Background:
In May of 2021 Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program, a $500 million initiative geared toward accelerating Indiana’s population growth by supporting regional economic development strategies focused on making Indiana cities and towns a magnet for talent. To achieve this goal regions will invest into financial partnerships throughout the regions on quality of life, place and opportunity projects. In December 2021 a formal recommendation was made for the distribution of $500 million in READI funds to regions throughout the state of Indiana, with $50 million allocated to the Evansville Region. The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) and Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) submitted the Evansville Region’s READI plan and are now in the process of awarding funding to projects or programs aligned with the goals of the READI plan.
A. Objective & Offering
At its core, the READI plan is focused on population growth and highlights near-term opportunities to be enabled by READI funding and long-term projects to support the region in fully achieving its vision. Quality of place has become a topic that is front and center in the pursuit of talent. Recreation, outdoor activities, parks, trails, and the natural environment are arguably as important as job opportunities and schools in attracting and retaining our target demographic. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more jobs are offering people the ability to work remotely, giving people a choice in where to live. At the same time, cities across the country struggle to keep up with employers’ open jobs, which greatly increases the competition for talent. Building a region that is attractive, interesting, and fun is more important than ever and some of those opportunities are highlighted in the Evansville Region’s RDP, which can be found here.
The Southwest Indiana RDA is offering READI incentives for the development of important quality of place amenities. A proposal may be submitted by individuals, non-profits, businesses, or other interested parties. The RDA encourages proposals that will enhance and support creative projects that serve a wide, diverse mix of residents while also driving population growth and offering fun amenities to current residents. Enhancing the livability and vibrancy of our region by supporting quality of place, walkability, and housing options for residents is critical. To that end, connectivity of amenities to other regional anchor downtowns, neighborhoods, or institutions is important in proposals.
Proposed projects may be in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, or Posey counties. READI funds will be utilized to support projects via direct grant into the overall development or by funding components of the project. Examples of components could include programmatic elements that support healthy lifestyles, infrastructure, water & sewer expansion, site preparation, or associated hard costs.
Funds provided are sourced from the State of Indiana’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) dollars. In accordance with these dollars, a portion of each awarded project will be subject to compliance and reporting requirements. See section D. Terms and Conditions for additional information and learn more about the process here.
Any PlayREADI RFP response should highlight the uniqueness of the proposed project/program that contributes to creating a sense of place in the city and region. In addition, the utilization of connections to the area around the development are highly encouraged. The RDA believes the selected projects will become the standard for the design of new amenities in our region.
The RDA anticipates this category will receive $10-15 million of the total Evansville READI award. It is anticipated funding may be divided up in the following manner:
• Up to $7 million for projects requesting $2.5 - $5 million in a READI award
• Up to $5 million for projects requesting $1 - $2.4 million in a READI award
• Up to $2 million for projects requesting $250,000 - $999,000 in a READI award
• Up to $1 million for projects requesting $100,000 - $249,000 in a READI award
PlayREADI requests are limited to $5 million and no more than 20% of the total project budget.
B. General Process
. Following a review of each submitted proposal and its selection criteria score, high scoring project proposers will be invited to be interviewed. Based on the detailed proposals received and the interview process, a decision will be made whether the project is in line with the Evansville Region’s RDP, and if a portion of the PlayREADI incentive should tentatively be allocated to the project. EREP will then present the project to the IEDC to confirm the appropriate process to fund the project and if the project meets ARPA requirements. The IEDC could require more information at that time. If the IEDC agrees the project meets ARPA requirements, the project will then be taken to the RDA for an official vote. A development agreement will be negotiated and executed as the instrument to define the roles and responsibilities of the selected developer and the RDA. All awarded projects will need to go through a procurement process through the Federal grant administration online tool. More information about the process is shown in the image below and explained further in the READI Process document.
C. Selection Criteria
The proposals will be evaluated on the following categories and scoring system (50 Points Total):
- 10 points = Concept – Quality of proposed project/program concept and substantial conformity with RFP requirements. Projects should highlight how they demonstrate broad public benefit to be an attractive amenity serving the region. If this is a project, architectural renderings, images, maps, site plans, and/or floor plans of the concept are recommended. If this is a program, detailed explanation, program flow documents, and any other relevant information are recommended.
- 10 points = Team Experience – Team’s qualifications, experience, and history with bringing high-quality projects to fruition. Overall clarity, organization, and level of detail in explanation of qualifications.
- 10 points = Financial Capacity – Team’s financial capacity to execute the project including having a detailed understanding of costs and funding sources. This includes providing information on commitments for the funding sources that shows no more than 20% coming from a READI award, a local/federal funding match, and 60% from private sources. A Letter(s) of commitment from other funders of the project will score higher.
- 8 points = Need – Since quality of place enhancements are needed that meet the desires of our community, points will be awarded for projects that can provide relevant market study data and community surveys supporting their narrative that this project is needed and wanted within the region. A letter(s) of support from a Community Organization that has conducted broad market research will score higher.
- 8 points = Roadblocks Addressed – projects that have already identified roadblocks and addressed or overcome barriers will earn additional points. If public infrastructure needs to be expanded or extended to complete your project, please include relative information and costs, if applicable. Developers should work with a General Contractor or Construction Manager to get realistic financial cost estimates.
- 3 points = Completeness, Professionalism, and Creativity of Proposal – proposals that supply all necessary criteria, desired materials, required information and are submitted in a neat, error-free, and compelling fashion will score higher.
- 1 point = ARPA Acknowledgement – Developer is able to comply with necessary reporting and compliance requirements. If applicable, demonstrates proven history of utilizing federal funds. Procurement is not needed at this RFP stage, but successful responders will be required to enter project information into the grant management tool and have ongoing reporting requirements.
D. Terms and Conditions
The RDA reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or to make no award. The RDA further reserves the right to excuse technical defects in a proposal when, in its sole discretion, it is beneficial to the overall goal of the READI plan. The RDA may require the proposer to retain a minimum 5-year ownership of the property.
Failure to execute the proposed project within the timeframe stated in the development agreement may result in revocation of the incentive.
- Recipients are responsible for ensuring that any procurement using SLFRF funds, or payments under procurement contracts using such funds are consistent with the procurement standards set forth in the Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR 200.317 through 2 CFR 200.327, as applicable. The Uniform Guidance establishes in 2 CFR 200.319 that all procurement transactions for property or services must be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition, consistent with standards outlined in 2 CFR 200.320, which allows for non-competitive procurements only in circumstances where at least one of the conditions below is true: the item is below the micro purchase threshold; the item is only available from a single source; the public exigency or emergency will not permit a delay from publicizing a competitive solicitation; or after solicitation of a number of sources, competition is determined inadequate. Recipients must have and use documented procurement procedures that are consistent with the standards outlined in 2 CFR 200.317 through 2 CFR 200.320. The Uniform Guidance requires an infrastructure for competitive bidding and contractor oversight, including maintaining written standards of conduct and prohibitions on dealing with suspended or debarred parties. Your organization must ensure adherence to all applicable local, State, and federal procurement laws and regulations. For additional information on Uniform Guidance Requirements not applicable to these funds, please see Sam.gov - Assistance Listings Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
- Awardees are required to provide additional reporting that includes output, outcomes, and additional metrics associated with the READI program.
Further terms will be negotiated and defined in the development stage of this process.
Submission Requirements & Additional Information
Proposals will be accepted by the Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority c/o Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, via this online intake portal on an ongoing basis beginning on May 25, 2022. Proposals will be scored in accordance with the above system. High-scoring projects will be awarded funds on a rolling basis until all designated funds have been allocated.