Pictured, from left: Vice Chair Accelerate Rural Indiana RDA Andy Saner, Mayor John Irrgang, Executive Director MMHF Jonathon Maple, MMH President and CEO Liz Leising, Batesville Economic Development Director Sarah Lamping, Director of Indiana READI Jim Rawlinson, Economic Development Team Lead HWC Engineering Mason Gordon, Chair Accelerate Rural Indiana RDA Bryan Robbins
Margaret Mary Health Foundation has been allocated $2 million from the second round of Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 2.0) to advance the development of Margaret Mary Health’s new health and wellness campus.
“We are incredibly honored and proud to partner with the state of Indiana on the READI 2.0 Initiative,” said Jonathon Maple, MMHF Executive Director. “This support has enabled us to take significant steps towards reaching our capital campaign goal of $10 million, but more importantly, it will have a lasting impact on our community’s health and economy.”
The READI 2.0 allocation, which was made by the Accelerate Rural Indiana Regional Development Authority and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, will fund outdoor trails and community spaces on the new health and wellness campus. The READI 2.0 funding award leverages MMH’s commitment to invest at least $115 million in phase 1 of the Health and Wellness Campus.
Batesville is part of the Accelerate Rural Indiana (ARI) region – led by the Accelerate Rural Indiana Regional Development Authority – that was awarded $50 million in READI 1.0 and 2.0 matching funds to grow the region’s quality of place, quality of life and quality of opportunity across Decatur, Rush and Shelby counties, as well as the city of Batesville. The region’s projects and programs are designed to reimagine the rural region’s ability to attract and retain talent by expanding and improving housing options, making place-based asset improvements, increasing regional education opportunities, upgrading and expanding infrastructure and telling the region’s story. ARI is the first region to unlock access to READI 2.0 funding after disbursing 65 percent of its READI 1.0 dollars to projects and programs.
“Supporting the construction of the new hospital is crucial for our community’s well-being. It will provide essential medical services and ensure that our residents have access to the best possible healthcare. I’m glad to see READI recognizes the importance of Margaret Mary Health in our region,” said Batesville Mayor John Irrgang.
Located on State Route 229 just north of the I-74 Batesville interchange, MMH’s new replacement hospital is designed to improve the patient experience, draw new healthcare professionals to the community and serve as an anchor for an expanded health and wellness campus. The 125,000-square-foot facility is set to open in 2026.