RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS PLAN AND THE READI PLAN

This plan was funded by a Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance grant administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). The purpose of the recovery assistance program was to advance economic development in communities negatively impacted by COVID-19, including, grants to state and regional organizations to develop recovery and resilience plans. The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) is a State of Indiana program aimed to promote strategic investments within the 17 Indiana Economic Development Corporation regions that will attract regional talent and economic growth. The state of Indiana funded the READI program with $500 million in state appropriations from the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

Crawford, Dubois, and Orange counties were a part of the Indiana Uplands READI Region. Harrison and Knox counties joined Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties to make up the Indiana First region for the READI program. As noted, this recovery and resiliency plan is intended to respond to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and better prepare the region for future disruptions. The primary goals of the READI planning initiative were to develop a strategic plan in order to outline goals and strategies to grow the population, develop a better workforce, and grow and attract new job opportunities; and to identify public and private funding that could be used to implement these regional strategic plans.

While initiated for different reasons, there is similarity and overlap between many of the recommendations in the two plans. This resiliency plan, the Indiana First Regional Development Plan (READI – Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties), and the Indiana Uplands Regional Development Plan (READI - Crawford, Dubois, and Orange counties) should all be used to inform economic resiliency efforts, broader community planning, and quality of life initiatives.

Submitted | September 30, 2021

Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission

Southwest Indiana Development Council (SWIDC)

Indiana First Region

The Indiana Uplands Region

Legend

Counties: Crawford, Dubois, Orange, Perry, Pike, Spencer

Counties: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Harrison, Knox, Martin, Orange, Perry, Pike, Spencer

Counties: Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike, Spencer

Counties: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, Washington

Map showing regional planning groups.