When Governor Eric Holcomb announced the decision December 14th on the regional READI grants, he had both good and bad news.  The good news was that all the regions applying would receive grant money.  The bad news was that since all were granted, regions would receive less money than requested.

READI (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) allowed regions to apply for a pool of grant money.  In our area, several communities along the White River, including Indianapolis, Fishers, Noblesville and others, applied for a total of $50 million in grant money.  The December 14th announcement reduced the grant approved down to $20 million.

At the December 15th City Council Finance Committee meeting, Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told committee members that he had just spoken with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, and they all agreed to reduce their plans to fit the new budget.  Fishers will now receive about $3 million in READI grant funds.

Fadness says the city plans to use the money to look at the 96th Street & Allisonville Road intersection, and help fund a planned park along the White River.  In late July, Fishers announced the purchase of 98 acres of land east of the White River and north of 96th Street.