Ken De La Bastide, The Herald Bulletin
October 21, 2023
ANDERSON — The city of Anderson was awarded $1.5 million in the first round of funding through the state’s READI grants.
The initial funding for the program was provided through the American Rescue Plan.
Last December the Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced grants to 17 regions through the program.
The state was distributing $500 million to 17 regions for economic development projects.
Anderson Mayor Thomas J. Broderick Jr. said the funds will be used to relocate main water lines at Athletic and Edgewater parks. Both are to be completed by the end of 2024.
He said the first phase is the relocation of the water lines at Edgewater Park and the second phase is work at Athletic Park.
Broderick said state officials viewed the initial READI grant program as successful.
The state is providing an additional $500 million for a second round of READI grants to the various regions.
“We’re waiting for more guidelines from the state,” Broderick said. “The state is looking for regional collaboration.”
The original region included Madison, Hamilton and Marion counties and the towns of McCordsville and Zionsville.
“Our region continues to grow,” Broderick said.
Rob Sparks of the Corporation for Economic Development said the region, now including nine counties, will be seeking an expected share of $75 million.
“We are going to apply for funding,” Sparks said. “There is a different format and the allocation of funds will be more flexible.”
He said Madison County will be seeking funding for projects in Anderson, Elwood, Alexandria and Pendleton.
Sparks said the READI grants will provide up to 20% of the project costs based on the first round of funding.
“There will be a review process and determining what funding the region will apply for,” he said.
Sparks said the focus is on “Main Street” projects, with the state wanting funds to go to rural communities.
Madison County officials initially requested funding for projects including $1.6 million for utility relocation at Athletic Park; $700,000 to purchase a building at the Flagship Enterprise Center and for programing; and $600,000 for a spec building in Elwood and a new town hall in Summitville.
Only the city of Anderson received funding.