Governor Braun Launched Quality of Place Partnership

The two-year initiative aims to measure the long-term impact of public investments across Indiana communities.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Remote Work

Governor Braun Launched Quality of Place Partnership

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Governor Mike Braun has introduced the Indiana Quality of Place Learning Partnership to study and quantify the endurance of public investments. Led by the Landmark Columbus Foundation, the project seeks to develop a standardized framework for evaluating regional development efforts.

Why it matters

The program aims to understand what makes public investment in quality of place truly endure over time, providing a template for future economic development across Indiana. It seeks to bridge the gap between initial funding and long-term community revitalization results.

The partnership is a two-year effort supported by the $1.25 billion READI program. Each of the participating communities will contribute a five-person, cross-sector delegation to tackle design and development challenges.

The players

Mike Braun

He is the Governor of Indiana who oversees state economic and development policy.

Landmark Columbus Foundation

This is an organization dedicated to the study and promotion of design excellence in Columbus and beyond.

Indiana Economic Development Corporation

This state agency is responsible for growing the economy and attracting businesses to Indiana.

Indiana Arts Commission

This state-level agency works to foster the arts and community development through public investment.

The details

Participating regions will send delegations to Columbus to address design challenges and collaborate on the creation of a measurement framework. The initiative draws on the expertise of the Landmark Columbus Foundation, which has studied design in the region for eighty years.

Oct. 8-10, 2026: Summit in Columbus kicks off the partnership
Oct. 9, 2026: Delegations work on design challenges
Fall 2026: Draft framework and indicators shared
2026-2028: Two-year effort duration
2028: End of cohort hosting period

Market Landscape

The initiative follows the investment patterns set by the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). This project positions local communities to better compete for future state funding by creating evidence-based benchmarks for project success.

The partnership provides a roadmap for communities to better utilize state funds for public design and infrastructure projects. Residents in participating regions can expect their local leaders to be better equipped to measure and improve the quality of public spaces in their own neighborhoods.

The takeaway

Communities that focus on standardized measurement of public space improvements are often better positioned to sustain long-term economic growth. Local leaders should prioritize cross-sector collaboration to ensure that design investments deliver lasting value to the public.

What happens next

The partnership will officially begin with a summit held in Columbus from October 8-10, 2026. Following the event, a draft framework and starter set of indicators will be shared with the public later in the fall of 2026.