Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS — Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Sept. 10 that Brookville and Kendallville are the pilot communities for the PreservINg Main Street grant program.
Jasper had been one of five finalist communities around the state in the running for implementation funds of up to $2 million per community. As finalists for PreservINg Main Street, Jasper, Attica and Cambridge City will be receiving customized training and planning assistance from OCRA and Main Street America to support their organizations.
The grant will provide Brookville and Kendallville with $2 million each through Community Development Block Grants to revitalize historic buildings in the downtown district. “I am eager to see what these two communities are able to achieve with the PreservINg Main Street grant,” Crouch said. “Main Streets are vital pieces of Indiana’s rich history and our rural communities’ future success. This program will reinstate pride in our local downtowns as unique Hoosier stories continue to be shared and celebrated.”
PreservINg Main Street is a joint effort between OCRA, Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks. The multifaceted community development program is designed to build a sustainable historic preservation community ethic, increase local capacity for Main Street programs and serve as a comprehensive downtown revitalization model.
“Brookville and Kendallville have such a strong community presence, which was apparent during our site visits,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “These communities have already put in a great amount of work for this grant and I cannot wait to see all the developments they make in their towns with the help of this grant.”
Indiana Humanities President and CEO Keira Amstutz extended congratulations to the winning communities. “As part of the grant, we’ll provide each of them with funding and support so they can implement public programs that celebrate their downtown district’s history and heritage. We look forward to helping them tell their important stories,” she said.
Marsh Davis, president of Indiana Landmarks, said the program promises to drive truly transformational change in the targeted communities. “Vibrant downtown districts that embrace historic preservation can fuel economic vitality well beyond their physical borders,” he said.