$18M approved for northeast Indiana projects

Monday, August 15, 2022 03:47 PM EDT Updated: Monday, August 15, 2022 09:45 PM EDT
By Mary Roberts, Writer/Reporter
Fort Wayne International Airport Sign Large
(photo courtesy of Fort Wayne International Airport)

The Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority has approved $18 million in new Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative grants. The organization says the funding will be used for six projects in Allen, Huntington, Noble, and Wabash counties.

The RDA says the latest award accounts for more than 35% of its READI funds.

“Northeast Indiana is a hub of innovation and development,” said NEIRP Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Frijia. “These new grants will fund everything from an airport expansion and technical upgrades to affordable housing. This is just the beginning of the growth we have planned for our community.”

The projects are listed below:

  • Expansion of the Fort Wayne International Airport – $3 million to increase terminal square footage, provide access to larger aircrafts, and upgrade the mechanical system and air filtration.
  • Riverfront Phase II – $6 million to expand Promenade Park in downtown Fort Wayne by adding boat docks, a bouldering mound, walking trails, and a hammock grove.
  • Village Premier – $6 million for the housing community in southeast Fort Wayne that will feature upwards of 275 affordable units.
  • Legacy Heights – $2.4 million for the 52-unit workforce housing development in Wabash.
  • Industry 4.0/iSmart Factory Lab – $198,450 for the robotics lab in Kendallville, which will be used to train high school students and adults at the Community Learning Center.
  • Rivergreen Housing – $249,000 for the 48-unit apartment complex renovation project by Decatur-based Biggs Development.

“The Northeast region is a rapidly evolving area of the state,” said Vincent Ash, vice president of development at the Indiana Economic Development Corp. “This latest round of funding is key in helping beautify the area, increase quality of life and, importantly, ensure residents have more opportunities. These six projects are great examples of exactly why I’m so thrilled by where READI funding is going.”

In 2021, the Northeast Indiana RDA was awarded $50 million through the READI program to invest in regional projects.

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