Indiana Shovel Ready Program


The Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s (IEDC) Shovel Ready Program reduces potential costs of site development for businesses and enhances the marketability of certified sites.

The goals of the Shovel Ready Program are to:

  • Certify sites and existing buildings to expedite the location and permitting processes for business development
  • Help local communities identify and prepare sites and existing buildings for economic development
  • Identify and fast track the state and local permits necessary for a specific site

Shovel Ready certified sites are identified by the Shovel Ready logo on the IEDC Site & Building database.

 

Minimum Standards

The minimum standards listed below must be met for a site to be considered for certification:

  • Executive-level local government official support. (Elected official or executive is defined as a Mayor, County Commissioner or Town Council President).
  • Site Ownership / Control:
    • Clear title or development option
    • 50-year title search
    • Letter from property owner/option holder stating that site is for sale/lease
  • Maps:
    • ALTA Map
    • Site map showing lot layout
    • USGS Topographical Map
    • Aerial Map
  • Phase I Environmental Site Assessment performed by a certified professional within the prior six months (Phase I Report and supporting information based on ASTM standards E 1527-00 or E 1527-05.) Remediated sites provide documentation of liability protection.
  • Wetland delineation demonstrating that impacts to waters of the state will be avoided or mitigation plan approved by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
  • Water and wastewater infrastructure to property line or demonstrate the ability to construct and pay for the infrastructure up to property line. Capacity clearly defined.
  • Transportation infrastructure to property line or demonstrate the ability to construct and pay for the infrastructure up to property line.
  • Electric infrastructure to property line or demonstrate the ability to construct and pay for the infrastructure up to property line. Capacity clearly identified.
  • Natural gas infrastructure to property line or demonstrate the ability to pay for the infrastructure up to the property line. Capacity clearly identified.
  • High speed communications infrastructure to property line or demonstrate the ability to construct and pay for infrastructure up to property line. Capacity clearly identified.

The complete list of application criteria is available on page one of the Shovel Ready Program Application.

 

Selection Criteria

The IEDC, in partnership with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Fast Access Site Team (FASTeam), evaluate and approve the applications  and deliver expedited state permitting.

The IEDC is committed to maintaining a diverse selection of certified sites, including both greenfield sites, existing buildings and remediated sites. Diversity factors include community size, type of development project and geography. There are no minimum or maximum acreage requirements.

 

Application Procedures

Four electronic copies (either compact disc (CD) or USB flash drive) of the complete application should be submitted to your OCRA community liaison.  Click HERE for community liaison contact information. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

If submit a complete application and are denied certification, you may reapply within one year for Shovel Ready certification using your existing application. Your updated application should include a cover letter and any material changes.

The applicant will be required annually to notify its OCRA community liaison of any changes or alterations, such as zoning or infrastructure changes, from its original application. The applicant must stay in compliance with the reporting requirements of the Site and Building Database Management System and report number of jobs on current site on an annual basis for five years once development is complete. The reporting time may be extended at the discretion of the IEDC. Failure to submit updates could lead to the loss of the Shovel Ready certification.

These guidelines may be modified at any time by the IEDC to address demand and other issues to promote the effective and efficient administration of the Shovel Ready Program.

For additional information, please contact your OCRA community liaison: 

http://www.in.gov/ocra/2330.htm