RICHMOND, Ind. – A groundbreaking ceremony Thursday marked a historic investment in Richmond’s Vaile Neighborhood.

22 new affordable homes are going to be built for low- to moderate-income families.

The $1.2 million project, funded through Indiana’s READI program, will transform vacant lots into opportunities for families to put down roots.

“These homes will be built on infill lots in the neighborhood and right behind me is one of those lots here today,” said Valerie Shaffer, president of the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation.

Shaffer emphasized that the project will not only strengthen the community but attract families to the local school district.

READI is a statewide program that helps regions implement strategies for population growth and economic development. For Richmond, this represents the next step in a decade of revitalization efforts.

“We've worked on a lot of different projects in this neighborhood over the last decade,” said Sarah Mitchell, Wayne County’s economic development manager. “It’s not just about today, but it's just moving that one more step forward.”

The Vaile Neighborhood is named after Dr. Joel Vaile, Richmond’s first school board member in the 1800s. The neighborhood sits between Old Richmond and the Glen Miller/Brewer District. Over the past decade, millions have been invested here through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and owner-occupied rehab projects. This resulted in new sidewalks and streets and the elimination of unsafe homes.

“These neighborhoods often face challenges, yet they hold tremendous opportunity for redevelopment,” Mitchell said.

Key partners on this project include Intend Indiana, Wayne County Foundation, Interurban, Richmond Power & Light, the City of Richmond, Habitat for Humanity, and the Richmond Housing Authority.

“What’s really special is that you and your friends are a part of this change by hearing about your neighborhood, keeping it clean, being kind to others, you make this a better place. Your neighborhood is improving and becoming stronger every day,” Mitchell said.

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County has been awarded $5.1 million through Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI).

READI is a statewide program that helps regions implement strategies for population growth and economic development.

Through this award, Wayne County will focus on improving housing, neighborhood revitalization, and community development projects.

Under the READI 2.0 initiative, three key areas will drive revitalization:

• Starr Neighborhood (Richmond): Funding will help rehabilitate 22 historic homes, returning them to owner-occupied status and preserving the district’s architectural character.
• Vaile Neighborhood (Richmond): Nonprofit Intend Indiana will build 22 new single-family homes on vacant lots, providing affordable housing for low- to moderate-income families.
• Downtown Wayne County: The program will expand downtown revitalization efforts, focusing on remediating blight, reopening vacant buildings, creating upper-story housing, and supporting historic preservation to attract investment and increase community vibrancy.

The initiative will create or rehabilitate a total of 144 housing units with a combined investment exceeding $55 million.

Key partners include Intend Indiana, Wayne County Foundation, Interurban, Richmond Power & Light, the City of Richmond, Habitat for Humanity, and the Richmond Housing Authority.

Construction and redevelopment are scheduled to continue through 2028, with design and predevelopment starting in 2025.