This project involves major road improvements to Second Street and Forest Street within the City of Peru to accommodate significant motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic generated from a new $16M YMCA facility and a future 170 multi-family commercial residential development along the Wabash River and Riverwalk Way in Peru. These road improvements would include the widening and realignment of streets to improve traffic flow as well as safety for motorists and pedestrians. In addition to a new and improved fitness and child care facility, the new YMCA also includes a 10,000 sq ft Urgent Care Facility operated by Logansport Memorial Hospital. The project includes: the reconstruction of the existing Forest Street extending from Main St to Maple St. The project scope includes: engineering, asphalt pavement, stormwater improvements, sidewalks and ramps and signage and pavement striping. The proposed project will begin in the fall of 2022. Construction will be completed by the fall of 2023 The City of Peru and Miami County Economic Development Authority will select the contractor through an open procurement process. The project will enhance community connectivity and walkability, promote healthily activities, and provide safe automobile and pedestrian travel. The project will immediately support the support the new 10,000 sq ft medical center; increase the capacity of the YMCA's child-care service; and the future development of 170 new housing units (including 36 senior units).

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003_Peru Riverfront_Big Check

Howard County, City of Kokomo, Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance and Howard County CVC seek to construct a 120-room hotel with an adjoining 40,000 sq ft conference center. The hotel will be operated by a private developer and the conference center will be operated by the City of Kokomo. The facility will be located in the City’s tourism district and will take approximately two years to complete. The conference center will include space that can be used for conferences, exhibitions, meetings and social events and will also have space available to house the Kokomo Automotive Museum collection of historic automobiles. The City of Kokomo has ownership and control of the land being made available for this development opportunity. This project will develop an underutilized vacant lot within the downtown. The READI funds will be used for the construction of the facility. The City of Kokomo has committed $3 million, Howard County Convention and Visitors Commission has committed $1.5 million, Howard County has committed $500,000 and a private developer has committed $20.8 million to the project. The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance is negotiating with a private developer to invest $20.8 million in the project. The project was publicly bid and has an estimated completion date 12/31/2025. The project was delayed by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

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004_Hotel & Confernece Center_Architectural Designs_1

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004_Hotel & conference Center_Under Construction

Howard County has entered into a contract with Berry Comm to build and manage an estimated 53-mile fiber optic ring to provide 100G service throughout the county. The project will include a fiber backbone within each build-out area. An estimated 300 miles of lateral will be built to reach rural communities. The ring will provide a secure network for existing rural broadband companies to offer services at 100/20mbps. The proposed ring will 40% aerial and 60% underground construction. Howard County completed an open procurement process and selected BerryComm as the most responsive bidder. BerryComm will engineer and construct the network. The project will provide approximately 3,000 households, 5 schools and 250 businesses access to 100 Mbps.

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006_Howard County Broadband_Big Check

During Covid, Cass County realized that there were many residents, and businesses without reliable internet.  As a way to start solving the digital divide, Cass County became one of the first twenty counties in the State of Indiana to become a "Certified Broadband Ready" Community through the State of Indiana Broadband.  They then used their Cares Act money to install a $1.8M,117 mile fiber ring around the county's borders.  This Broadband project will create digital inclusion for all Cass County residents by building an affordable, scalable, reliable fiber network. The estimated 203-mile network will connect approximately 2,213 homes with hard fiber direct to the homes, and allow the fiber ring to be redundant.  The up/down speeds will be 1G/1G. The project was originally proposed in 5 phases, at $4,445,000, to allow the county to start the project in pieces using CEDIT and ARPA funds, but with the help of READI, all five phases can be completed.

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007_Cass County Broadband_Big Check

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007 Cass County Broadband 2

Ivy Tech Community College - Kokomo is collaborating with the City of Kokomo, Howard County and other regional partners to design, build and equip an Industry 4.0 Training Lab. The 4.0 Training Lab will include several stand-alone Smart Manufacturing and Digital Integration trainers as well as a training cell with full scale robots, an additive manufacturing unit, and a CNC unit. The cell will replicate a manufacturing production line in a Technology 4.0 manufacturing facility. This project will help the region recover and become more resilient as it will train current and future workers to work in Industry 4.0 systems. Providing this training will equip participants to work on various advanced manufacturing positions, which will increase the number of skilled individuals qualified to work in the advanced manufacturing sector. Additionally, the training of a generation of new employees will support the economic resiliency of the region.

The program is scheduled to start in the fall of 2023. Local public funds will cover the construction/infrastructure and some equipment. READI funds will  purchase full scale robots for the lab.

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008_Ivy Tech Training Lab_1

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008_Ivy Tech Training Lab_3

To facilitate the development of the interchange at US 31 & SR 28, the City of Tipton, Tipton County and Tipton Municipal Utilities seek to modify drinking water facilities and extend wastewater services along the 5-mile corridor of SR 28. An existing wastewater treatment facility at the interchange is near capacity. The plan is to divert current and future wastewater flows to the City's treatment plant which has ample capacity. The drinking water improvements will include additional storage capacity, improving water pressure issues and enhance fire fighting capabilities. The current level of service is adequate for the next 1 to 3 years. The project will be competitively bid in early 2023 with an estimated 12 month construction period. READI funds will be used to extended wastewater infrastructure and improve the drinking water system. The proposed project will allow the community to be poised for growth over the next 20 years.  There is currently a 72-acre development in the project area which will include industrial, commercial/retail and a 300-residential home development. The improvements described above will allow for these developments and continued growth within Tipton County.

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010_Tipton Project_Infrastructure_1

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010_Tipton Project_infrastructure_3

The Indiana University Kokomo's KEY Center for Innovation will help equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st century economy-namely the ability to innovate, collaborate, run state-of-the-art software, and apply data analytics and software solutions to real-world problems. Upskilling employees will directly serve the regional economy, making local industry competitive in a dynamic environment. Furthermore, local companies will be able to send their employees to Innovation Hall to earn micro-credentials. Innovation Hall will also work with businesses, industries and non-profit organizations to enhance their resiliency to ensure long-term sustainability. The proposed project will benefit current employers by developing a pipeline of new employees with skills and training  for new high-demand high-wage jobs. Employees will be prepared for new jobs in industries such as next generation automotive manufacturing. The state-of-the-art center will prepare students to enter the workforce with expertise in data analytics and with hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of disciplines. READI funds will be used to install the technology infrastructure, purchase equipment and furniture for the facility. Local funding from Indiana University Kokomo is committed to the physical build out the campus space. Innovation Hall is scheduled to open fall semester 2023.

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011_Innovation Hall Indiana University Kokomo_3

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011_Innovation Hall Indiana University Kokomo_1

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011_Innovation Hall Indiana University Kokomo_2

Howard County and Turning Point have developed a strategic approach to expand services to reach those impacted by the pandemic and dealing with domestic violence, substance abuse, suicide, self-harm or other general mental health issues. The Turning Point Drop-in Center will enhance the capacity of the service providers to receive and treat victims and families of domestic violence, those suffering from substance abuse and those who may harm themselves by adding additional counselors and establishing more treatment programs. Mental health and substance use are a regional issue and top priority of the region's largest employers. The Drop-in Center will include a Recovery Treatment and Housing Navigators in Howard County and a System of Care Navigator in Clinton. The services will be available to residents within Clinton, Howard, Tipton and Miami counties. The READI funds will cover the expense of staff salaries and programs through November 2026. The Center will increase awareness of opportunities to recover from addiction; reduce overdose and deaths within the region; provide treatment and ongoing support for the region's workforce suffering from mental health and addiction to return back to work. Howard County has committed $2 million to the success of the Drop-in Center and the Lilly Endowment awared $4.9 million to the project.

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0064_RSC - Entrance Turning Point

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0064_Turning Point_Big Check

The proposed project will install new sanitary sewer, stormwater sewer and drinking water infrastructure to create 52 median market single-family homes on current city-owned property within the city's eastern most commercial district.  The project will help to bridge a gap in the current housing market. The project neighborhood will allow for easy access by foot or bicycle to restaurants and shopping and is a key development area for median market rate housing. The City is currently finalizing the developer agreement with construction to begin in 2023. The project is expected to be complete by December 2024. The READI funds will be for sanitary sewer, water and storm water improvements.  Local funding will be from a Residential TIF Bond, and free land.  The project responds directly to covid due to the increased cost of infrastructure.  The outcomes for this project will be increase in population and attract and retain talent by offering diverse housing and home ownership.

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071_Lexington Village_House Construction

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071_Lexington Village_Aerial View Along York St

The Meadowbrook project will provide water infrastructure in support of a 140 new housing units in the City of Frankfort. The City has a committed developer for the first phase implementation of 25  mid-market rate homes. The $1.5 million in READI funding will extend water infrastructure into the site to provide a connection point for site developers. The City of Frankfort will provide the public match - $1.5 million to complete water, wastewater, stormwater, broadband and roadway infrastructure. The private developer is currently completing the engineering and is committed to the project. The preliminary estimated private investment is approximately $8 million. The water infrastructure project will be publicly bid in the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2023 and construction will be complete by the end of 2024.

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The Roundhouse campus in the City of Frankfort is an 11 acre site primed for redevelopment to include: a hotel and conference center, and an outdoor greenspace. Phase one requires the removal of deteroriating structures and public hazards which have blighted the neighborhood and negatively impacted the economic revitalization of the area. The $250,000 READI funds will  complete the site demolition and return the property to greenspace available for future development. The City of Frankfort has commtted $225,000 in utility infrastructure improvements to serve the Roundhouse site and future development.  The City is negotiating with a hotel developer on a potential $9.2 million investment. The current condition of the Roundhouse site is a challenge. The site clean-up will be publicly bid late 2023 with work to be completed by 3rd quarter 2024. The proposed project will greatly improve the quality of life and economic vitality of this underutilized site.

As a part of the region's economic diversification strategy, Miami County seeks to leverage the state's longest runway, by rehabilitating the publicly owned tarmac adjacent to the runway. The tarmac is a community owned asset that helped to bring Dean Baldwin Painting, Arizona Isotopes and SpectronRX to the area. The rehabilitated tarmac will support these existing companies and jobs, as well as attract new businesses and industries to the Grissom Aeroplex. READI funds will be used to create the dual B747-8 taxi lane configuration within the Hanger 200 ramp. The project will allow aircraft to be "tugged" (transported) to and from Hanger 200 and enter the taxiway object free area. The READI funds will complete a 3" mill and overlay of the existing taxi lane; the establishment of a second taxi lane 258' east of the existing; spot repairs to the existing cement tarmac; and reconstruction of the trench drain system. The project will be publicly procured and is expected to begin 2nd quarter of 2023 and be completed by September 2023. Dean Baldwin was severely impacted by COVID due to the cutbacks of the airlines and is now starting to recover. The project will retain approximately 250 current jobs and support the expansion efforts of Baldwin Painting and provide logistical support for the nuclear medicine manufacturing companies which manufacture medical isotopes that require immediate transportation due to their short shelve-lives. MCEDA will provide $1M in TIF funds.

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The Apache Drive project will extend road segments from Apache Drive and Peach Tree to provide connection to SR14 & SR25, install stormwater drainage infrastructure, and construct new sidewalks from the County Meadows subdivision along SR14. READI funds will be used to  clear right of way and  excavation and construction of the new road, sidewalk and storm drainage (see scope of work). The new road segments will improve access to the County Meadows residential subdivision, the Peach Tree commercial and retail center, and enhance the safety of pedestrians and motorists along the SR14 corridor leading to Rochester Community Schools and to the new Youth Outlet community center. The new drainage infrastructure will convey stormwater from the roadway and future development. The new sidewalks will provide safe pedestrian travel to the schools and retail district. The proposed project is schedule to start in early 2023 and be completed by the fall of 2023. The City of Rochester, Fulton County and Rochester Community School Corporation are partnering on this critical infrastructure project. The City of Rochester will serve as the project lead and will competitively bid the project. The Apache Drive project will improve economic development opportunity along the corridor, with hotel and restaurant chains expressing an interest in the location. It also supports Farm Credit of Mid-America's recent $300,000 investment in land and future site development.

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187_Appache Drive_Big Check Prese

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187_Appache Drive Aerial_ Complete

Embracing Hope of Howard County seeks to redevelop and reuse a former school building into a Regional Cultural Center located in the City of Kokomo. The Cultural Center will create a relevant, regional resource that inspires and unites all generations while celebrating the contributions and successes of minority populations within the region. Initial programming will include educational, mentoring, arts/culture, and youth development activities. The Center will partner the region's K-12 schools, Ivy Tech Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo, Greater Kokomo Convention and Victors Bureau, Indiana Black Expo, NAACP, and other local non-profit organizations. The total project includes the structural and mechanical improvements to the 1919 structure. The $100,000 READI scope of work will address the plumbing improvements within the facility: excavation and removal of spoils and concrete, furnish and install underground plumbing, floor drain, cleanouts in restrooms, copper water piping, water heater with recirculating pump, toilets, urinals, mop sink, kitchen plumbing and outside hose bibs. The READI project will be publicly procured 3rd quarter of 2023 and completed by 2nd quarter 2024. The public match is from the City's property donation and private match is from multiple philanthropic organizations. All matching dollars are secured, committed and available for the project. The estimated annual attendance is 3,500. The Cultural Center will support diversity throughout the region.

The Silo Center is a quality of place, tourism attraction to support talent attraction and retention within Miami County and the region. READI funds will be used to expand water and wastewater infrastructure approximately 1 mile to serve the outdoor concert venue. The Silo Center will have the capacity to host up to 25,000 spectators for concerts, festivals and other arts and cultural related events. A private developer has committed $10,000,000 in private funding for the build out of the facility. Miami County has committed $450,000 in public funds for the infrastructure expansion. The water and wastewater project will go to bid in late 2nd quarter or early 3rd quarter 2023 with final construction to be completed spring of 2024. The Center will open for events spring of 2024.

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0221_Silo Center_1

The Urban Park project consists of quality of place amenities to support downtown housing and economic development opportunities within the City of Logansport. The City seeks to create a dynamic flexible greenspace for community gatherings and planned downtown events.  The READI funds will be used for public restrooms and associated utilities, sidewalks, walking paths and seating within the Park area. The public space and amenities will be adjacent to the proposed 30-unit market-rate multi-family housing development. The $6 million apartment building is a part of the City's in-fill strategy and Urban Park will help to attract young, working families to the downtown area. The City is completing a $17 million infrastructure project within the project area to better provide utility services. The proposed project is expected to go to bid May of 2023 and be completed by May 2025.

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223_ Urban Park_Depot _Exterior South Wall

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223_Urban Park Exterior Signal Bridge-sidewalks_Under Construction

The project is located between US31 and SR931 adjacent to the existing Stellantis' north Kokomo facility. The project involves major road improvements to CR 250N. The road improvements will support the StarPlus Energy (Stellantis and Samsung partnership) $2.5 billion investment to build an electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility. The new facility will create 1,400 new jobs and is expected open in early 2025. The City of Kokomo will invest $33.6 million in infrastructure improvements and property acquisition to support the new facility. The READI funds will construct the CR 250N to accommodate increased traffic volume and to ensure motor and pedestrian safety. The site is currently a greenfield. The project will be publicly bid in 2nd quarter of 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2nd quarter 2024. The proposed project will leverage shovel ready sites to strengthen the local and regional economies.

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Kokomo Industrial Park Sparks Road 5

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Kokomo Industrial Park Sparks Road 2

The Broadway Landing project will support the multi-use development, residential and commercial, in a 66-acre site along US 24 on the north side of Peru. The community has completed a hotel and housing study and is near completion of a health care study that indicate the proposed site is "perfect" for residential, commercial development and a potential site for new health care facilities. The $1 million in READI funding will extend water, sewer and road improvements approximately 2,500 feet into the site to provide a connection point for site developers. Miami County Economic Development Authority will provide the public match - $1 million to complete the infrastructure design and construction. The community is actively seeking site developers to build-out 85-90 new single-family homes and to build retail sites. Upon the completion of health care study, Miami County will pursue an attraction strategy for health care provider. The total private investment is estimated to be $70 million over the next 5 to 7 years. The water, sewer and road infrastructure project will be publicly bid 3rd quarter of 2023 and completed by the end of 2024.

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257_Broadway Landing_Under Construction

The Kokomo Speedway is a quality of place, tourism attraction facility that supports talent attraction and retention within Howard County and the region. READI funds will be used to purchase and replace the existing grandstands. The project will expand and improve seating capacity within the facility. During COVID, Howard County saw a 18% decline in travel and tourism. The project is essential to the economic recovery of the venue which hosts 20 events per year. The Speedway owner/operator has committed $500,000 to to improve facilities such as: grandstands and concession and restroom facilities. The City of Kokomo has committed $200,000 in public funds for public infrastructure improvements to be completed by mid-2024. The Speedway sought three quotes for the new grandstands. The grandstands will be installed upon the completion of the 2023 racing year, late 3rd or early 4th quarter 2023.

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258 Kokomo Speedway Grandstand Construction 1

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258 Kokomo Speedway Grandstand Construction 2

•	The $400,000 READI funds will be used for the installation of the elevator and the construction of office space on the second floor of the Iron Block Engagement and Innovation Hub. 
•	Anticipated construction start date is May 15, 2024, with a completion date of December 31, 2024. 
The Iron Block Engagement and Innovation Hub was designed to become an affordable office space for entrepreneurs. Matching funds will be contributed by Clinton County and the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce. The plans are to open up the second floor to create 4,500 sq ft of professional office spaces. To date, four businesses have launched out of the Iron Block and moved into their own buildings in our community. This has allowed for new tax revenue and job opportunities in Frankfort. Additionally, a forty-seat training/conference room will be available for our community, industry and academic partners. Finding meeting space for businesses and organizations in the community has been a challenge and this new training/conference center will help meet those needs.

France Park has seen a 100% increase in RV camping since Covid-19 (2020).  The need for full (water/sewer/ectric) RV hook-ups was quickly realized.  The park currently does not provide full RV hook-up sites. The READI funds will construct a new bridge across a creek that feeds the frequently visited water falls in the park  This new access via the bridge would enable access to 30 new full hook-up RV sites, a new pavillion with washroom and restrooms and  to one of the highest rated 24 hole disk golf course in the state. The local matching funds will cover the cost of the bridge, road improvements and additional infrastructure to the RV sites. The project will be designed in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2024. Construction will begin in the spring of 2025 with a late 2025 completion date. Matching contributors include Cass County and France Park Gate Fees.

The North Central Region connects its 226,519 residents to major cities like Indianapolis and Chicago via vital corridors like US-31, US-24, and I-65. It received a total of $30 million in READI 1.0 funds.

Region Overview:

North Central

List of Counties:

Projects in North Central