Indiana First includes the Southwest Indiana Development Council (SWIDC) counties of Knox, Daviess, Martin, Pike, Dubois, Orange, Crawford, Spencer, Perry, and Harrison. SWIDC was formed in 1996, but the current membership of counties has been planning and working together to improve the region through economic development since 2015. We are working together in pursuit of a $50 million grant from the state of Indiana’s READI program.
As a part of the proposal process, we are asking for project and program ideas that the Indiana First Task Force can review for potential inclusion in the final grant application. Submissions can represent projects or programs in various stages of development from conception to implementation. Information provided through the submission form will inform the Indiana First Regional Development Plan which we are required to prepare to participate in READI.
For questions related to specific programs or projects, please click the button below.
Contact UsIn May, Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) announced the launch of READI. This transformational initiative will dedicate $500 million in state appropriations to strategically advance quality of place and quality of life, innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent attraction within self-defined Indiana regions. Through READI, regional grants of up to $50 million will support projects and programs that help make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth. Regions will be required to provide matching dollars to leverage the potential of READI.
The READI Grant seeks to achieve the region’s goals while improving developments in the following focus areas:
All READI project and program submissions should demonstrate the ability to achieve one or more of these outcomes over the next 5-10 years.