INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 12, 2025) –  The Office of Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced the finalist communities for the PreservINg Main Street program as North Vernon and Pendleton. 

In partnership with Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Humanities, PreservINg Main Street is designed to build a sustainable historic preservation ethic while building local capacity and a comprehensive downtown revitalization model. 

“The downtown area is really what makes our cities and towns unique,” Lieutenant Governor Beckwith said. “PreservINg Main Street gives our local leaders the support and resources they need to preserve Hoosier history and keep main streets growing and thriving.”

The community selected will be eligible for implementation funds of up to $2 million through OCRA’s Community Development Block Grant program, along with multiple capacity-building opportunities through a partnership with Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks. 

“Congratulations to North Vernon and Pendleton on being named PreservINg Main Street finalist!” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. “Both communities showed a strong commitment to historic preservation and downtown revitalization in their applications. I look forward to learning more about their communities and vision for their downtowns during the site visits.”

The two finalist communities will receive an in-person site visit this September from a selection team made up of OCRA, Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks staff. The community selected for the PreservINg Main Street designation will be announced on Sept. 22. 

Visit in.gov/ocra/preserving-main-street/ to learn more. 

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Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith, 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.