CIRDA Water Committee Previews Framework for Regional Water Planning | | |
Indiana's economic future depends directly on its water security. Recognizing the need for structured oversight, Governor Braun issued Executive Order 25-63 requiring a statewide water inventory and management plan to modernize state water policy.
In alignment with these state efforts, CIRDA's Water Committee, led by Mayor Scott Willis (Westfield) and Mayor Matt Gentry (Lebanon), is evaluating regional water planning and governance. CIRDA’s work aims to establish a balanced framework that safeguards residential water access while securing the critical resources needed to sustain regional economic growth. In the coming weeks, members of CIRDA's Water Committee will meet with the Department of Natural Resources and utility stakeholders to gather additional feedback.
Learn more about the draft plan by clicking the buttons below. Please provide any feedback to jenna@centralindianarda.org before CIRDA's Water Committee makes final recommendations to the full CIRDA board later this year.
| |
|
CATALYZE COMMITTEE
After a year of focused economic development planning—including extensive stakeholder engagement, a review of the region’s life sciences assets and opportunities, and the state’s announcement of a $1 billion investment in life sciences over the next 10 years—CIRDA will release and vote on its Catalyze Indiana plan in October.
During CIRDA’s October meeting and fundraiser, the CIRDA Board will consider a comprehensive plan focused on life sciences (animal, plant, and human) attraction, expansion, and investment. The plan is built around developing the region’s life sciences ecosystem from discovery to delivery and includes strategies within the following six key pillars:
- Regional Marketing, Opportunity, & Business Development
- Regionalism & Land Use
- Infrastructure
- Talent Development & Recruitment
- Higher Education & Hospital Research Commercialization
- Regional Funding & Incentive System
The Catalyze plan will be publicly available in the coming weeks and published on the CIRDA website.
REGIONAL REDEVELOPMENT TAX CREDITS
The IEDC recently announced the roll out of Regional Redevelopment Tax Credits. CIRDA is responsible for assessing all projects that are submitted and ranking the projects that are most significant in the region. To be considered for the first round of funding, projects must be submitted to CIRDA by Monday, October 12, 2026. Additional information about the regional RTC program and the application form for the regional RTC credits is available HERE. The CIRDA board will vote on a slate of projects that the region proposes for RTC credits during CIRDA’s October meeting and fundraiser.
OPPORTUNITY ZONES
Governor Mike Braun nominated 126 census tracts to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for certification as Indiana's Opportunity Zones for the 2027-2036 designation cycle, including several recommended by CIRDA. The full list of recommended census tracts can be viewed HERE and an interactive map is available HERE.
READI STATUS UPDATE
READI 1.0: Final disbursement requests for READI 1.0 must be made by September 30, 2026, and closeout documentation is required by March 2027.
READI 2.0: 154 of 399 projects statewide are fully approved for compliance, with about $55 million in funding disbursed. Another $391 million has been obligated. If you have questions about the status of your project, please contact jenna@centralindianarda.org.
READI 2.0 – Arts: The IEDC announced awards for 49 arts projects across the state. Information on the projects that were awarded can be found here.
READI 2.0 – Blight: Of the $185 million allocated for blight projects, $151 million has been awarded across 46 projects. All funding will be obligated before the end of the year, and the IEDC is not seeking additional applications from CIRDA at this time.
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES FROM ACROSS THE REGION | |
Greenwood
From Daily Journal
On September 24, 2026, Governor Mike Braun and city officials announced that Amazon will invest over $100 million to build a new 585,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Greenwood. Located at 1175 Collins Road, the hub will feature automated powder coating, robotic welding, and advanced fabrication capabilities. It will build tools and products that directly power Amazon's North American robotics and fulfillment network. The expansion will create 300 high-wage manufacturing and engineering jobs by 2028, with average salaries estimated near $100,000 per year.
| |
Greenfield
From Daily Reporter
Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific, announced plans in early September 2026 to open a new pharmaceutical clinical research facility in Greenfield, Indiana. Operating under the state economic development code name "Project Phoenix," the project involves Thermo Fisher's PPD division taking over a 51,840-square-foot office and laboratory building located at 2710 Innovation Way in Progress Park. The site was previously occupied by Elanco Animal Health before Elanco relocated its global headquarters to downtown Indianapolis. The expansion is projected to bring 100 to 150 high-wage life sciences jobs to Hancock County, including positions for scientists, lab specialists, packaging technicians, and site leaders. Average annual wages for the new positions are expected to be around $85,000.
| |
Noblesville
From Current Publishing
Announced on September 10, 2026, Noblesville is officially rebranding and master-planning the massive Exit 210 corridor into the Deer Creek District. The sprawling, 5,000-acre destination area will serve as a primary hub for incoming entertainment, commercial business development, hotels, infrastructure expansion, and mixed-use housing networks.
|
Noblesville
From The City of Noblesville
On September 2, 2026, Noblesville officials joined Flaherty & Collins Properties to officially break ground on The Granary, a $64 million mixed-use project. The development will transform Noblesville’s historic Pleasant Street corridor by integrating new housing options, corporate retail spaces, trail connectivity, and public parking infrastructure. The project is slated for full completion by 2028.
| |
Whitestown & Indianapolis
From Indiana Economic Development Corporation
In late August, Governor Mike Braun announced a massive footprint expansion by RayzeBio, Inc., a Bristol Myers Squibb company. The company is investing $173 million into its Central Indiana operations, including establishing a brand-new 450,000-square-foot facility at the Anson Industrial Park in Whitestown (Boone County) alongside expansions to its existing northeast Indianapolis manufacturing site.The project will create up to 100 new, high-wage radiopharmaceutical jobs by the end of 2029, further cementing Indiana's reputation as a global capital for radiopharmaceutical manufacturing.
| |
Zionsville
Indianapolis Business Journal
Announced in early September, prominent developer Thompson Thrift is moving forward with a massive $45 million mixed-use residential project. The project spans a 9-acre site at the southeast corner of South County Road 700 East and Grove Pass, and the upscale complex will feature 179 multi-family units distributed across three separate three-story buildings.
| | CIRDA BOARD MEETINGS & FUNDRAISER | | |
CIRDA's October Fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM at Meridian Hills Country Club (7099 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260). Additional information can be found HERE.
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 10:00 AM
IU Indianapolis – Hine Hall (Kelley Room 137) | 875 W. North Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
|
REGIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS, OPPORTUNITIES, & RESOURCES | |
Community Parks Initiative: Indiana Community Development Projects, Inc. (ICDP) announced the Community Parks Initiative (CPI). The aim of this new initiative is to help invited cities and towns in Indiana enhance local park systems through the development and implementation of community-driven plans to improve quality of life, place, and connection. ICDP has allocated nearly $400 million in grant funding from Lilly Endowment for this two-phase, multi-year initiative providing funding for noncompetitive planning grants and competitive implementation grants. The deadline to apply for Phase I planning grants is Friday, October 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM. Learn more HERE.
Regional Redevelopment Tax Credits: The IEDC recently announced the roll out of Regional Redevelopment Tax Credits. CIRDA is responsible for assessing all projects that are submitted and ranking the projects that are most significant in the region. To be considered for the first round of funding, projects must be submitted to CIRDA by Monday, October 12, 2026. Learn more or apply HERE.
Lane Mile Road Funding Distribution: 37 cities and towns and 67 counties have adopted a vehicle excise tax or wheel tax. Distribution by lane miles of additional funds to these eligible entities will begin in June of 2026.
| | |
Beyond an outstanding lineup of Halloween and autumn celebrations, CIRDA member communities showcase the very best of Central Indiana. Each city and town offers a vibrant mix of world-class events, local charm, and a high quality of life that leaves both residents and visitors thoroughly impressed.
Danville | Heartland Apple Festival: a quintessential fall festival experience features massive hayrides out to the pumpkin patch, a detailed corn maze, apple cannons, live musical entertainment, and an extensive local food and craft vendor market
When: Weekends in October (Kicking off October 2–4, 2026)
Where: Beasley's Orchard
Greenwood | Old Town Greenwood Beer & Wine Fest: an adult-focused celebration highlighting the heart of historic downtown Greenwood. The event brings together regional craft breweries, Indiana wineries, local restaurants, live musicians, and independent artisans for an afternoon of local tastings.
When: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (11:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Where: Old Town Greenwood
Carmel | Arts in Autumn: a family-focused fall festival stretches from Midtown Plaza to the Indiana Design Center. Arts in Autumn features arts and crafts merchants, custom photo booths, interactive children's experiences, food trucks, and an outdoor movie. It also kicks off community trick-or-treating throughout the district
When: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Where: Midtown Plaza
| | Thank you to our current supporters! | | | | |
