Economic Enhancement District for Mile Square will not be repealed

By JILL SHERIDAN Senate committee discusses a bill that would have repealed the EED. (Photo from Indiana General Assembly live stream) Indianapolis’ planned economic enhancement district, or EED, will not be repealed. A bill put the funding tool at risk but an amendment saves the district – with some caveats. The& EED was approved& by the Indianapolis City-County Council last year after 2023 legislation allowed the move. It charges a fee for property owners in the Mile Square district to support public safety, beautification and homelessness projects.& It builds on efforts started using federal relief dollars. Representative Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) authored the bill and said the city didn’t need the tool. “If Indianapolis believes the enhanced services provided with the ARPA funds are worthy to continue, they have the tools they need to provide this funding,” McGuire said. Supporters of the EED argued that other municipalities use similar funding mechanisms. The& bill passed the Indiana House& where apartment building owners spoke in favor of the repeal. An amendment passed in a Senate committee this week omits these owners but allows them to opt into the district.& Senator Andrea Hunley (D-Indianapolis) urged those owners to support the move. “I’m hoping that...