ELKHART, Ind. – On Wednesday, the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority awarded $42.5 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0 grant funds to 13 local projects during its meeting at Elkhart Health and Aquatics. 

“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 are:

• Culver Community Youth Center (Culver, Marshall County), $300,000A new Culver Community Youth Center facility will enhance and increase 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 retain a strong workforce.
• 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.
• Bremen GROWTH Project - Greenway, Recreation Center, Opportunities for Wage growth, & Transformational Housing (Bremen, Marshall County), $3.737 million
  Bremen GROWTH provides for a three-mile greenway trail connecting parks to development sites, a recreation center to offer resident 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 offering designed to attract new workers.
• 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 two 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, six relocations to downtown Elkhart and eight 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.
• Heartland Arts Center Expansion Project (Plymouth, Marshall County), $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.
• 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.

“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.”

Back in 2021, the South Bend – Elkhart region was awarded $50 million in READI 1.0 funds.

According to the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership, 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 online.