Winners Named In Regional Cities Initiative

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mike Pence announced Tuesday that three Indiana regions – North Central, Northeast and Southwest – were chosen from a group of seven to receive funding from the Regional Cities Initiative.  But, there are still questions as to whether the Governor can deliver all of the funding.

The Regional Cities Initiative aims to generate collaboration between communities and help foster economic development. The General Assembly set aside $84 million from the state’s Tax Amnesty program to pay for the program, intending it to be split between two regions.   But Pence says three regions set themselves apart as equally worthy of funding, so he’ll ask lawmakers to set aside extra money generated through tax amnesty.

“And I think the enthusiasm that you sense in the room today from all across the state of Indiana will certainly help us make our case,” Pence said.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, whose region was one of the three chosen, says he’s not worried about getting the extra money from the legislature, just excited to be awarded the funding.

“I suspect we wouldn’t have gotten to this point today if there hadn’t been significant discussions making people feel comfortable that the additional money can be appropriated,” Winnecke said.

Pence says money can begin going out to the three winning regions even before the legislature decides whether to award the extra funding.