Lilly Endowment’s funds fuel future renewal projects

Lilly is again giving money to improve Indiana neighborhoods, arts and culture, and Wayne County residents will benefit.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is awarding $250 million in grants across the state, and the county will receive more than a $5 million share, to be spent on three residential and commercial projects by the end of 2028.

Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County officials say they’re very pleased to receive the $5,096,000. Valerie Shaffer, EDC president, said details are still being finalized for the projects, so more information might be available in the next month or so.

Wayne is the only county in its eight-county region to be awarded any funds through the $185 million portion of the redevelopment program focused on neighborhoods and buildings. EDC officials plan to emphasize spending as much of those funds as possible on remediation and redevelopment, rather than building demolition.

Shaffer said Wayne County was able to qualify for Lilly Endowment funds by showing the great work it has done over the past two years in leveraging funds for downtown revitalization, housing development, neighborhood development and blight elimination programs.

Some of those projects are currently underway, with construction or demolition visible. Others are still in the planning stages.

Funding background

The $250 million Lilly Endowment program, announced in January 2024, enhances the state government-driven $500 million Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0, which then-Gov. Eric Holcomb announced in 2023.

Wayne County applied for READI 1.0 and 2.0 funds as part of regional partnerships. The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership includes Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties.

East Central Indiana received $15 million in READI 1.0 funds from the $500 million distributed statewide. Wayne County’s share was $2,950,000, which all went toward the 6Main apartments under construction in downtown Richmond.

The region was more successful in its READI 2.0 quest, receiving $35 million of the $500 million. It was the largest regional increase in the state. ECI proposal themes included accelerating economic growth and regional prosperity by stabilizing the regional population through investments in quality of life, housing and infrastructure, child care and support for families, and education and opportunity.

From the region’s READI 2.0 funds, Wayne County was selected to receive $4,330,000 for the Smith Hill housing development on Richmond’s east side.

Sarah Mitchell, EDC’s economic development manager, and Acacia St. John, program manager of Wayne County Foundation’s Forward Wayne County initiative, are the steering committee for Wayne County’s READI 2.0 efforts.

When all totaled, Wayne County is receiving $12,376,000 through the READI 1.0 and 2.0 and Lilly Endowment programs.

A track record of collaboration

EDC officials say progress in bringing stakeholders together to develop partnerships for four programs helped secure the new Lilly funds.

• Downtown revitalization: Wayne County and Richmond each gave $1 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to help Main Street building owners. They offered 75% grants, up to $100,000 for facade or internal improvements or upper-story housing. Those funds are actively being spent now, and half of the projects have been completed. Funds have to be spent by the end of 2026.
• Housing acceleration: New housing options are expanding. Subdivision owners were able to apply for shares of $820,000 to help complete their unfinished subdivisions.
• Eighty-two new homes are being built by the end of 2029. Half are in Richmond and the other half are around the county.
• Neighborhood revitalization: Wayne County’s Blight Elimination Program is spending $780,000 to demolish up to 44 blighted, vacant homes. Funds are coming from the consolidated economic development income tax and Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. Towns have been able to get properties qualified through unsafe building assessments. Thirteen have been demolished to date.
• Land bank: EDC officials are working to create a countywide land bank with help from Intend Indiana. A $200,000 investment is being made over five years to start the program.

Arts and culture

In addition to its share of the $185 million redevelopment program, Wayne County also is benefiting from Lilly Endowment’s $65 million arts and culture initiative.

Earlier this month, a consulting firm concluded a survey of East Central Indiana residents that asked for help prioritizing goals and strategies to help strengthen arts and culture, local economies and quality of life. Specific projects and grant amounts are still being determined.