Rural Indiana leaders announce $50M in state funds for homes, jobs in Shelby, Rush and Decatur areas

According to WISH-TV, Accelerate Rural Indiana told attendees at its State of the Region event at the Love Community Center in Rushville that leaders from Shelby, Rush and Decatur counties and Batesville will put $50 million in state money toward hundreds of homes and hundreds of jobs. The group said it finished spending its first $20 million REDI grant ahead of a 2026 deadline and is beginning work on a second $30 million award; local governments have already approved 22 projects.

The announcement included project allocations named by the group: Greensburg and Decatur County — $9.1 million for six projects, including a 200-seat childcare center; Shelbyville and Shelby County — $8.4 million for six projects, including a nonprofit center and development along Tom Hession Drive; Rushville and Rush County — $4.9 million for six projects; and Batesville — $5.95 million for four projects, including an innovation hub. Accelerate Rural Indiana also confirmed an $8.6 million gift from the Lilly Endowment (about $3.2 million of which will fund renovations on seven historic school buildings). Leaders said the projects bring total investment to more than $485 million and expect more than $408 million in private spending and more than $34 million from local governments.

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