NexusPark to receive $4.2 million state grant to expand campus

Indiana Economic Development Corporation Press Release

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) today announced that Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0 (READI 2.0) projects are officially underway in southcentral Indiana with the expansion of NexusPark, a health, wellness and recreation facility designed to improve the quality of life for residents of Columbus and the surrounding communities.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb established the $1.25 billion READI program in 2021, which has since been nationally recognized for its success. READI 2.0, which was part of the Governor’s Next Level 2023 Agenda and approved by the Indiana General Assembly, allocates another $500 million for regions across the state to accelerate projects and programs that are ready to go to work to transform Indiana communities, attract talent and improve the lives of Hoosiers in the short and long term. READI 2.0 funding allocations were awarded in April to 15 regions representing all 92 Indiana counties.

“Indiana’s READI program has challenged local and regional leaders to think creatively and strategically about their future, and the NexusPark project is an inspiring example of reuse—transforming an abandoned shopping center into a regional destination for health and wellness, recreation, and economic impact,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg. “This development is already driving community connection and regional growth, and this next phase of investment will build on that momentum, creating a lasting impact for Hoosiers throughout Columbus and the South Central region.”

In Columbus, the region’s first READI 2.0 project will build on the development of READI 1.0 – the creation of NexusPark, which transforms an abandoned shopping center into a health and wellness destination. Phase one of the project includes the development of an indoor sports facility, a regional wellness services center, city park administrative offices, community spaces for residents and families, and an outdoor park and trail.

Now, the district is investing $4.2 million (including a $1 million READI 2.0 allocation) in the next phase of development, which will include adding artificial turf to six outdoor ball fields in adjacent Lincoln Park and creating a complementary set of amenities to enhance the future outdoor campus, which is expected to include green space, trails, lighting and outdoor restrooms. With the recent addition of NexusPark Fieldhouse, the synthetic turf at Lincoln Park will create new opportunities for a mix of indoor and outdoor sporting events and extend the event season, increasing economic benefits by an estimated $950,000 per year. The project is expected to begin later this year and be completed by the end of 2025.

“The adaptive reuse of a former shopping center into NexusPark, a 550,000-square-foot health and wellness facility, was made possible by READI 1 dollars. State funding through READI 1 has expanded the impact we can have on the quality of life for our local residents and has given a healthy boost to our sports tourism industry,” said Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon. “The additional state funding through READI 2.0 allows us to grow regional sports tourism and increase both the number of events we can host and the quality of the game. If the goal of READI funding was to increase economic impact, Columbus has achieved that goal by helping make these investments in our region and the future of our city.”

READI 1.0 awarded $487 million to 353 unique projects and programs statewide, resulting in $12.6 billion invested (a 26:1 leverage ratio) in quality of life, quality of place, and quality of opportunity initiatives. READI 2.0, which secured additional funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., allocates another $750 million to accelerate community development investments statewide. This funding is expected to leverage at least 4:1 local public and private funding, resulting in at least $3 billion invested to enhance the vitality and prosperity of Hoosier communities.

Columbus is part of the South Central READI region – led by the Southern Indiana Housing and Community Development Corporation – which has been awarded a combined $60 million in READI 1.0 and READI 2.0 matching funds to support quality of life, quality of place, and quality of opportunity projects in Bartholomew, Jackson, and Jennings counties, as well as the city of Edinburg. The region’s investments in READI, including the expansion of NexusPark, are designed to inspire and nurture collaboration among businesses and communities to build powerful technologies, prosperous communities, and a resilient future by focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, education and workforce development, housing, and quality of place.

Learn more at IndianaREADI.com.