Celebrating READI 1.0 Milestone

Celebrating READI 1.0 Milestone

Greensburg Mayor Joshua Marsh presented the Spirit of Regionalism to Decatur County Community Foundation Executive Director Tami Wenning at the ARI State of the Region event. (Provided Photo) (Greensburg, IN) – Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI) has officially disbursed 100% of its $20 million READI 1.0 award, marking the completion of the region’s first round of READI investment and setting the stage for continued growth through READI 2.0. Regional leaders and partners recently gathered at the Love Community Center in Rushville for the ARI State of the Region event to celebrate the milestone, recognize the partnerships that helped move projects forward and highlight the next round of investment already taking shape throughout the region. READI—Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative—provides state funding designed to leverage local and private investment and advance transformational quality-of-place, quality-of-life and economic development projects. From left, Heritage Hill Events co-founder Evan Manship, Mayor Joshua Marsh, Greensburg Public Projects Director Zach Wirrig and Greensburg/Decatur County Economic Development Director Bryan Robbins. (Provided Photo) In Greensburg, READI 1.0 funding supported several projects that have made a visible impact throughout the community, including Building Bridges Inclusion Park, Liberty Lakes, Pirate Park and improvements to Franklin and Washington streets. “READI has given our communities an opportunity to think bigger about the projects that can shape our region for years to come,” Mayor Joshua Marsh said. “We’ve already seen the impact of that investment here in Greensburg, and the collaboration behind these projects has been just as important. READI 1.0 showed what we can accomplish when our communities work together, and we’re excited to carry that momentum into the next round of projects.” During the event, Mayor Marsh presented the inaugural Spirit of Regionalism Award to Tami Wenning, Executive Director of the Decatur County Community Foundation. Before ARI established its Regional Development Authority, Wenning and the DCCF board helped manage and distribute READI 1.0 funds, providing critical support during the regional partnership’s formative years. Bryan Robbins, Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur County and Chair of the ARI Regional Development Authority, reflected on the progress made through READI 1.0 while outlining the opportunities and investments already taking shape through READI 2.0. Building on READI 1.0 With READI 1.0 funding fully disbursed, ARI is moving forward with its next round of investment. The region was awarded an additional $30 million through READI 2.0 in April 2024, including $9.1 million allocated to six projects in Greensburg and Decatur County (pictured). The next phase also includes an effort to breathe new life into former school buildings throughout the region. Greensburg Community Schools Superintendent Tom Hunter and Heritage Hill Events Co-Founder Evan Manship represented Greensburg during a State of the Region panel focused on the Rural Schools Reimagined initiative and the opportunities presented by former school properties. In Greensburg, that work includes plans to restore and repurpose the former St. Mary’s School, creating a new use for a building with deep ties to the community. In addition to the $30 million READI 2.0 award, ARI received $8.6 million in additional support from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc., to support blight remediation and arts and culture initiatives across the region. Of that funding, $3.2 million will support Rural Schools Reimagined, an initiative focused on revitalizing seven historic school buildings and sites throughout the ARI region. The completion of READI 1.0 represents one chapter of that regional effort, while projects supported through READI 2.0 and additional investment are already moving forward. To learn more about Accelerate Rural Indiana and READI investments throughout the region, visit accelerateruralindiana.com. (City of Greensburg press release)