Come April, another portion of Wayne County’s greater housing initiative should be complete in Richmond’s Hidden Valley subdivision.
Housing concentrated on the neighborhood’s west side is one of three projects part of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County’s home accelerator program. The other two projects are in Centerville and Cambridge City, totaling 82 houses.
The Hidden Valley project wraps up 22 years after initial construction began. Now, the EDC has partnered with Trademark Construction LLC to begin the framework for 20 new homes, costing $10,000 each. The mix of ranch and two-story single-family houses will vary from 1,500 to 2,500 sq. ft on 14,000 sq. ft lots. Houses will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a walkout basement, and range from $350 to $450K.
“This project demonstrates the momentum behind the Housing Accelerator Program and our shared commitment to delivering new, attainable housing,” said Sarah Mitchell, economic development manager with the EDC of Wayne County, in a news release. “Hidden Valley is setting a strong standard for future developments. It demonstrates how targeted investment can transform vacant, platted subdivisions into productive housing.”
Mitchell said the program leverages public-private partnerships to accelerate development and bring new homes to market. The project is a part of recent $26M investment county-wide in efforts to make the county more attractive to families and workers looking for housing options.
Funding for the project comes from the Consolidated EDIT Fund and Wayne County’s EDIT Fund. Grants will cover costs for street, sidewalk and utilities construction.
The Advisory Plan Commission approved the project in May 2025 and affirmed Trademark as a partner the following month. Construction for all 82 houses must be completed by Dec. 31, 2029. Any unbuilt housing funds will return to the EDC.
A version of this article will appear in the February 11 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.