Indiana’s READI program brings new entertainment center, arts education to east central Indiana

In east central Indiana, the $19.2 million Gas City Performing Arts Center ($2.75 million READI 1.0 allocation) is now open to the public.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) joined local and regional leaders today in Gas City to celebrate the grand opening of the community’s new Gas City Performing Arts Center – one of the first Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) projects to get underway in 2022 – that will bring new arts and music education, programming and performances to the region.  

Governor Eric J. Holcomb established the now $1.25 billion READI program in 2021, and it has since been nationally recognized for its success. READI 1.0 was established with an initial $500 million in partnership with the Indiana General Assembly and is bringing vibrancy to regions across the state to accelerate shovel-ready projects and programs that will transform Hoosier communities, attract talent and improve quality of life.  

“Through Indiana’s READI program, communities statewide are improving their quality of place for current and future generations,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The Gas City Performing Arts Center will not only elevate the region’s assets and identity, but it will create an avenue to cultivate Indiana’s growing creative economy and accelerate arts and culture education for students and residents alike.” 

In east central Indiana, the $19.2 million Gas City Performing Arts Center ($2.75 million READI 1.0 allocation) is now open to the public. The nearly 40,000-square-foot, 1,830-seat music venue will fill a critical void of entertainment spaces in Gas City and the surrounding areas, serving as the main venue for the local school district’s fine arts programming and a hub for music, comedy and theater performances. 

The venue, which is strategically located just off Insterstate-69 between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, is designed to attract and host national and regional artists and performances, nurture the next generation of artists, and foster a community culture of artistic expression. The Gas City Performing Arts Center already has performances scheduled throughout the fall, with its first event – The Classic Rock Experience – scheduled for Oct. 4.  
 
“I am extremely grateful for everyone involved in the success of this monumental project, not only for Gas City and Grant County, but the East Central Indiana Region and the entire state,” said Gas City Mayor Bill Rock. “This project is the result of the dedication of our team and the support of the community. The city of Gas City is excited to be able to serve as a destination for arts and entertainment and looks forward to the positive change this project will have on our region.” 

READI 1.0 has awarded $487 million to 353 unique projects and programs across the state, yielding $12.6 billion invested (26:1 investment leverage ratio) in quality of life, quality of place and quality of opportunity initiatives. READI 2.0, which was part of Gov. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda and secured additional funding awarded by the Lilly Endowment, is allocating another $750 million to accelerate community development investments statewide. This funding is expected to attract a minimum 4:1 match of local public and private funding, yielding at least $3 billion invested to increase the vibrancy and prosperity of Hoosier communities.   

Gas City is part of the READI East Central Indiana region – led by the East Central Indiana Regional Partnership – that was awarded $50 million in READI 1.0 and READI 2.0 matching funds to support quality of life, quality of place and quality of opportunity projects across Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph and Wayne counties. The region’s READI investments, including the Gas City Performing Arts Center, are designed to accelerate economic growth, regional prosperity and population growth through investments in quality of life, housing and infrastructure, childcare and family support, and education and opportunity.