Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
Two communities in the Radius Indiana region were announced today as being recognized as Indiana Main Street programs or advancing to a new level of Indiana Main Street.
Discover Downtown Washington is now an Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street. Aspiring programs are within one year of meeting all Accreditation Standards set forth by Main Street America and may lack a full-time paid staff person, according to a news release from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith.
Framing Ferdinand joined OCRA’s Downtown Affiliate Network. ODAN communities may prefer to specialize in event-related activities only, lack the physical or historical capacity required to qualify as a Main Street organization, or are working toward building capacity to meet the Main Street America Accreditation Standards.
Discover Downtown Washington
Cindy Barber, president of Discover Downtown Washington, said reaching the new level is the result of an engaged and motivated board plus committed volunteers who have worked on DDW projects and events.
“May this recognition inspire us to build on what we have accomplished and further motivate us to do the work necessary to become an Indiana Accredited Main Street in 2026,” she said. “From the adoption of the Downtown Revitalization Plan in January, being awarded the Dillon Tourism Award from the Daviess County Chamber of Commerce in February and now being recognized by OCRA as being within one year of meeting all Accreditation Standards, 2025 has been an extraordinary year with so much more yet to come!”
Discover Downtown Washington became an ODAN in 2023 and has organized the new downtown Farmers Market and other events to draw people downtown. The group recently worked with the city of Washington to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area downtown.
Framing Ferdinand
Framing Ferdinand had its first community meeting to gauge interest in the Main Street program in January 2024.
Expecting maybe 30 attendees, Framing Ferdinand President Lauren Mundy said 75 people showed up.
“We were blown away to see that many come to a lunch meeting,” she said. “We were really encouraged by that meeting.”
Harnessing the momentum, the group formed a board and began crafting a mission and vision for downtown revitalization.
Framing Ferdinand has hosted events, including a popular pumpkin craft for kids and families during the Ferdinand Merchants Walktoberfest, and is ready to tackle projects that will attract more businesses to the community.
Mundy said Ferdinand is already a great small town and ideal for living, working and raising a family and she sees Framing Ferdinand as building on that.
“We are all thrilled and excited for what this means,” Mundy said. “By reaching the status of ODAN, we have access to Main Street resources to enact some of our projects and to ask questions along the way,” she said. “It’s nice to know our hard work paid off.”
A total of 15 organizations were recognized as Indiana Main Street programs or advancing to a new level.
The Indiana Main Street program annually accepts applications for three levels, which include:
- Indiana Accredited Main Street
- Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street
- OCRA’s Downtown Affiliate Network
“These organizations are doing amazing work to breathe new life into Indiana downtowns, which support our local businesses and unite our communities,” Beckwith said. “Main Street has a way of bringing everyone together. It’s where you really get to know your neighbors and come together for local events. It’s the heartbeat of the community. Congratulations to all 15 of these Hoosier communities – your hard work is paying off, and I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!”
The organizations earning new Indiana Main Street designations include:
Indiana Accredited Main Street
- Sheridan Main Street, Inc.
- Tipton Main Street
- Delphi Main Street
Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street
- Main Street Warsaw
- Discover Downtown Washington
- Association For A Better Rockport
- Decatur Indiana Main Street, Inc.
OCRA Downtown Affiliate Network
- Ellettsville Main Street
- Jacobsville Neighborhood (Evansville)
- Framing Ferdinand
- Fountain City Forward
- Huntington Main Street
- Lagro Canal Foundation
- Rising Sun Main Street
- Main Street Zionsville
A main street organization’s performance is evaluated by Indiana Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify organizations that meet rigorous performance standards.
“As we celebrate 40 years of Indiana Main Street, we are excited to welcome eight new communities into the program and see seven organizations level up,” said OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn. “The Indiana Main Street program continues to grow and help communities prioritize downtown revitalization, transform their main street corridors and fuel local engagement. Congratulations to our 15 newly designated main streets organizations!”
The 15 organizations will receive a formal certificate, access to Main Street America and Indiana Main Street training, networking opportunities with other regional and statewide programs and a resource toolbox unique to their needs.