Blight elimination projects are pivoting but moving forward with oversight from Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County.
At its April 30 meeting, EDC’s board took two votes to slightly adapt plans for $5.1 million in blight remediation, new housing and neighborhood revitalization across the county.
Funding comes from Indiana’s READI 2.0 program, supported by Lilly Endowment.
The board amended the program to direct about $150,000 in unspent funds to renovations in Richmond’s Starr neighborhood and blight reduction near affordable housing in the Vaile neighborhood.
EDC increased its contract with Heartland Environmental from 40 to 80 environmental reviews; 44 demolitions were previously planned. Reviews cost $700 and assess hazards such as asbestos, mercury and waste.
The expansion covers a few additional homes that towns plan to demolish and homes being renovated in the Starr neighborhood. It also allows flexibility to add reviews of other properties if any shift to rehabilitation before demolition.
The blight reduction program was extended through 2026 to allow more time for ownership tracking, legal notices and hearings; the process can take up to 18 months per property.
To date, 25 properties have been demolished countywide, including 16 in Richmond. Twenty-six of the 40 environmental reviews conducted found asbestos-containing materials.
Participating communities have added five more properties to the original demolition list.
However, after contacting those communities earlier this year, town leaders didn’t believe they could add more projects and spend all $780,000 by December, said Sarah Mitchell, EDC’s economic development manager.
The $780,000 local match for the READI grant must be used for blight elimination. Mitchell said demolitions were budgeted at $15,000 each, leaving about $150,000 unspent.
Starr and Vaile are near downtown, where more than $100 million in redevelopment is underway.
Board members considered extending the program but opted to focus funds on the two neighborhoods due to administrative hurdles in smaller towns.
The expanded Heartland contract includes 16 Starr properties slated for renovation; EDC has purchased three and secured options on others, with completion planned by Dec. 31, 2028.
Some Starr properties may still require removal of unsafe additions, Mitchell said.
Remaining funds may address hazards in Starr or unsafe homes in Vaile, where Intend Indiana plans to begin four homes this month.
In other business
- The board approved purchasing EDC’s leased 2023 Nissan Pathfinder for $36,282.20 for site visits and business recruitment. After shopping for several months, Shaffer said no other vehicles meet the EDC’s needs and $692 monthly lease budget. EDC will budget for vehicle maintenance in 2027.
- EDC is partnering with the Small Business Development Center on free training, beginning May 6 with “Know Your Numbers.” Learn more about services at isbdc.org/locations/east-central-indiana-sbdc/.
- Two local businesses are finalizing expansion plans, including one seeking grant review.
A version of this article appeared in the May 6 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.