Northeast Indiana has reached a major milestone in the implementation of the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, with 100% of the region’s READI 1.0 funding now disbursed. With all awarded funds distributed, Northeast Indiana is now moving into the formal closeout phase of the program, marking the completion of a multi-year effort to advance transformational quality-of-place, workforce, education, and economic development projects throughout the region.
READI 1.0 has supported projects across Northeast Indiana that are strengthening communities, building talent pipelines, and creating new opportunities for residents and employers. As the region closes out the program, several projects illustrate the range and long-term impact of these investments.
Two significant READI investments have helped expand healthcare education and training opportunities across Northeast Indiana. In Angola, the Cameron Health Innovation & Education Center is creating new opportunities for healthcare education, workforce development, and collaboration in Steuben County. In Fort Wayne, Trine University’s College of Health Professions is expanding the region’s capacity to educate and train future healthcare professionals through new academic programming and modern training facilities. Together, these investments strengthen Northeast Indiana’s healthcare talent pipeline and help connect students with high-demand career opportunities while supporting the long-term workforce needs of regional healthcare employers.
READI 1.0 also supported the Fairview Project through the IMPACT Institute, which expands welding education and training opportunities. The project will allow IMPACT Institute to increase the capacity of its welding program and provide additional students with access to hands-on technical education connected directly to regional employer needs. Investments such as Fairview demonstrate how READI funding can strengthen both individual career pathways and the broader advanced manufacturing workforce that remains central to Northeast Indiana’s economy.
Reaching 100% disbursement represents an important administrative milestone as well. Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and Regional Development Authority staff will now focus on completing remaining closeout requirements, documentation, and reporting associated with READI 1.0. The completion of the disbursement process reflects several years of coordination among project owners, local communities, regional partners, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
At the same time, NEI staff are beginning work on the region’s next set of investment opportunities. Staff have started reviewing potential applications for the Regional Redevelopment Tax Credit and Small Town Opportunity Initiative and have already conducted approximately 20 project meetings with communities and prospective applicants from across Northeast Indiana.
Based on those conversations and the projects currently advancing through the review process, NEI anticipates receiving up to 10 submitted applications during the current application cycle. Staff will continue working with potential applicants to evaluate eligibility, readiness, regional impact, and alignment with program requirements before projects move forward for formal consideration.
The transition from READI 1.0 closeout to these new investment tools represents a continuation of Northeast Indiana’s regional approach: identifying strong projects, aligning resources with community priorities, and working collaboratively to position the region for long-term growth.
