Regional Cities Initiative - North Central Indiana

Overview:
The Regional Cities Initiative is a state-level program spearheaded by Indiana that provides funding to support quality of place projects designed to attract and retain top talent in designated regions. The South Bend-Elkhart region (North Central Indiana) was selected as one of three Indiana regions to receive state funding through this initiative.

Geographic Scope:

• Serves Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties in North Central Indiana
• Covers 22 interconnected cities and towns
• Represents over half a million people

Total Award for Region: $42,000,000 allocated toward approximately 100 quality of place projects totaling more than $2 billion in combined state, local, and private investment

Focus Areas:
Projects must address one or more of the following:

• Arts & Culture
• Health & Wellness
• Economic Development
• Housing

Examples of funded projects include:

• Marshall County Wellness and Life Enrichment Center (aquatic center and soccer complex) - $2M state funding
• South Shore Line improvements (Phase I) - $800,000 state funding
• Studebaker Factory Buildings redevelopment (Building 84) - $3.5M state funding
• Apex Climbing South Bend - $400,000 RDA allocation
• Technology Training & Demonstration Center - $507,000 RDA allocation
• The 500 Building (Hotel Elkhart redevelopment) - $900,000 RDA allocation
• South Bend Chocolate/Indiana Dinosaur Museum Destination - $500,000 RDA allocation
• Potawatomi Zoo Front Entry - $450,000 RDA allocation
• REES Theater Restoration (Plymouth) - $300,000 RDA allocation
• Millrace Multi-Use Pavilion (Goshen) - $300,000 RDA allocation
• Ironworks Phase II/Beutter Park Phase II (Mishawaka) - $114,000 RDA allocation
• Community of WaNee Vision 2020 (Nappanee) - $100,000 RDA allocation
• Boys & Girls Club Marshall County - $100,000 RDA allocation

Eligibility Requirements:

• Projects must be distinct and feasible with realistic budgets
• Must demonstrate clear return on investment calculations and timelines
• Must be implementable within a 12-month timeframe
• Budget must represent a public-private partnership with:
  • 60% private sector funding
  • 20% local government co-investment
  • 20% state government co-investment
• Projects should focus on "brick and mortar" infrastructure rather than programming alone

What They Don't Fund:

• Programming as standalone element (must be accompanied by physical infrastructure projects)
• Projects without realistic implementation timelines

Regional Administration:

• The Regional Development Authority (RDA) oversees disbursement of funds
• RDA comprised of five-member board representing Elkhart, Marshall, and St. Joseph counties
• South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership serves as administrator

Contact Information:

• Regina Emberton (South Bend-Elkhart Regional Partnership): 574-400-5432 or REmberton@MichianaRegion.com
• Phone: 574-344-4686
• Email: info@southbendelkhart.org
• Address: 635 S Lafayette Blvd, Ste. 123, South Bend, IN 46601

Background:
Passed in 2015 with bipartisan support by the Indiana General Assembly. The initiative is overseen by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and aims to help regions develop positive and unique national brands to become destinations for talent. The South Bend-Elkhart region submitted the "Innovate Indiana" plan outlining 39 regional development projects in three counties totaling $703 million in quality of place investments.

Application Process

Funding Rounds:

Round 1 (2016):

• Competitive allocation process
• 18 projects selected for funding
• Final submission deadline: June 15, 2017
• Applications reviewed by Regional Development Authority (RDA) Board

Round 2 (2017):

• Approximately $1.5 million in remaining funds made available for reallocation
• Intake Form deadline: July 15, 2017
• Projects eligible: Those in Regional Development Plan (RDP) that did not receive funding in Round 1, or new projects not previously included in RDP
• Not eligible: RDP projects that received funding in 2016 allocation period
• Full application deadline (if invited): August 15, 2017
• Funding announcement: September 14, 2017 RDA meeting

Application Materials Required:

1. Intake Form - includes:
   • Project description
   • Budget and funding sources
   • Implementation timeline
   • Return on investment analysis
   • Alignment with Smart Connected Communities plan
2. Full Application (if invited after Intake Form) - includes:
   • Detailed project narrative
   • Financial documentation
   • Evidence of matching fund commitment
   • Implementation plan

Evaluation Criteria (IEDC and RDA Standards):

• Project feasibility and realistic budget
• Clear return on investment (ROI) calculations
• Implementation timeline (12-month implementability)
• Funding structure (60% private, 20% local, 20% state)
• Alignment with Smart Connected Communities goals
• Contribution to talent attraction and economic development
• Focus on physical infrastructure ("brick and mortar")

Process Timeline:

1. Submit Intake Form
2. RDA Board reviews submissions
3. Qualifying projects invited to submit full application
4. RDA Board votes on funding recommendations
5. Approved projects move to IEDC for final approval
6. Funding awarded
7. Projects must complete all matching fund commitments

Smart Connected Communities Plan Connection:
All projects must align with the region's "Smart Connected Communities" strategic plan developed in 2015, which guides the Regional Development Authority's project selection.