BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington will receive $1.9 million in grant funding through the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program.
The investment, which affects innovative infrastructure, was reviewed and approved by the Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The Indiana Uplands is an 11-county region encompassing Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to improve Bloomington’s sewer infrastructure, and we’ll move quickly to build the project,” said Vic Kelson, Director of City of Bloomington Utilities.
These funds are designated for an Infrastructure Project with the City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU), that will benefit not only Monroe, but Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Morgan, and Owen Counties. CBU will use READI funding to replace 1,570 feet of clay sewer pipe, improving flow from South Patterson and downstream along an arterial corridor. This improvement creates increased manufacturing opportunities, including expansion at Catalent, which is advantageous to employers looking to expand and create job opportunities.
“It is exciting to see investments in Bloomington,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “Those of us that live and work in Bloomington invest in this city every day, and having that recognized with state grant funding and jobs is a fitting complement to our work.”
About the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) in the Indiana Uplands
In May 2021, Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) launched the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a transformational initiative with $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments to make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.
Seventeen regions, including the Indiana Uplands, developed plans that outline strategies focused on improving the quality of place, quality of life, and quality of opportunity. The Indiana Uplands plan, entitled “A Region on the Rise,” can be accessed on the ROI website at: regionalopportunityinc.org/readi
For more information and announcements on Indiana Uplands READI projects, please visit: regionalopportunityinc.org/readi-projects
About the Indiana Uplands
The Indiana Uplands is an 11-county region encompassing Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties. In a region replete with talent and resources, it is home to Naval Support Activity Crane, the third-largest Naval Installation in the world; the number one small Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for specialized employment in the medical devices and equipment category and 4th for drugs and pharmaceuticals; and an automotive and heavy manufacturing cluster that has grown by more than 93% since 2012. Uplanders—from students to visionaries, artisans to entrepreneurs – call these 11 counties home. Learn more at inuplands.org.
About Regional Opportunity Initiatives
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is serving as the Indiana Uplands region intermediary for the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). ROI is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance economic and community prosperity in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties). ROI’s mission is to grow potential and possibility in the Uplands through a focus on advanced industry sectors, regionalism, transformative school and workforce redesign, and placemaking strategies. Learn more at regionalopportunityinc.org. Read about all Indiana Uplands READI commitments at https://bton.in/or7Qz
