Engineering firm tapped for east central READI 2.0 partnership
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The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership has hired consultant HWC Engineering in preparation for the second wave of a major state grant program.
Indiana Economic Development Corp.’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI, allotted $500 million of state funds in December 2021 to support quality of place projects and spike economic development. This year, lawmakers approved READI 2.0 in the state budget, meaning another slice of that half billion dollars will be dispersed throughout the state.
The partnership said in a news release it chose the Indianapolis-based firm for its successful track record and management of three of the top five per capita awards in the first round of READI. Officials said they hope the firm will be instrumental in its guidance to shape the region’s future.
ECIRP and HWC, which also has an office in Muncie, will work with community members and stakeholders to build a comprehensive regional investment plan to use a roadmap for long-term investments and sustainable development in the region.
“The East Central Indiana region has tremendous assets and incredible opportunity for growth,” ECIRP President & CEO Trevor Friedeberg said. “I firmly believe HWC has pulled together the best team to support us in this process, and I am confident that, together, we can achieve our goals.”
The region, which covers Grant, Blackford, Jay, Delaware, Randolph, Henry, Wayne, and Fayette counties, received a $15 million READI allocation in the program’s first run.
ECIRP worked with Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group for READI 1.0 and expressed its appreciation for the company’s work in the release.