NORTH VERNON, Ind. – North Vernon Mayor Shawn Gerkin traveled to Indianapolis last week to hear how Indiana’s 92 counties will share $500 million of READI 2.0 funds. He returned home with news worth celebrating: the South Central Indiana Talent Region, which includes North Vernon and Jennings County, was awarded $30 million from the State of Indiana and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) for READI 2.0!
READI 2.0, part of the governor’s 2023 Next Level Agenda and approved by the Indiana General Assembly, was a direct response to the significant demand for quality-of-place investments from communities across the state.
According to Gerkin, the portion of the $30 million that will go to North Vernon is still to be determined. The total will be divided between Bartholomew, Jackson, and Jennings Counties.
According to Mayor Gerkin, projects they plan to use the funding on include downtown housing, downtown blight elimination, the Panther Tech Center at Jennings County High School, and improvements at Country Squire Lakes, among others.
“I’m excited about the $30 million awarded to our region!” said Gerkin. ” I’m thankful to Governor Holcomb and the IEDC for the opportunity and am proud of the South Central Indiana Talent Region team for their work in preparing for READI 2.0. These funds will allow for more bold and innovative projects to improve the quality of life and place for all of us.”
