FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Indiana lawmakers fully funded all three of Governor Mike Pence’s Regional Cities Fund recipients Thursday night.

Pence is applauding the Indiana General Assembly for approving $42-million each for three regional development plans as part of the Regional Cities Initiative. House Bill 1001 covers a gap that was formed when three winners of the development money were announced instead of the two that lawmakers originally planned for.

The South Bend, Fort Wayne and Evansville areas were all chosen to receive the money to fund a number of “quality of place” projects meant to spur economic development and population growth.

“Funding of the third regional city is great news for Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana and equally great news for the economic progress of our state. These matching state funds will attract private sector investment to grow our state’s population, attract a new generation of talent for our employers and move our state forward,” said John Sampson, president and chief executive officer of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.

The state’s Economic Development Corporation continues to support and collaborate with the four additional regions who participated in the initiative.