The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced on August 6th that applications are now open for the 2026 Indiana Main Street program.
Continue readingApplications now open for Indiana Main Street program
Lt. Gov. Pleased with Restructuring of Indiana’s Main Street Program
The restructuring of Indiana’s Main Street program is already showing signs of success, according to Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch. The program provides downtown revitalization help for designated communities through grants, training sessions, and other resources.
Continue readingStarke County ‘Space Tree’ Marker to Be Unveiled Tomorrow
Efforts to recognize Starke County’s “Space Tree” have gotten the approval of the county commissioners. The seed orbited the Earth on the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1988 and was planted on the northwest corner of the courthouse square in 1990. But Kathy Norem with Knox Main Street United told the commissioners Monday that there was never a marker until now.
Continue readingKnox Main Street United Gets OCRA Downtown Affiliate Network Designation
Downtown Knox has been added to the base level of the Indiana Main Street program. Knox Main Street United is now an accredited member of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Downtown Affiliate Network. It’s one of four incoming programs announced by OCRA on Wednesday.
Continue readingFun Run Planned to Celebrate Starke County’s ‘Space Tree’
A living piece of space exploration history will be celebrated with a fun run in Downtown Knox. On the northwest corner of the Starke County Courthouse Square is a sycamore tree, grown from a seed that orbited the Earth on the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1988. Seedlings were given to each Indiana county, and Starke County’s was planted on the courthouse lawn in April of 1990.
Continue readingBall State Students Discuss Downtown Revitalization Opportunities with North Judson Leaders
Bringing new life to Downtown North Judson may involve capitalizing on nearby amenities but would also require some local leaders to step up. Graduate students from Ball State University held a virtual community engagement session with town officials and business owners Monday.
Continue readingBall State Students Begin Study of North Judson
A Ball State University class has begun its study of Downtown North Judson. J.P. Hall and six of his graduate students conducted their first site visit Monday. Hall told the town council Monday night that they’ll spend the next six weeks engaging with local community members and putting together a final document.
Continue readingKnox Main Street United Submits Application
Efforts to get a Main Street designation for Downtown Knox took a major step forward Friday. Knox Main Street United submitted its application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Continue readingKnox City Council Approves Funding for Main Street Effort, Holiday Decorations
Efforts to get a Main Street designation for Downtown Knox recently got a financial boost from the city. The city council has agreed to provide $5,000 to Knox Main Street United from the city’s Riverboat Fund.
Continue readingKnox City Council to Consider Funding for Main Street Organization, Holiday Decorations
The Knox City Council will consider whether to chip in $5,000 toward the city’s Main Street effort tonight. A group called Knox Main Street United has formed to help revitalize the downtown and seek a Main Street designation from the state. That would make the downtown area eligible for additional grants and other outside redevelopment help.
Continue readingMore COVID-19 Relief Available to Main Street Programs
More COVID-19 relief will soon be going to Indiana’s Main Street communities. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has launched a second round of its Taking Care of Main Street program.
Continue readingKnox City Council to Consider Main Street Resolution, Fund Transfer Tonight
The Knox City Council will decide tonight whether to give its official support for efforts to get a Main Street designation. A resolution committing the city to working with the newly-formed Knox Main Street United organization to implement the goals of the Indiana Main Street Program will be up for the council’s approval.
Continue readingKnox Continues to Seek Volunteers to Help City Achieve Main Street Designation
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok is putting out another call for volunteers to help with downtown revitalization efforts. Another informational meeting is planned for Monday night at 6:00 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center.
Continue readingLandowners Urge Knox to Expand South As Mayor Looks to Revitalize Downtown
Landowners are asking the City of Knox to prepare the way for future growth to the south. Dick Binkley and Jeff Cambe recently told the city council that there’s opportunity for growth along U.S. 35 south of town, but in order for that to happen, the city needs to invest in sewer and water infrastructure.
Continue readingKnox Seeking Downtown Business Owners’ Help in Getting Main Street Designation
The City of Knox is asking downtown business owners for their help in getting a Main Street designation. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last week that while the city wants to pursue the designation, it can’t do it alone.
Continue readingNorth Judson Looking to Partner with Ball State on Downtown Façade Program, Main Street Designation
Downtown North Judson could soon see some improvements. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe told the town council Monday that discussions are underway with Ball State University to implement some of the goals developed in the recent comprehensive planning process.
Continue readingFrancesville’s Uptown Project Awarded $5,000 in COVID-19 Relief
Francesville’s Main Street organization is getting $5,000 to help continue its efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has awarded a total of $200,000 to 40 Indiana Main Street organizations impacted by COVID-19, through its Taking Care of Main Street program.
Continue reading$5,000 Grants Available to Indiana Main Street Communities
Indiana Main Street communities have a chance to get a $5,000 grant. The “Inspire Idea!” competition will provide funding for “inspiring and imaginative downtown revitalization projects,” according to a press release from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Continue readingMaking Rural Communities Attractive for Workers Discussed during Pulaski Economic Summit
Making sure there are enough workers to keep local businesses operating increasingly involves turning to placemaking efforts. The role of placemaking in workforce development was a topic of discussion during the “Powering Rural” panel at last week’s Pulaski County Economic Development Summit.
Continue readingWinamac Residents Share Downtown Revitalization Ideas, During Input Session
“Boring,” “empty,” and “old” were three of the words that frequently came to mind when people were asked to think about Downtown Winamac. National Main Street Center Senior Program Officer and Director of Coordinating Program Services Kathy La Plante shared the results of an online survey the center recently conducted, during a public input session Thursday night.
