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Regional planning council reports $26 million in grants over 11 years; Howard County received roughly $2.2 million

Howard County Board of Commissioners · March 3, 2026

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Summary

Steven Ray of the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council told commissioners the council helped secure about $26 million in grant funding from 2015–2025 across six counties, with Howard County receiving roughly $2.2 million; commissioners accepted the council's annual contract by voice vote.

Steven Ray, representing the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council, presented the council's annual update to the Howard County Board of Commissioners, summarizing grant activity and program status over the last 11 years.

"Over the last 11 years from '15 to 2025, the regional planning council has worked on over $26,000,000 in grant funding that's brought back to the 6 counties," Ray said, adding that Howard County had received "a little over 2,200,000.0 of that 26." He also summarized the council's Ready programs, noting a Ready 1 program at $30 million and a Ready 2 at $35 million, and reported that many Ready 1 projects were at closeout.

Commissioners asked about the county's share of funding and the types of projects secured. Ray said the council's work outside the Ready programs included about 159 projects over 11 years and that project types generally included infrastructure such as sewer, water, wastewater, stormwater and transportation. He said the regional return on investment for each dollar contributed by counties has been approximately $14 over the reported period.

After the presentation the commission took a motion to accept the council's annual contract; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

What’s next: Ray said several Ready 1 projects are wrapping up this year and the council will continue to pursue infrastructure and community projects regionwide. The commission approved the annual contract to continue the council's work with Howard County.