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Holcomb's READI program ready for more funding in 2023 state budget

Gov. Eric Holcomb’s major economic development initiative – the READI grant program – looks set for another major influx of funding.

The governor created the READI grants in 2021 as a way to help generate public and private investment in local economic development. Its first round of funding – $500 million – came from the Biden administration’s stimulus package, the American Rescue Plan.

House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said he wants another $500 million in the upcoming state budget.

“Using READI funding and other tools, we can work with our local partners to ensure more communities have housing options to meet the needs of today and the future,” Huston said.

READ MORE: Indiana officials award all 17 READI grant proposals, totaling $500 million

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Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) said the Republican-led legislature has spent too much time cutting taxes for businesses and not enough on ensuring the state has an adequate workforce.

“Adequately fund K-12 education, start children in school at age 5 instead of 7 and we’ll see the benefits from that across the state of Indiana and businesses will benefit,” Taylor said.

The session begins in January.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Copyright 2022 IPB News. To see more, visit .

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.