OCRA announces Indiana Main Street 101 training sessions

(Indianapolis, IN) – Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs have announced OCRA’s Indiana Main Street team will host eight in-person Main Street 101 training sessions across the state.

The training will take place from May to August in each region of the state, with two of the training sessions held in Indianapolis.

In Southeastern Indiana, a session will take place at 4 pm on Tuesday, June 20 in the Lawrenceburg Public Library’s Sally Stegner Depot Room.

The library is located at 150 Mary Street in  Lawrenceburg.

Attendance at Main Street 101 is required to apply for OCRA’s Downtown Affiliate Network in the 2023-2024 application cycle.

“Main Street 101 will help ensure that Hoosier communities have the resources they need to start their Indiana Main Street journey,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I hope cities large and small from across Indiana will take the initiative to begin improving the quality of life in their communities.”

The training provides in-depth details on the Indiana Main Street program and the Main Street America Four-Point Approach.

During the training, attendees will learn about changes to the Indiana Main Street program as well as application information for prospective communities.

“Communities interested in pursuing downtown revitalization should attend a Main Street 101 and learn about the many benefits the Indiana Main Street program offers,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “The program offers a road map to success, as well as resources and strategies to encourage community and economic development.”

Other training dates and locations around the state include:

  • Northwest: 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 120 W Washington Street, Monticello, IN 47960.
  • Northeast: 4 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, 2545 Silveus Crossing, Warsaw, IN 46582.
  • West Central: 4 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2023, The Tenzer Hub For Entrepreneurship, 19.5 S Indiana Street, Greencastle, IN 46135.
  • East Central: 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Lizabuth Ann’s Kitchen at the Riley Home and Museum, 250 W Main Street, Greenfield, IN 46140.
  • Southwest: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2023, The Indiana Theater, 419 E. Main Street, Washington, IN 47501.
  • Indianapolis: 11 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2023, Indiana Government Center South, 302 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
  • Indianapolis: 11 a.m. Thursday, August 17, 2023, Indiana Government Center South, 302 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

To register for a training session, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet.

Main Street 101 will benefit those looking to participate in the Indiana Main Street program.

Additionally, it will help current Main Street board members, volunteers, and city officials who want to learn more about the principles of Main Street and best practices for a comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization.

For questions on the Main Street 101 training, email [email protected].

For more information on the Indiana Main Street Program, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet.