Governor Pence Ceremonially Signs Regional Cities Bill in Evansville

Indianapolis – Governor Mike Pence today joined regional leaders in Southwest Indiana to ceremonially sign House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001, which will provide $42 million for each of the Regional Cities initiatives, at the Signature School’s Robert L. Koch II Science Center in Evansville. The Governor signed HEA 1001, which goes into effect July 1, 2016, into law on March 23, 2016. 

“Through the Indiana Regional Cities Initiative, we have seen regions across the state working in partnership to inspire and generate the development of long-term and dynamic plans for the future,” said Governor Pence. “Indiana’s Great Southwest plan will be key in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce and cultivating a strong business climate for long-term economic development and improving quality of life for the benefit of Hoosiers.”  

The Governor was joined by Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Jim Schellinger, Greg Wathen, President of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana and Jean Hitchcock, President of Signature School. Also in attendance were bill co-author Rep. Holli Sullivan (R – Evansville), Rep. Ron Bacon (R – Chandler), Sen. Vaneta Becker (R – Evansville), Rep. Wendy McNamara (R – Mount Vernon), Rep. Gail Riecken (D – Evansville), Sen. Jim Tomes (R – Wadesville), and Rep. Tom Washburne (R – Inglefield). 

Indiana’s Great Southwest plan encompasses 19 projects that focus on strengthening the heart of the region by leveraging the new Indiana University academic medical education and research center, improving livability and connectivity, and attracting talent and workforce to the community.  

The Indiana Regional Cities Initiative encourages communities to work together to develop and implement regional plans. HEA 1001 allocates $42 million for each of the Regional Cities initiatives, ensuring three regional development plans in North Central, Northeast, and Southwest Indiana receive state funding. Together, these plans outline 100 quality of place projects totaling more than $2 billion in combined public and private investment. More than half of these planned projects, including new riverfront developments, revitalized downtowns and expanded trail systems, are currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018.  

For a full list of bills Governor Pence has signed, visit Bill Watch: http://www.in.gov/gov/2016billwatch.htm.