Pence confident lawmakers will fund 3 Regional Cities picks

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) - Gov. Mike Pence believes it will be easier to persuade lawmakers to support allocating an additional $42 million so three Indiana metro regions will be fully funded through a new state program now that they have seen the redevelopment proposals it has produced.

"In the last session of the legislature, explaining the Regional Cities Initiative was at times challenging because it was a new way of thinking," Pence said Tuesday. "Having legislators understand the value of this, in the first instance, was challenging at moments. It's no longer challenging."

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. last week selected three metro regions centered around South Bend, Fort Wayne and Evansville to each receive $42 million grants aimed at spurring economic development that will improve the quality of life for those living in the area. Initially, only two regions were supposed to be selected, but the IEDC selected three winners out of the seven regions that applied. The program is being funded through Indiana's tax amnesty program, which has collected nearly $50 million more than its original goal.

Pence said he's confident the Legislature will approve spending the additional $42 million.

"I think there is a general enthusiasm in the General Assembly for this concept," Pence said.

IEDC President Jim Schellinger said the Regional Cities Initiative is needed because Indiana already has the tools in place to attract businesses.

"Now we have to become a talent destination," he said. "We have to make sure we are retaining and that we attract talent to our state so that the millennials and Gen Xers want to live, work and play in our communities around the state."

Pence, a Republican, spent Monday and Tuesday traveling the state and visiting with leaders from the three regions, celebrating their selections.

John Affleck-Graves, executive vice president of the University of Notre Dame and chairman of the South Bend regional group, told city and county leaders gathered at the Lerner Theatre that their work is just the beginning.

"I urge everybody here to make this a turning point. This is a time where we can build and show others what a great region this is," he said.

South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a Democrat, described the Regional Cities Initiative as "visionary" and said it was "refreshing" to see leadership in the Statehouse is willing to invest in cities and towns.

"If you want to attract and retain great people you have to provide great places," he said.

Buttigieg said the initiative brought together communities used to fighting against each other for businesses, saying he believes it will help build communities.

"Gone are the days when civic and political leaders could afford the smallness of imagination that stops at city limits," he said.