Cass County project wins state approval; regional Ready grants update

Steven Ray, presenting the North Central Indiana regional update, told the commission that regional grant programs have delivered substantial funding to the region and that Cass County has been an active recipient.

Ray said grant funds secured since 2015 total more than $26 million across the region; when additional Ready program funds are included the regional total approaches $91 million. He reported that Cass County received five awards last year totaling just under $1 million and that the county’s Ready 2 agricultural infrastructure project has been approved at the state level, allowing the county to move forward with site work.

Commissioner (speaker 1) presented a contract form, noting the only change was substituting 'Commissioner Spencer' for 'Commissioner Stadjar' in a prior version. The board moved to approve the contract and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Ray also outlined regional changes and near‑term prospects: the state passed legislation this year adjusting regional responsibilities for economic tax credits, and regions expect more detail by June or July. He said the governor is supportive of the Ready program and that a Ready 3 round is likely though specifics remain uncertain. Ray added that $275,000 of Ready 2 funds were reallocated to create a rural community development grant aimed at getting small‑town projects ready quickly.

What’s next: county staff and municipalities were asked to prepare project lists for the rural community development grant window and to monitor state guidance about tax‑credit administration and future Ready funding rounds.