READI region formally unveiled

Go east, young man?

No, it isn’t a misunderstanding of Horace Greeley’s call for westward expansion all those years ago, but as Putnam County looks to manifest its own economic destiny, it will be looking to the east for partnerships, rather than the west.

With the 180 Alliance Region formally established as a partnership between Boone, Hendricks, Johnson, Montgomery, Morgan and Putnam counties, the local community is part of a larger region with its sights set on “Indiana’s Next Chapter” in talent growth.

The alliance formally submitted its application to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for the READI initiative.

According to the IEDC, the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) will dedicate $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments that will make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.

The original plan was for the state to devote $50 million each to 10 different regions. However, on Monday, Greencastle/Putnam County Economic Development Director Kristin Clary told the Putnam County Commissioners the formula may change with 10 regions having applied.

She explained not only the reason for looking east, but also what is going on with the partnership so far and what it could mean to Putnam County.

“We just feel like moving east was better for us as suburban sprawl comes our way and those opportunities come from the east rather than the west,” Clary said.

Local projects could include a partnership with Clear Creek Conservancy District to expand wastewater service at Heritage Lake, housing divisions in the Greencastle area, parking in the DePauw University area and fixing a private road on the north side of Cloverdale near Interstate 70.

“We didn’t want to just be Greencastle-centric so we tried to analyze projects and go throughout the county,” Clary said.

The regional application places a high emphasis on downtown revitalization, outdoor amenities and arts and culture.

“The region’s downtowns are now being redefined as an epicenter for business and community building,” a release from the 180 Alliance said. “Quality outdoor amenities and public art initiatives have catapulted each town’s unique character drawing new residents and visitors each day.

“The 180 Alliance regional vision recognizes that while each community is in a different stage of development, they share the same values – directing growth while protecting the unique sense of place attributes that make these communities so attractive in the first place.

The alliance has partners with HWC Engineering, SB Research + Planning in developing the proposed application and regional vision.

On Monday, Commissioners Rick Woodall, Tom Helmer and David Berry voted unanimously to pay the county’s $7,500 share to HWC.

Additionally, the City of Greencastle is paying $5,000 toward a video the alliance will be producing.

Through the READI initiative, the state encouraged neighboring counties, cities, and towns to partner to create a shared vision for their future, mapping out the programs and projects that are critical for the region to retain talent today and attract the workforce of tomorrow.