The Regional Development Authority approved Regional Cities Initiative funding for two projects on Tuesday. The Embassy Theatre and the Dekalb County YMCA could receive grant money, but the Indiana Economic Development Corporation has it approve it first.
The IEDC will have 35 days to decide whether to approve the two projects. The Embassy Theatre is requesting $1.7 million and the Dekalb County YMCA in Auburn is requesting $947,000.
Michael Galbraith is the director of the Road to One Million, a plan that aims to attract more business investment and talent to the region. He hopes the projects can attract people to Northeast Indiana.
“One of the things that we want to make sure is that people both are attracted to coming to the region and that people want to make sure that they remain in the region,” Galbraith said.
The money for the Embassy Theatre would complete a three-year, $10 million project that includes a rooftop garden and a two-story-high ballroom.
The YMCA would use the money for a project that includes a new natatorium, soccer fields and playground.
The RDA board is responsible for allocating the $42 million dollars in state money to projects it thinks could increase economic and population growth.
