$30M in READI funds gives Lafayette region plenty to ponder

Plus, catch up on the Wabash Township trustee trial, as it heads into its third and final day.

Thanks this morning to new Based in Lafayette sponsor Lafayette Master Chorale, which is preparing a performance Sunday of “Candlelight, Lessons and Carols.” For details and ticket information, scroll to the bottom of today’s edition.

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With about $119 million in potential funding spelled out in its 74-page ask for Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, the six-county Greater Lafayette region was going to have to pare things down, even if it won a full $50 million share initially touted in the state competition.

Greater Lafayette came away with $30 million in economic development cash Wednesday, as the Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced a range of $5 million to $50 million for 17 regions across the state. Initially, the state said 10 of those 17 would be winners. Instead, things were spread across the state so every region got something.

“We were prepared for all or nothing, right?” Erin Easter, West Lafayette’s development director, said Wednesday afternoon. “It takes some recalibration. But this is still huge. And everybody knew it was going to be a process.”

Scott Walker, president and CEO of Greater Lafayette Progress, said: “The real work starts now.”