INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2024) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced 14 organizations have been recognized as Indiana Main Street programs or have moved into a new Indiana Main Street level.

The Indiana Main Street program annually accepts applications for three levels, which include:

• Indiana Accredited Main Street: IAMS programs meet all Accreditation Standards set forth by Main Street America but may lack a full-time paid staff person and do not have an identified transformation strategy.
• Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street: A-IAMS programs are within one year of meeting all Accreditation Standards set forth by Main Street America and lack a full-time paid staff person.
• OCRA's Downtown Affiliate Network: ODAN communities may be organizations that prefer to specialize in event-related activities only, lack the physical or historical capacity required to qualify as a Main Street organization or are working towards building capacity to meet the Main Street America Accreditation Standards.

“Indiana Main Street communities are one of the greatest quality of life assets we have across the state,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am thrilled that these 14 communities are taking the extra step to highlight what makes their downtowns unique.”

The organizations earning new Indiana Main Street designations include:

Indiana Accredited Main Street

• Dillsboro Main Street
• Streets of Monticello Association

Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street

• Boonville NOW
• Sheridan Main Street
• Tipton Main Street

OCRA Downtown Affiliate Network

• Alexandria Main Street, Inc.
• INergize Linton
• Historic Marion Inc.
• Middletown Main Street
• Discover New Carlisle
• New Haven – Historic Broadway Inc.
• Heart of Poseyville
• Possibilities in Paoli
• Historic Shoals River District

A main street organization's performance is evaluated by Indiana Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify organizations that meet rigorous performance standards.

“Congratulations to these 14 communities for elevating their organization’s status in the Main Street network, and for ODAN communities joining the network,” said OCRA Executive Director Duke Bennett. “In 2023, our Indiana Main Street team provided more than $621,000 in value of in-kind services to main street communities, which includes technical assistance visits and trainings, community exchanges throughout the state, and ongoing support. I look forward to seeing these Main Street organizations showcasing their downtowns and what makes them unique.”

The 14 organizations will be provided with a formal certificate, access to Main Street America and Indiana Main Street trainings, networking opportunities with other regional and statewide programs, a resource toolbox unique to their needs, and more.

To learn more about the Indiana Main Street program, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet. To view the full directory of Indiana Main Street communities, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet/community-directory.

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Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who serves as Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ (OCRA) mission is to work with local, state and national partners to provide resources and technical assistance to assist communities in shaping and achieving their vision for community and economic development. For more information, visit ocra.in.gov.

ABOUT INDIANA MAIN STREET

Indiana Main Street encourages community-driven revitalization of downtown areas in Indiana cities and towns. The people who make up the Main Street network are passionate advocates, dedicated volunteers, influential stakeholders, and community organizers who work every day to turn the tide in their communities - catalyzing reinvestment, creating jobs, and fostering pride of place. IMS is housed within the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, an agency of Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch’s family of business.

ABOUT MAIN STREET AMERICA

Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for 40 years. Today, it is a network of more than 1,600 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Since 1980, communities participating in the program have leveraged more than $101.58 billion in new public and private investment, generated 746,897 net new jobs and 168,693 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 325,119 buildings. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.