Batesville, Brookville Main Street organizations awarded state grants

(Indianapolis, IN) – Two local Main Street organizations are among 10 across Indiana to receive state grants.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) have announced $149,520 in funding will be divided between the 10 Indiana Main Street organizations through the Taking Care of Main Street program.

The initiative provides organizational support for activities and administrative functions necessary to meet the new accreditation standards for State and Nationally Accredited Indiana Main Street programs.

Batesville Main Street was awarded $5,414 to promote their organization’s brand awareness and in turn, promote downtown businesses and recruit volunteers to help expand community events and engagement.

Main Street Brookville will receive $11,725 to build a robust website to integrate with the Franklin County Web Connectivity Project using new technology required to successfully accomplish the fast-paced project.

“I am thrilled that we are able to support 10 Indiana Main Street organizations in their journey toward state and national accreditations through the Taking Care of Main Street program,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “These funds will be vital to helping improve quality of life in these communities.”

The goal of the grant program is to support Indiana Main Street organizations as they transition to the new accreditation standards implemented by Main Street America.

By providing this financial assistance, Main Street organizations will be able to provide direct assistance for growing economic development initiatives in their community, including business retention and recruitment, organizational growth, transformation strategy implementation, and more.

“Congratulations to the 10 Main Street organizations awarded. Our local Main Streets work hard to enhance their downtowns and fuel community pride, and are more than deserving of this grant,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner.

Visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet/taking-care-of-main-street for more information on the Taking Care of Main Street program.