Central Indiana seeks $30M regional cities grant for mass transit, other projects
Central Indiana officials are seeking $30 million from Gov. Mike Pence’s new regional cities economic development program to help pay for a proposed rapid transit electric bus line, a Downtown Indianapolis technology district and additional trails and bike paths.
The regional spending plan is one of seven from across the state submitted to the Indiana Economic Development Corp. ahead of an Aug. 31 application deadline. A review committee will evaluate the plans and make funding recommendations to the IEDC later this year.
The application from the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority seeks:
•$15 million for the Red Line, a proposed rapid transit electric bus service. The money would provide the local match for a $45 million federal grant IndyGo is seeking for the first phase of the line, from the University of Indianapolis to Broad Ripple. Plans call for it to eventually run from Westfield to Greenwood.
•$10 million for 16 Tech, a planned 60-acre innovation district on the northwest edge of Downtown and future home of the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.
•$5 million for regional trails and bike paths.
The three projects are expected to eventually draw more than $597 million in investments when other public and private funding sources are included.
Mark Fisher, vice president of government relations for the Indy Chamber, said the plan “serves both the immediate needs of transit and workforce mobility, but also the longer-term goal of talent attraction.”
“We are trying to be very conservative in our ask,” he said.
Central Indiana is competing with six other regions. Ultimately, the IEDC plans to dole out $84 million in grants to up to two regions. The grants are being funded with money from a tax amnesty program.
“I am truly inspired by the collaboration and action we have witnessed in our Indiana regions during this process,” said Pence, who successfully pushed to fund the program during this year’s legislative session. “With these tremendous visions for the future of our communities, I am confident that Indiana’s dedication and commitment to quality-of-place initiatives will establish our regions as global destinations, attracting top businesses and top talent to fill the jobs we continue to create in the Hoosier state.”
Call Star reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.
The competition
Seven regions across the state are competing for $84 million in regional cities grants from the state. Here are some of the plans from each region:
Central Indiana: Grant money would be used to help fund an electric bus rapid transit line from Broad Ripple to the University of Indianapolis, development of a 60-acre technology innovation district near Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and enhanced trails and bike paths.
East Central: Officials want to revitalize Muncie’s downtown, develop the area along the White River and build on artist Robert Indiana’s legacy with the New Castle arts district.
North Central: Plans call for revitalization of the former Studebaker Plant in South Bend, investment in Wellfield Gardens in Elkhart and continued collaborative initiatives with the University of Notre Dame.
Northeast: Its application includes development along St. Marys River in Fort Wayne, revitalization of the former Clyde Theater and a new food innovation center in Bluffton.
Northwest: Proposed projects include revitalization of the Indiana Dunes State Park facility and improvements to the South Shore Line to capitalize on Chicago’s commuting population.
Southwest: Planned investments include a Science Center at the Signature School, residential development in Evansville’s city center and the Warrick County Wellness Trail.
West Central: Grant money would support the renovation of the historic New Moon Theatre in Vincennes and the ICON building along the Wabash River in Vigo County.
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp.