About the Indy East
Promise Zone

FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS, INDY EAST RESIDENTS, MAJOR INSTITUTIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO CREATE A NEW STORY FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

In the 1980’s, the Near Eastside of Indianapolis was home to middle-class families with good paying manufacturing jobs. With the decline of this sector of the local economy, and the resulting loss of many of those working families, these neighborhoods suffered from under-investment, concentrated poverty and blight. In 2007, Near Eastside residents came together to develop a comprehensive, grassroots approach to neighborhood redevelopment. 

People looking at mural
$240,755,044

in Federal Funding

34

Organizations Funded

15

Federal Agencies

$1,735,975

Pending Awards

Mayor and children

Indy East Promise Zone

What Is A Promise zone?

Promise Zones are high poverty and high capacity communities where the federal government will work with local leaders to increase efforts to achieve neighborhood created goals and priorities.

Promise Zones are selected through a competitive grant application process.  For the second round of applications, there were a total of 123 applications and eight of those were selected to receive the Promise Zone designation (six urban, one rural and one tribal).

There are 22 Promise Zones nationwide.  In 2014, the first five were announced.  In 2015, eight more, including the near Eastside of Indianapolis, were announced. In 2016, the final nine were announced.

Indy East Promise Zone

Goals and promises

As the lead applicant, the John H. Boner Community Center and the residents of Near Eastside Indianapolis have enlisted the assistance of multiple organizations to develop strategies around the following five goals to improve the quality of life and accelerate revitalization.

LIVE INDY EAST

Our Goal // Affordable Housing and Redevelopment

We promise to create an economically and socially diverse community by investing in vacant properties and redeveloping them into new, affordable housing options for existing and new residents. View sub-goals.

WORK INDY EAST

Our Goal // Job Creation

We promise to develop neighborhood businesses, industries, and commerce that employ residents in living wage jobs. We will support entrepreneurship, job training, and the repurposing of vacant industrial spaces. View sub-goals.

BUY INDY EAST

Our Goal // Increase Economic Activity

We promise to create vibrant commercial corridors that provide desirable goods, services, and amenities to our residents, and establish IndyEast as a regional destination for shopping, dining, and recreation. View sub-goals.

LEARN INDY EAST

Our Goal // Education

We promise all children will receive exceptional education from cradle to career, including developmentally appropriate early childhood services, high quality elementary and secondary schools, and opportunities for postsecondary education and training. View sub-goals.

SAFE INDY EAST

Our Goal // Reduce Serious & Violent Crime

We promise to create a bright, welcoming environment in which neighbors and visitors feel safe and secure as they go about their days in IndyEast. View sub-goals.

Check out the latest news and stories about the Indy East Promise Zone