$42 million awarded in South Bend - Elkhart Region READI Funds

The Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) awarded $42.5 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 grant funds to 13 projects during its meeting at Elkhart Health & Aquatics this afternoon. The grant funding will be leveraged to infuse an additional $613 million of total regional investments across the projects.

“READI 2.0 is an incredible opportunity for the region to build on the successes of READI 1.0 and Regional Cities funding,” said John DeSalle, Chair of the RDA. “We had more than 50 projects apply, totaling more than $250 million requested. With this batch of projects selected for funding, I expect we will see many of our region’s greatest needs addressed.”

The projects receiving READI funding in Marshall County include the Culver Community Youth Center. $300,000 will allow a new Culver Community Youth Center facility that will enhance and increase the availability of quality daycare and after-school and summer care for youth. The Town of Culver has added housing and made quality-of-life improvements to attract families, so providing more quality, affordable childcare is critical to retaining a strong workforce.

The Bremen GROWTH Project with Greenway, Recreation Center, and Transformational Housing received $3.737 million.  Bremen GROWTH provides a 3-mile greenway trail connecting parks to development sites, a recreation center to offer residents yearlong wellness opportunities, and the Town’s first new housing developments in over 20 years. This multi-site project addresses industry needs by catalyzing approximately 48 new rental units and 87 for-sale homes with a diverse range designed to attract new workers.

The Heartland Arts Center Expansion Project in Plymouth was granted $500,000.  The Heartland Arts Center Expansion Project will convert Plymouth's historic Montgomery Ward building into a regional arts hub. The three-floor renovation will feature galleries, studios, classrooms, offices, and an event space. The project preserves local heritage while advancing cultural growth, economic development, and community engagement through expanded arts programming. This transformation will establish the center as a key cultural destination for Plymouth and the surrounding region.

Other projects in the region receiving grants are on the GIANT fm WTCA website. 

• Tri-County Workforce Home Ownership Initiative (Region-wide), $4.1 million

Habitat for Humanity affiliates in St. Joseph, Elkhart, and Marshall counties will strategically construct 126 high-quality starter homes, for households earning 120 percent or less of the AMI (Area Median Income). This supports the region’s growth goals, as access to affordable workforce housing significantly boosts talent attraction and retention efforts.

• Michigan & Monroe Arts District (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $3.7 million

The Michigan & Monroe Arts District project’s focus is to restore the Arts District’s historical vibrancy and economic vitality while maintaining affordability and offering new amenities for the surrounding area on South Michigan Street, through redeveloping several historic buildings and constructing new housing.

• Cherry Creek (Goshen, Elkhart County), $4.5 million

Cherry Creek plans include a walkable mixed-use housing neighborhood with flexible housing on 170 acres. More than 1,200+ new homes will be built, along with a variety of mixed-use restaurants, retail businesses, and educational opportunities. Cherry Creek will bring a licensed childcare facility that will provide over 130 new slots for young children.

• Master Plan Phase 3 - Big Cat Tracks (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $1 million

Big Cat Tracks is the final project laid out in phase three of the Potawatomi Zoo’s Master Plan. This newest capital project will be a state-of-the-art Amur tiger and leopard habitat – the first expansion in the Zoo’s history, incorporating 2 additional acres. As a modern destination zoo, this unique experience integrates the existing landscape of the park, creating a naturalistic experience for not only the big cats, but also for visitors across our region.

• 100 Center Historic Revitalization Project (Mishawaka, St. Joseph County), $5.64 million

The "100 Center", originally the Kamm Schellinger Brewery built in 1853, is Mishawaka’s historic brewing and entertainment district. After 170 years, the $41.5 million redevelopment will revitalize the 180,800 SF complex into a mixed-use development featuring 104 residential units, 79,200 SF of commercial space, and 20 short-term rentals. The project includes restaurants, a live-music center, boutique shops, event space, and outdoor retail, creating 160 jobs and providing 85 daycare seats.           

• YMCA Childcare Network (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $220,000

The YMCA of Greater Michiana Childcare Network will repurpose 6,000 sq. ft. of the shuttered HealthWorks! Kid’s Museum into a full-day childcare center in the heart of downtown South Bend. Serving 62 youth ages infant to three years, the center will focus on quality and affordability, with a long-term goal of families paying no more than 10 percent of their annual income for care, ensuring equal childcare opportunities in our diverse community.

• Elkhart River District 2.0 (Elkhart, Elkhart County), $9.5 million

On the heels of success due to READI 1.0 investments, including 13 new leases, 6 relocations to downtown Elkhart and 8 new investments in the River District, this project is anticipated to generate up to 284 new residences, 60,000 square-feet of office and retail space, and more than $1 million in public art.

• Riverfront West (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $5.64 million

The Riverfront West development aims to create over 400 rental units on the St. Joseph River, transforming a defunct office park into a vibrant urban area. This redevelopment will revitalize the southern component of downtown South Bend, addressing the underutilization from past urban renewal efforts. It will enhance public access to the riverfront, building a connection via an existing pedestrian bridge to Howard Park, which was a Regional Cities project.

• Western Avenue Transformation District (South Bend, St. Joseph County), $3.61 million

The Western Avenue Transformation District will be a new, vibrant, 208 unit, mixed-income community with green spaces and high-quality amenities. It is strategically located near key city amenities, services, jobs, and public transportation, enhancing its potential impact. Its combination of affordable, workforce and market-rate units will be designed to meet the immediate need for walkable, affordable housing in downtown South Bend while fostering a vibrant, inclusive community of opportunity.

• New Carlisle 2.0 (New Carlisle, St. Joseph County), $78,000 

New Carlisle 2.0 will fulfill the Town's goals of downtown revitalization and parks, recreation and open space enhancements. This will feed into the region's goals of attracting new talent and entrepreneurship and improving the desirability of the Region. Renovating the existing tennis courts, building four pickleball courts and creating an ADA pathway are desired and planned amenities. The alley activation/beautification projects will improve ADA accessibility and provide outdoor social gathering spaces.

Gov. Eric Holcomb included the additional $500 million in READI 2.0 funds as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda. It was approved by the Indiana General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session. In April 2024, the South Bend – Elkhart region was one of six regions awarded $45 million in READI 2.0 funds. Other awards ranged from $10 million to $35 million. The RDA worked with the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership (Regional Partnership) on the project submission and award process.

In addition to the $500 million READI 2.0 funds, the Lilly Endowment gifted an additional $250 million towards a READI component targeting blight reduction as well as arts and culture. Of the funds, $185 million is allocated to the Blight Reduction & Redevelopment Initiative. Each region had the opportunity to submit four redevelopment projects to the IEDC for consideration. Two of these projects are projected to receive funding – the Benham Neighborhood Regeneration Initiative in Elkhart and the Westside Housing Revitalization project in South Bend. After suffering from decades of disinvestment, the Benham Neighborhood project focuses on building new affordable housing, revitalizing commercial hubs, and enhancing public spaces. The Westside Housing Revitalization project will create 500 new or renovated housing units in South Bend’s most blighted neighborhoods. This involves four selected sites that will transform the community with stable neighborhoods and conditions for private investment, just a short commute from new jobs brought by AWS and GM/Samsung.

“Our region has made great strides in addressing blight, but there’s still critical work to be done,” said Bethany Hartley, President and CEO of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership. “The READI 2.0 Blight Reduction and Redevelopment funding provides an invaluable opportunity to continue revitalizing underutilized spaces and transform them into assets that drive economic growth and community pride. By strategically investing in these areas, we can create vibrant neighborhoods, attract new businesses, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents across the South Bend – Elkhart region.”

Launched by Gov. Holcomb and led by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), READI encourages regional collaboration and data-driven, long-term planning that will attract and retain talent in Indiana. The South Bend – Elkhart region was the recipient of $50 million in READI 1.0 funds in 2021. In 2022, the RDA awarded $40 million to 17 of Quality of Place projects and $6.4 million in funding to 11 programs, resulting in an estimated $448 million in additional private and public investment. The full list of regional READI 1.0 projects can be found here.

For more information about the South Bend – Elkhart region’s READI grant, visit www.bit.ly/READIsbe.

To learn more about the READI grant program, visit www.IndianaREADI.com.