Region 3-A Development and Regional Planning Commission

What Region 3-A Development and Regional Planning Commission does

Region 3-A Development and Regional Planning Commission is a quasi-governmental regional planning organization operating under Indiana Code (I.C. 36-7-7) and headquartered at 217 Fairview Boulevard, Kendallville, Indiana. Founded in 1974 and one of nine federally designated Economic Development Districts (EDDs) in Indiana, the commission serves six counties (Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, and Whitley) and 32 municipalities across Northeast Indiana, representing a combined population of approximately 226,919 residents. It is governed by a 32-member Board of Directors appointed by its member counties, cities, and towns.

The commission provides four core service lines — Economic Development, Community Development, Transportation, and Housing Programs — delivered through approximately a dozen sub-services including EDA, OCRA, INDOT, EPA Brownfields, USDOT SS4A, Shovel Ready, Tax Abatements, wastewater/drinking water infrastructure, stormwater, Main Street Revitalization, recovery housing, owner-occupied rehabilitation, low-income housing tax credits, and housing studies. Underlying technology is centered on GIS-based mapping and planning tools, systematic traffic count data collection on a three-year rotation, and FCC broadband mapping and challenge process assistance.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The commission provides technical assistance, grant writing, and planning services free of charge to member communities, with operations funded through the federal EDA designation, state agency grants (OCRA, INDOT, EPA), and local government contributions. Over 50 years, the commission reports securing tens of millions of dollars in funding for member communities, with documented awards including $1.3M (Avilla EDA industrial park), $4M (Wabash Heartland Career Center), $1.2M (Ashley Brightmark infrastructure), $750K (Huntington and Kendallville recovery housing), and multiple SS4A safety grants.

Name

Region 3-A Development and Regional Planning Commission

Legal name

Region III-A Development and Regional Planning Commission

Website

https://region3a.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Region 3-A Development and Regional Planning Commission is a quasi-governmental EDD serving six counties and 32 municipalities in Northeast Indiana, providing free technical assistance, grant writing, and planning services funded by federal EDA designation and state agency grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Planning Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Administration of Housing Programs (92511)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAAAC

Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Central/Federal Government Administration

SECONDARYFSALAKAF

Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans)

Financial & Insurance/Mortgage & Housing Finance/Housing Finance Agencies & Government-Sponsored Housing Programs

Keywords

• Regional planning services
• Grant coordination assistance
• Economic development district
• Community development programs
• Transportation planning grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Kendallville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal EDA Funding: Region 3A is one of nine Economic Development Districts in Indiana, eligible for funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the U.S. Department of Commerce
2. State Agency Grants: Technical assistance and grant coordination services funded through Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), INDOT, EPA Brownfields, and other state agencies
3. Local Government Membership: Governed by 32-member Board of Directors appointed by the six counties, cities, and towns within its service area; operates under Regional Planning Commission statute (I.C. 36-7-7)

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Region 3-A provides technical assistance, grant writing, and planning services to six counties and 32 municipalities in Northeast Indiana. The commission coordinates access to federal and state funding programs (EDA, OCRA, INDOT, EPA, USDOT), develops Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) plans, and supports economic, community, transportation, and housing projects. Services are delivered free of charge to member communities, funded through federal EDA designation, state grants, and local government contributions.

Product overview

Region 3-A Development and Regional Planning Commission is a quasi-governmental regional planning organization operating under Indiana Code (I.C. 36-7-7) as a regional unit of government. The organization provides a unified suite of four core service areas: Economic Development Services (including Brownfields, Shovel Ready, EDA, and Tax Abatements programs), Community Development Services (covering wastewater/drinking water, stormwater, public facilities, Main Street revitalization, blight clearance, and planning grants), Transportation Services (including SS4A grants, traffic counts, accident studies, and road safety audits), and Housing Programs (owner-occupied rehabilitation, low-income housing tax credits, and housing studies). The organization serves as a single point of contact for six counties (Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, and Whitley) and 32 municipalities in Northeast Indiana, facilitating coordination with state and federal agencies for grant funding and technical assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Economic Development Services Grant application assistance and technical support for communities and organizations seeking funding through programs including Brownfields, Shovel Ready, EDA, and Tax Abatements to revitalize structures and encourage economic growth.
• Community Development Services Comprehensive planning and program funding assistance for community initiatives including wastewater/drinking water systems, stormwater improvement, public facilities, Main Street revitalization, blight clearance, and planning grants.
• Transportation Services Transportation planning assistance including Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program support, road reclassification applications, traffic counts, accident studies, traffic impact reports, and road safety audits.
• Housing Programs Housing development assistance including owner-occupied rehabilitation support, low-income housing tax credit project coordination, and housing studies.
• Brownfields Program Environmental remediation support for designated properties requiring cleanup for redevelopment, expansion, or reuse.
• Shovel Ready Program Indiana Site Certified program designation assistance to certify that sites are ready for development, with Silver, Gold, and Prime tiers.
• EDA Grant Assistance Federal Economic Development Administration grant application support for public works, economic adjustment, and planning projects.
• Tax Abatements Tax abatement program application assistance to decrease or remove property taxes for qualifying projects.
• Wastewater/Drinking Water Program Funding assistance for community wastewater and drinking water infrastructure improvements through OCRA grants up to $700,000.
• Stormwater Improvement Program Stormwater system improvement funding assistance up to $600,000 for qualifying projects.
• Main Street Revitalization Program Downtown improvement funding up to $600,000 for Indiana Main Street organization members, including streetscapes, facade improvements, and infrastructure.
• Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program Comprehensive safety action plan development and grant application support for USDOT SS4A funding to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of millions of dollars in funding secured for communities over 50 years of operation
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2022Region 3A joined NIIC's Adaptive Community Navigator project, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The program uses a community navigator approach to help small businesses, with focus on veteran-owned, women-owned, and socially/economically disadvantaged businesses. Region 3A coordinates and integrates a regional support network including LEDOs, EDOs, and trusted connector organizations.
• Economic Development Administration (EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency under the Department of Commerce that provides EDD designation and funding eligibility. Region 3A is one of nine EDA-designated Economic Development Districts in Indiana, enabling access to federal economic development funding.
• Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency providing funding for wastewater/drinking water programs, public facilities, main street revitalization, blight clearance, and planning grants. Region 3A assists communities with OCRA grant applications.
• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency for transportation projects including Community Crossings grants, Safe Routes to School, Highway Safety Improvement Program, and road reclassification. Region 3A provides technical assistance for INDOT grant applications.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing Brownfields Assessment Grants for environmental remediation and redevelopment of contaminated properties. Region 3A assists communities with EPA Brownfields grant applications.
• County Governments (Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Whitley)coreOthersSix member counties governed by a 32-member Board of Directors. Founding members in 1974 were Steuben, Lagrange, Noble, and Whitley Counties. Huntington County added in 1985, Wabash County added in 2010.
• U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing transportation grants including Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), RAISE grants, and EV charging station funding. Region 3A assists communities with USDOT grant applications.
• Northeast Indiana Regional Planning PartnershipminorOthersPartnership with local organizations to provide COVID-19 relief and recovery information, including Baker Tilly for American Rescue Plan funding guidance.
• Association of Indiana Counties (AIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization representing county governments; provides resources for CARES Act funding guidance and annual awards recognizing intergovernmental cooperation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Development Organizations (NADO): National membership association representing the U.S. network of EDA-designated Economic Development Districts including all nine Indiana EDDs. Provides the umbrella governance, training, and federal advocacy framework that Region 3A operates within.
• Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC): Indiana's statewide economic development agency that interfaces with broader corporate-attraction and incentive programs. Operates in the same sector but at state level with a much broader commercial-attraction mandate.

Emerging players

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution that supports housing and economic development in underserved communities. Comparable in mission around LIHTC and owner-occupied rehab, but operates across a multi-state footprint rather than a single Indiana region.

Regional players

• Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership: Eleven-county regional economic development organization for Northeast Indiana, overlapping with Region 3A's geography but focused on business attraction and workforce development rather than municipal technical assistance.
• Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA): Indiana state agency that funds Region 3A's wastewater, drinking water, Main Street, and planning grant programs. A direct upstream funder and the statutory counterpart whose programs Region 3A administers at the local level.

Direct peers

• Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG): Regional council of governments serving north-central Indiana and southwest Michigan counties with planning, transportation, and economic development coordination. Operates an analogous intergovernmental model within the same state context.
• Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC): Another Indiana regional planning commission serving a multi-county jurisdiction with economic development, transportation, and community planning functions. Directly comparable in statutory role, EDA-adjacent designation, and member-government governance model.

Others

• Indiana Association of Regional Councils: Statewide coordination body supporting Indiana's network of regional planning councils and EDDs. Adjacent ecosystem participant that strengthens the institutional framework in which Region 3A operates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/region3a

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Region 3-A Development and Regional Planning Commission