Fishers, Ind. – Elected officials from several Central Indiana municipalities gathered for the first official meeting of the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority (CIRDA). CIRDA’s current members include the City of Beech Grove; City of Carmel; City of Fishers; Consolidated City of Indianapolis; City of Lawrence; Town of McCordsville; City of Noblesville; Town of Speedway; and the Town of Zionsville. The fiscal body of each participating member has adopted enabling legislation necessary to join CIRDA.

“As we finally codify a true regional collaborative spirit, our residents and future generations will benefit from the work we put in today,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “These efforts will strengthen Central Indiana’s position as a leader in business growth and placemaking.”

The elected mayor of the Consolidated City of Indianapolis will hold an ex-officio position on the executive board, with Mayor Joe Hogsett receiving the current appointment. Members elected the following officers: Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness as Chairperson; Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen as Vice-Chairperson; and Zionsville Mayor Emily Styron as Secretary-Treasurer.

Addressing the region’s award from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant was CIRDA’s first order of business. The group confirmed the grant’s administrator and formally adopted the funding from the State’s grant program for the White River Regional Opportunity Initiative. Information on the READI projects can be found here.

“We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and work together to bring more funding opportunities, like the IEDC’s READI grant, to Central Indiana to continue to drive the momentum we see today,” said Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen.

Indiana State Code authorizes eligible political subdivisions located in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson Metropolitan Statistical Area to form a Regional Development Authority (RDA) to better coordinate and participate in the following: Assist in the coordination of local efforts concerning projects that are of regional importance; assist a county, a municipality, a commuter transportation district, an airport authority, and a regional transportation authority in coordinating regional transportation and economic development efforts; and fund projects that are of regional importance.

“We’ve been fortunate to have strong leadership in our business and nonprofit sectors who have helped shape the region we call home today,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “As elected leaders, we are coming together to not just deepen our collaboration but leverage our collective assets to create an even better Central Indiana.”

Future meetings will begin to address a Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan, a requirement of Regional Development Authorities. CIRDA has committed to adopting a Plan by December 2022.