I&M awards grants to spur job growth, economic development
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Fort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power is awarding more than $125,000 in grants to 11 organizations and communities to help spur job growth and boost economic activity. I&M is awarding grants through two programs: property development and initiatives grants.
I&M says its property development grants “help identify and prepare properties for future business and industrial uses,” while its initiatives grants support economic development organizations as they launch new programs to highlight their communities and attract new business and expansion.
“Due to the phenomenal growth our communities have experienced, the inventory of ready industrial sites has dwindled,” said Ashley Savieo, I&M director of economic development. “It has become increasingly crucial for communities to be fully prepared to market and be responsive to inquiries from businesses searching for a development ready site.”
The property development grants are being awarded to the following organizations:
- Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance; Delaware County; city of Muncie: $21,000 for site environmental studies on a property in Industria Centre Industrial Park.
- South Bend Regional Chamber; St. Joseph County; city of South Bend: $25,000 for due diligence studies on a 168-acre property located on Nimtz Parkway in South Bend.
- Wells County Economic Development; Wells County; town of Ossian: $25,000 to develop a build-ready site on 13 acres of the Park One Ossian Industrial Park.
- Be Noble Inc.; Noble County Economic Development; Noble County; city of Kendallville: $12,500 for due diligence activities including soil borings to validate soil composition and a full survey for a new industrial site.
The initiatives grants are being awarded to the following organizations:
- Cornerstone Alliance; Berrien County, Mich.; city of Benton Harbor: $5,000 to develop an Economic Development presentation for elected officials, municipal and community leaders, and others.
- South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership; counties of St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall:
- Two grants: $5,000 for a marketing video featuring the Michiana area, and $5,000 to develop an educational program about effective strategies and benefits of economic development to share with multiple stakeholder groups.
- Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance: $5,000 for website upgrades.
- City of New Haven: $5,000 to conduct a hotel and retail study.
- Randolph County United; Randolph County: $2,500 to add an economic development-focused podcast to spotlighting the growth build awareness of community activities.
- Be Noble Inc.; Noble County; cities of Kendallville, Albion and Ligonier, town of Avilla: $5,000 to support the development of co-working spaces.
- City of Gas City: Awarded $5,000 for marketing materials for the of I-69 and SR 22 commercial corridor.
- Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership: $5,000 for a familiarization tour of Northeast Indiana to host five site location consultants advising clients on the best locations for business in the Midwest.