Last May, Governor Holcomb announced his Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) planning grant program. Here in Zionsville, a lot has happened since then. The Town of Zionsville collaborated with three counties – Hamilton, Madison and Marion – and the cities of Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Westfield, Anderson, Indianapolis and McCordsville on the READI planning grant and our partnership formed the White River Regional Opportunity Initiative. Our proposals are aimed at attracting, developing and retaining workforce talent through innovative strategies that focus on quality of place and life. This is government at its best – bringing communities together with the common goal of advancing our state.
As part of the White River Regional Opportunity Initiative, we submitted the Zionsville Gateway Area (ZGA) project for the READI program. The entrance to Zionsville was a driving factor in why I ran for mayor. For over a decade, Zionsville's first impression to visitors was a gravel corner lot and a vacant bank with a detached gutter. I knew then we could do better at attracting talent to the region by presenting a welcoming space filled with pathways, multi-modal connectivity, green space, public amenities, thriving businesses and housing.
The ZGA is an authentically Zionsville approach that brings together a menu of options for our downtown: greenspace, trails, parking, commercial, residential and mixed-use development and other community amenities that are both water- and trail-oriented. The plan will help attract, develop and retain talent in Zionsville by enhancing quality of place and supporting our innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems that transform Zionsville into not only a great place to live but also a great place to work.
The projected earnings of employees working and living in the revitalized future ZGA are transformative to the region. The study projects 300 new jobs, $3.3 million in yearly income tax revenue, 400,000 square feet of buildings and $500,000 in yearly A/V will be created through these efforts. The jobs created in the ZGA are amplified by the new jobs and corporate investment in Creekside Corporate Park. This aligns with the purpose of the READI grant – to stimulate quality of life, jobs and opportunities within the communities.
Now a committee of industry professionals will review each regional plan and submit funding recommendations to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) board. Our partnership with the region and the state is critical in turning ZGA into property that will be transformative for the Town of Zionsville and Central Indiana for generations to come. This is a historic moment for us. I look forward to continuing to work with leaders in our region and state in seeing our vision through.