by Kathy Tretter
The sun shone brightly over the town of Richland last Tuesday morning, but even if rain had been falling the smiles of all who gathered in the park would have generated a warm glow.
The event attracted a plethora of significant personages, from Governor Mike Braun and Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Adams to representatives for Senator Todd Young and Congressman Mark Messmer, along with State Senator Daryl Schmitt, County Commissioners and Councilmen, Richland Town Council members and residents who were excited to hear about the state’s investment in their community.
Governor Braun was present to celebrate a Main Street improvement project powered by a $1,250,000 READI 2.0 investment in Richland.
“This is exactly the kind of project our READI 2.0 investments were built for: pairing private investment with state support to bring new life to Main Streets and create opportunity for Hoosiers,” said Governor Braun.
The partner for this project is builder Ron Smith from Santa Claus, who has already invested in Richland to improve housing options. For this project Smith will match the state’s investment 50/50.
This partnership will provide a facility for a family medical practice which will increase local access to health care. The investment will also support space that can accommodate child care needs and other commercial activity as redevelopment phases move forward.
The effort is focused on revitalizing a blighted section of downtown Richland and replacing aging property with new multi-use commercial buildings designed to support small business growth and expand services.
Rachel Leslie, principal of RJL Solutions (the county’s economic development arm) introduced Commissioner Jim Seiler, who started by thanking the governor for signing two bills related to the small modular nuclear reactor project before adding, “I’m excited to see Richland being built back up to what it was.”
Council President Dan Kincaid wanted to issue thanks to all involved, including his fellow council members. “We have a tremendous town board,” he praised. “If the federal government had people like we have on the council they’d get things done.”
He noted that for their service they each receive a check for $125 at year’s end, and then sign it back to the town.
Kincaid recognized the late Nora Yeager, who he said had the foresight and experience to incorporate Richland.
He noted what a pleasure it has been working with Governor Braun to bring this project from dream to reality.
He also called out Commissioners Seiler and Heather Gries and Senator Daryl Schmitt for their support.
The project began with Grant Writer Tara Damin, principal of GrantSmith Consulting, who got the program off the ground.
Kincaid gave shout outs to four other individuals, including Jonathon Blake with RJL Solutions, Nathan Held, Executive Director of the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission, Town Attorney Bruce Cissna, who he calls his “consigliere,” and Ron Smith with Smith Homes and Development.
“Ron has built over $2 million in houses,” Kincaid explained. “He is the thrust behind this project.”
Senator Schmitt spoke next, saying he was present in support of this private/public partnership.
He recognized the significance of this project and added, “This is critical to long term health outcomes.” In addition, he sees this as a way to create jobs while building a sense of community. “This is an awesome example of a public/private partnership and obviously fits [the state’s] quality of life initiative.”
Governor Mike Braun was next. Standing in the park he was looking off into the distance toward a grain elevator.
“This is a sight I see in about every 92 counties, except those that are mostly urban. It takes effort. We all want our kids to at least be thinking about coming back but for that we need high speed internet in every nook.”
Noting Richland does indeed have high speed internet he said the other necessity is healthcare. It’s another significant building block to attracting and retaining residents.
Gov. Braun praised Smith for stepping up and spoke of how this project and others are critical to wholly fulfilling the American dream.
Part of the governor’s economic development strategy is improves access to health care and child care and this project fits that bill as well.
This project is an example of how state funding is being used to leverage additional private capital and put it into older rural business districts that have struggled to attract new development. A portion of Richland’s Main Street will be revitalized, turning blighted property into multi-use commercial buildings, including the new family medical practice which will improve health care access for the community.
The goal of the READI 2.0 program is simple: combining local leadership, private investment and state support to strengthen small communities and restore historic Main Street corridors. Richland is demonstrating a model of how targeted infrastructure and redevelopment work can produce long-term benefits for Spencer County.
Construction timelines, tenant build-outs and specific opening dates will be announced as the redevelopment continues.
Featured Image: Some (but not all) of the attendees at last Tuesday’s announcement of the READI 2.0 grant for a new commercial building and medical center in Richland.
Pictured from left: Spencer County Commissioner Jim Seiler, Governor Mike Braun, Richland Council President Dan Kincaid and State Senator Daryl Schmitt.
