Greensburg, IN – The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has approved the first round of projects to receive funding through the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) focused on blight reduction. Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI), which includes Decatur, Rush, and Shelby Counties, is among the regions selected, with a $3.2 million proposed award to support the $29 million Rural Schools Reimagined initiative.

The initiative will transform seven historic, vacant, or underutilized schools across the ARI region into vibrant community assets. These redevelopment projects will honor the history of the buildings while addressing pressing local needs such as housing, childcare, and entrepreneurship.

In Greensburg, two major projects are planned:

• The Greensburg Learning Center will convert unused classrooms in a former elementary school into 168 childcare seats in partnership with a local provider.
• The former St. Mary’s School will be redeveloped into apartments, short-term rentals, and an event space.

Other projects in the ARI region include the redevelopment of schools in Rushville, Milroy, and Batesville, each with a vision for housing, retail, or community-focused uses.

“These projects represent the best of what READI is designed to do,” said Bryan Robbins, Executive Director of the Greensburg Decatur County Economic Development Corporation. “By reinvesting in our historic assets, we’re not only preserving community character but also addressing real needs that will help Greensburg and our region grow stronger for the future.”

The READI 2.0 initiative is funded through the Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by the IEDC to encourage transformational regional development across Indiana.

For more information about Accelerate Rural Indiana and the Greensburg Decatur County EDC, visit
https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/iedc-gives-green-light-to-first-readi-blight-reduction-projects.