efforts. This is expected to generate additional public and private investment toward an acceleration of rural economic growth in the communities we serve.
The Greater Lafayette region application — including such Tipmont-served counties as Tippecanoe, Fountain, Benton, White and Carroll — received $30 million, the second-highest regional allocation.
“With the state awarding us the second-highest regional allocation, it reinforces that our region has already proven it can and will succeed,” says Jody Hamilton, external affairs director for Tipmont. “The $30 million is just the start, and the economic impact will be much greater.”
Meanwhile, The North Central Regional Planning Commission (including Clinton County) also received $30 million, while the 180 Alliance (including Boone and Montgomery counties) received $20 million.
Among the regional goals are attracting new industries and workers, developing new affordable housing, enhancing broadband availability, restoring commercial air service, increasing population, and raising per capita income.
With greater collaboration and the focus on increasing population, labor force and new industry, “this gives us the opportunity to provide more electric and broadband as the region grows,” Hamilton says.
To learn more about the READI program, please visit https://www.iedc.in.gov/program/indiana-readi/.
