Request for proposals open for South Bend – Elkhart Region READI 2.0 award

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority and the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership announced they've opened the Request for Proposal for the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0) award.

The submission portal is online now, and applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 30.

Applicants must attend one of three workshops held in the region.

• St. Joseph County -- July 30, St. Joseph County Public Library Community Learning Center
• Marshall County -- August 6, The REES Theatre
• Elkhart County -- August 8, Elkhart Health and Aquatics

Via the Indiana Economic Development Corporation website, state officials say this about READI 2.0:

"Through this initiative, the state will encourage neighboring counties, cities and towns to partner to create a shared vision for their future, mapping out the programs, initiatives and projects that are critical for them to retain talent today and attract the workforce of tomorrow."

The South Bend - Elkhart region was one of six regions awarded $45 million from the Indiana IEDC in April.

Other awards ranged from $10 million to $35 million.

Gov. Eric Holcomb included $500 million in READI 2.0 funds as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda and it was approved by the Indiana General Assembly in the 2023 legislative session.