Marshall County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Laura Walls gave the county commissioners an update on an effort to obtain READI grant funding.
“It’s similar to Regional Cities,” stated Walls. “It’s for regional groups to apply for to promote and develop workforce initiatives, quality of place, and quality of life.”
She explained that the South Bend/Elkhart regional partnership is forming, which includes Marshall County, and those participants will be working with the Regional Development Authority (RDA). RDA will be the applicant for the cap of $50 million in grant funding. Walls said the application is due by the end of August.
“There is a steering committee that is spearheading the application. Marshall County has two representatives on it. John LaSalle from the RDA is on it. He’s also chairman of the RDA right now, and I’m on it as part of the executive leadership.”
She noted that projects do not need to be specific, but brick and mortar projects will be reviewed as well as possible networking, skills training, or skill building programs. There will some local match dollars that will need to be involved with the grant, but Walls said American Rescue Plan Act funds could be used toward that purpose.
Michael Burroughs will be the commissioner who will be the liaison to keep in touch with the grant process.
