ELKHART, Ind. - The Tolson Center for Community Excellence in Elkhart is the first of 17 capital projects to be completed and open for business in the South Bend-Elkhart region after receiving READI 1.0 funds in 2021.

The South Bend – Elkhart region received $50 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 1.0) funds in 2021.

“Being a recipient for the first round of READI 1.0 made a huge difference for us, it was the final push we needed to complete our building,” said Breanna Allen, Executive Director of the Tolson Center for Community Excellence. “The vision for the Tolson Center is to be a place where people feel welcomed, supported, inspired, and uplifted and do so through equity and opportunity. The future is bright for Tolson, and we are well on our way.”

The $16 million project received $2.6 million in READI 1.0 funds.

The Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) awarded $40 million to 17 of the Quality of Place projects and $6.4 million in funding to 11 programs in 2022, resulting in an estimated $448 million in additional private and public investment.

As part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda, Gov. Eric Holcomb included an additional $500 million in READI 2.0 funds.

The Indiana General Assembly approved the agenda during the 2023 legislative session, and the RDA submitted its application.

Regional allotments will be announced in April.

You can learn more about the Tolson Center here.

You can learn more about READI Indiana here.