Indianapolis, IN—Monday, Lt. Governor Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded five communities a grant to help celebrate Downtown Development Week.
“Having our communities take the celebrations to the Next Level through these grants really enables them to come up with creative, unique ways to showcase their downtowns,” Crouch said. “I look forward to visiting these towns in October.”
Downtown Development Week, taking place Oct. 7 – 12, 2019, will honor Indiana’s cities and towns’ commitment to preserve and invest in their downtown. Communities across the state will host various events and activities to showcase the uniqueness of their downtowns and city centers.
“Last year’s inaugural Downtown Development Week was warmly welcomed with more than 30 communities across the state hosting events,” said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA. “We are excited that these five awarded communities are working to make their downtowns a major stimulator for economic growth and talent retention.”
Five projects were selected from 16 submitted applications and will receive a grant to help fund the activities listed.
City of Bedford, $1,000
Bedford Revitalization, Inc. has planned a week-long celebration on the Downtown Square to celebrate the heart of Bedford and highlight the completion of the Stellar Communities projects which began in 2014. The events feature city and county government, local merchants and the County Museum that will bring the entire community together.
Town of Edinburgh, $1,000
The Town of Edinburgh will celebrate the week with six days of specials and events that provide a positive impact to the downtown business district, celebrate the local harvest season and bring families together downtown for fun activities unique to Edinburgh.
City of Jeffersonville, $1,000
The Great Downtown Jeffersonville Scavenger Hunt Adventure is a one-day event during Downtown Development Week that Jeffersonville Main Street is organizing to celebrate the ongoing downtown revitalization. During the event, visitors will explore downtown Jeffersonville and learn about the businesses, history and sense of place found in the heart of downtown.
Town of Knightstown $1,000
Knightstown Main Street will hold an all-day event to celebrate the new businesses on the town square. The event will include a children pumpkin carving contest and a local favorite rock band, Dr. Rock and the Rollers, will entertain attendees.
City of Monticello, $550
The Streets of Monticello Association will celebrate the “We Love Our Downtown” event on October 8, 2019, to recognize and celebrate downtown businesses and gathering spaces. The community will enjoy food, fun, and fellowship while supporting the beautiful downtown Monticello.
