Three of the thirty-four projects were approved thus far for READI grant dollars by the Northwest Indiana Forum Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). These projects have met all the necessary requirements to receive READI grant funding.
These projects include:
Level Up NWI – United Way of Northwest Indiana - $1,880,029 READI Funds/$3,975,527 Total Investment – Provides assistance to the struggling residents in Lake, Porter, Starke, Newton, and Jasper counties by allowing the working poor to break through barriers to obtain higher-paying, good-quality jobs that create a better life for them and their families.
Minority Business Skills Enhancement Program – NWI SBDC - $141,000 READI Funds/$197,400 Total Investment - Provide greater and more effective outreach and resources to minority and rural business owners and individuals starting businesses. Main services will be business plan assistance, finding financing, training on bookkeeping, assisting with digital marketing, and with MBE/WBE and other certifications. READI funds will be used to pay for consulting services and training materials.
NWI Biz Hub Entrepreneur Resource Center – Legacy Foundation - $101,332 READI Funds/$209,132 Total Investment - Expand no cost programming to small business owners in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Starke, Pulaski, Newton, and Jasper Counties, while establishing program partners and resource navigators within each county. This will increase the number of successful small businesses, the overall per capita wealth for region residents, and increase the region’s identity as a destination for entrepreneurs in Indiana.
“These three projects are the tip of the ice burg. The NWI Forum looks forward to working with these committed READI grant recipients to continue infrastructure, business development and marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation, quality of place and talent growth in Northwest Indiana,” said Heather Ennis, President/CEO, Northwest Indiana Forum.
Indiana launched the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a bold, transformational initiative that will dedicate $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments that will make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth. The full, statewide READI program is expected to result in a projected $9.8B in total investment including local public, private and philanthropic match funding, which will propel investment in Indiana’s quality of place, quality of life and quality of opportunity. READI funding allocations were announced in December.
