READI 2.0 Funds for Our Area

The above image is what I would like to see. READI 2.0 funds could help us towards the above goals. Or not. The devil's in the details, as they say. This is the second round of READI funds (hence, 2.0). The discussion below reveals our County's unmet needs overall, and compares what READI might fund.

What is READI 2.0?

The Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 is Indiana’s second round of a major statewide investment program designed to grow population, strengthen local economies, and improve quality of life.

Key points:

• Created by the Indiana General Assembly and administered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC).

• The Greater Lafayette Region, which includes seven counties: Tippecanoe, Carroll, Benton, White, Warren, Fountain, and Montgomery, plus the cities of Lafayette, West Lafayette, Purdue University, Ivy Tech, and others, was awarded $35 million in READI 2.0 funds. Tippecanoe County will receive a portion of it through projects selected by the regional board and fiscal agent (Greater Lafayette Commerce).

  
  

What Will the Funds Support?

While the state has not yet published a final project‑by‑project breakdown, the announcement and regional planning documents indicate that READI 2.0 funds in Greater Lafayette will prioritize:

• Housing development

• Childcare expansion

• Quality‑of‑life and quality‑of‑place projects

• Workforce development and talent pipelines

• Entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives

The Journal & Courier specifically noted that the region’s READI 2.0 funds aim at housing and childcare. And this is in line with needs articulated by Tippecanoe's African-American Community at a recent event.

Tippecanoe County’s Unmet Needs

🌱 1. Housing

READI 2.0 Priority

• Supports workforce housing, mixed‑use redevelopment, and infrastructure tied to new housing.

• Emphasizes projects that attract and retain workers.

Tippecanoe County’s Unmet Need

• Severe shortage of affordable and attainable housing across income levels.

• Rent burden is high, especially for:

  • Young families

  • Seniors on fixed incomes

  • Black residents and other historically marginalized groups

• Infrastructure bottlenecks (water, sewer, roads) limit where new housing can be built.

Alignment

Partial. READI can help fund some housing‑related infrastructure or mixed‑use projects, but it does not solve:

• Countywide affordability

• Zoning barriers

• Infrastructure maintenance backlogs

• The need for coordinated land‑use planning

This is where a County Commissioner’s leadership is essential.

🧒 2. Childcare

READI 2.0 Priority

• Workforce development includes childcare as a barrier to employment, but childcare is not a core funding category.

• Some regions use READI to support childcare facilities, but it depends on local proposals.

  
  

Tippecanoe County’s Unmet Need

• Severe childcare shortage, especially infant and toddler care.

• Long waitlists, high costs, and limited rural access.

• Childcare deserts in:

  • Sheffield

  • Lauramie

  • Randolph

  • Portions of Wabash Township

Alignment

Weak. Unless local leaders explicitly propose childcare projects, READI will not fill this gap.

READI 2.0 Priorities vs. Tippecanoe County’s Unmet Needs, Including Other Needs

READI 2.0 Priorities	Tippecanoe County’s Unmet Needs
Housing Development • Workforce housing • Mixed‑use redevelopment • Infrastructure to support new units	Severe Housing Shortage • Estimated 7,500+ unit deficit • Rising rents and displacement pressures • Lack of starter homes and rural housing options
Childcare Expansion • Workforce‑aligned childcare • Early learning capacity	Childcare Deserts • Long waitlists across the county • High cost relative to wages • Limited infant/toddler care availability
Quality of Life / Quality of Place • Trails, parks, riverfronts • Downtown revitalization • Arts and culture investments	Uneven Access to Amenities • Rural townships lack parks and safe recreation • Aging infrastructure in unincorporated areas • Limited investment outside city centers
Workforce Development • Talent pipelines • Industry‑aligned training	Workforce Barriers • Transportation gaps • Childcare shortages • Limited pathways for low‑income and mid‑career workers
Entrepreneurship & Innovation • Small business support • Innovation hubs	Small Business Strain • High commercial rents • Limited support in rural areas • Food access gaps for local producers
Regional Collaboration • Multi‑county projects • Shared systems	Local Coordination Gaps • Township–county disconnects • Uneven investment across the region • Lack of transparency in project selection