GREENSBURG, Ind. — Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI) has officially disbursed 100% of its $20 million
READI 1.0 award, marking the completion of the region’s first round of READI investment and setting the
stage for continued growth through READI 2.0.
Regional leaders and partners recently gathered at the Love Community Center in Rushville for the ARI
State of the Region event to celebrate the milestone, recognize the partnerships that helped move
projects forward and highlight the next round of investment already taking shape throughout the region.
READI—Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative—provides state funding
designed to leverage local and private investment and advance transformational quality-of-place,
quality-of-life and economic development projects.
In Greensburg, READI 1.0 funding supported several projects that have made a visible impact
throughout the community, including Building Bridges Inclusion Park, Liberty Lakes, Pirate Park and
improvements to Franklin and Washington streets.
“READI has given our communities an opportunity to think bigger about the projects that can shape our
region for years to come,” Mayor Joshua Marsh said. “We’ve already seen the impact of that investment
here in Greensburg, and the collaboration behind these projects has been just as important. READI 1.0
showed what we can accomplish when our communities work together, and we’re excited to carry that
momentum into the next round of projects.”
During the event, Mayor Marsh presented the inaugural Spirit of Regionalism Award to Tami Wenning,
Executive Director of the Decatur County Community Foundation. Before ARI established its Regional
Development Authority, Wenning and the DCCF board helped manage and distribute READI 1.0 funds,
providing critical support during the regional partnership’s formative years.
Bryan Robbins, Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur County and
Chair of the ARI Regional Development Authority, reflected on the progress made through READI 1.0
while outlining the opportunities and investments already taking shape through READI 2.0.Building on READI 1.0
With READI 1.0 funding fully disbursed, ARI is moving forward with its next round of investment. The
region was awarded an additional $30 million through READI 2.0 in April 2024, including $9.1 million
allocated to six projects in Greensburg and Decatur County.
The next phase also includes an effort to breathe new life into former school buildings throughout the
region.
Greensburg Community Schools Superintendent Tom Hunter and Heritage Hill Events Co-Founder Evan
Manship represented Greensburg during a State of the Region panel focused on the Rural Schools
Reimagined initiative and the opportunities presented by former school properties. In Greensburg, that
work includes plans to restore and repurpose the former St. Mary’s School, creating a new use for a
building with deep ties to the community.
In addition to the $30 million READI 2.0 award, ARI received $8.6 million in additional support from the
Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc., to
support blight remediation and arts and culture initiatives across the region.
Of that funding, $3.2 million will support Rural Schools Reimagined, an initiative focused on revitalizing
seven historic school buildings and sites throughout the ARI region.
The completion of READI 1.0 represents one chapter of that regional effort, while projects supported
through READI 2.0 and additional investment are already moving forward.
To learn more about Accelerate Rural Indiana and READI investments throughout the region, visit
accelerateruralindiana.com.
About Accelerate Rural Indiana
Accelerate Rural Indiana is a regional partnership representing Greensburg/Decatur County,
Rushville/Rush County, Shelbyville/Shelby County and Batesville. Connected by the I-74 corridor, these
communities work collaboratively to attract investment, support economic development, enhance
quality of place and create new opportunities for growth throughout the region.
