Perry County's $15M Windfall: How READI Funds Are Reviving Tell City One Community Event at a Time
Along the banks of the Ohio River in Tell City, Perry County is embracing a bold opportunity. A $15 million grant from Indiana’s READI program, shared across the Indiana First region with Harrison, Knox, Pike, and Spencer counties, is driving projects to enhance quality of life, infrastructure, and economic growth.
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Along the banks of the Ohio River in Tell City, Perry County is embracing a bold opportunity. A $15 million grant from Indiana’s READI program, shared across the Indiana First region with Harrison, Knox, Pike, and Spencer counties, is driving projects to enhance quality of life, infrastructure, and economic growth. For a county of 19,213 residents, where manufacturing has dwindled and young families often seek opportunities elsewhere, this funding offers a lifeline. The Indiana First region, including Perry County, secured these funds to spark change, with projects like Hoosier Heights in Tell City—a $10.3 million housing initiative—already underway.
The money is fueling community hubs, workforce training, and small business incentives, breathing hope into revitalizing downtowns in Tell City and Cannelton. Investments in tourism along the riverfront could create jobs, tapping into the county’s scenic Ohio River charm. Across the region, this program has already spurred $153 million in private investment, signaling a brighter economic future. Safety is a key focus.
Perry County, vulnerable to Ohio River flooding, is using funds to strengthen infrastructure like flood barriers and emergency alert systems. This is vital for low-lying areas like Evanston and Derby, where overflows have disrupted lives. Recent challenges, like lane closures on State Road 237 in Cannelton starting August 11, 2025, for a bridge replacement, highlight the need for such upgrades, as commutes to Evansville face delays. Education is also set to gain.
Perry Central Community Schools could benefit from new vocational training programs, preparing students for growing industries. In a county where 12.84% of residents live below the poverty line, these efforts aim to keep talent local and curb outmigration. Some details are still unfolding. The exact split of Perry County’s share of the $15 million—how much goes to schools, roads, or businesses—remains unclear.
Future county commissioner meetings in Cannelton’s Courthouse may provide answers. For Perry County’s small-town streets, where the Ohio River shapes daily life, this READI investment is more than money—it’s a chance to rebuild resilience, one project at a time. As Tell City looks forward, these funds could anchor a new era of opportunity.