The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has launched the Regional Redevelopment Tax Credit (RTC) and the Small-Town Opportunity Initiative (STOI). During the 2026 session of the Indiana General Assembly, new requirements were created which require that all RTC and STOI applications be submitted and reviewed by a regional entity before they are forwarded to the IEDC for final review and approval.
The ECI READI Steering Committee must review all RTC and STOI applications from Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, and Wayne Counties before submission to the IEDC. Considering this, the Steering Committee has established a regional submission deadline for developers seeking these tax credits. This regional review ensures that projects are complete, well-documented, and competitive before they reach the state for consideration, and allows the ECI READI Steering Committee to provide feedback ahead of final submission.
Regional Redevelopment Tax Credit (RTC)
The Regional Redevelopment Tax Credit (RTC) is an income tax credit incentivizing taxpaying developers to redevelop vacant and underutilized land and buildings—encouraging community revitalization and improving our regions’ quality of place.
Small Town Opportunity Initiative (STOI)
The Small Town Opportunity Initiative (STOI) incentivizes for-profit and non-profit developers to redevelop, rehabilitate or preserve vacant/underutilized land/buildings in community centers, downtowns and Main Streets. It is available to those investing in qualified sites within specific population parameters.
| Milestone | Date | Action |
| Regional Application Deadline | Monday, September 28, 2026, by 5 PM | Applications due via email to Caitlin Hancock at chancock@forgeeci.com |
| ECI READI Steering Committee Review | October 6, 2026 | ECI READI Steering Committee will review applications |
| Submission to IEDC | October 31, 2026, by 5 PM | All applications must be submitted (after regional review) to IEDC for final review and approval |
How to Submit an Application:
- All interested applicants are encouraged to speak with Caitlin Hancock and the project county’s steering committee members (see list at end of document) and the IEDC regarding the project’s eligibility and fundability before pursuing an application.
- Complete the RTC/STOI application checklist (available below) and gather all required supporting documentation.
- Email the completed application and all supporting materials to Caitlin Hancock at chancock@forgeeci.com no later than Monday, September 28, 2026, by 5 PM.
- Applications will first be reviewed and discussed by the ECI READI Steering Committee at its meeting on October 6, 2026.
- All applications will be submitted (after regional review) to IEDC by October 31, 2026.