WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. - From infrastructure improvements to community development, organizations across Wayne County are actively investing in the region's future. Ongoing upgrades to public spaces, new housing initiatives, and targeted business incentives are setting the stage for long-term growth and improved quality of life.
One major effort underway is the expansion of single-family housing throughout the area.
In July, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County announced plans for the construction of 82 new homes over the next five years, as part of the Housing Accelerator Program.
The program focuses on supporting public infrastructure in unfinished subdivisions, helping developers complete neighborhoods that stalled due to a lack of roads, utilities, or sidewalks.
"We wanted to set this program up to help local or regional house builders consider accelerating their production of homes in Richmond and Wayne County," said Valerie Shaffer, president, and Sarah Mitchell, manager of economic development for Wayne County.
To attract builders, the EDC offered $10,000 per lot in incentives through the program.
The initiative is supported by $820,000 from the EDC and is part of a broader $26 million investment in housing development across the county.
The EDC received nine applications for this project. Of those, five were selected for funding. The selected projects are: Meers Estates in Cambridge City, Willowbrook Place in Centerville, Garwood Acres, Sandbridge Hills, and Hidden Valley in Richmond.
The investment results in the construction of 41 homes in Centerville and Cambridge City and 41 homes in Richmond.
The Housing Accelerator Program was launched in partnership with Wayne County Government and is funded through the Consolidated EDIT Fund and the Wayne County EDIT Fund. Three developers are behind the five approved projects. Trademark Construction, one of the main participants, will oversee developments in Hidden Valley (Richmond), Sandbridge Hills (Richmond), Woolbrook Estates (Centerville), and Mier Estates (Cambridge City).
The homes will range in price from $250,000 to $450,000, with sizes varying between 1,200 to 3,500 square feet.
"This will create churn in the marketplace," they explained. "Individuals that might be in more of a starter home could be moving into these new homes that are built, which frees up some additional homes within the real estate market here in Wayne County."
By filling critical infrastructure gaps, the program is helping to unlock the full potential of existing subdivisions and meet growing demand for housing. The Housing Accelerator Program is the result of years of planning and aligns with goals outlined in Wayne County's Comprehensive Plans, as well as the City of Richmond.
