A riverfront study and USI’s nursing program are among projects receiving READI money. WNIN’s John Gibson has more:
The Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority has obligated $6 million more from the $50 million in the Regional Economic and Acceleration Development Initiative, or READI.
Evansville Regional Economic Partnership Senior Vice President Audrie Burkett says more than $700,000 in READI funds was allocated for an expansion of the nursing program at USI:
"There are in our metro area alone over 450 openings for registered nurses. And so, the expansion of this program will really help build our workforce pipeline for those nurses."
$1 million has also been allocated for a regional riverfront planning and activation study, not only for Evansville but possibly Newburgh and Mt. Vernon:
"It'll help us understand what might a phased investment for a riverfront strategy look like, taking into consideration Downtown Evansville but also those regional riverfronts that we have."
The Winnecke Administration has proposed a renovation of the Evansville riverfront between Main and Sycamore, where WNIN is currently located.
READI funds were also allocated for new lights for Lloyd Expressway underpasses, a dog park, and a downtown housing project in Princeton.
The $50 million has to be allocated by the end of 2024.
Applications and more information are available at evansvilleregion.com/readi-program.