Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – Discover Downtown Washington, the city’s Main Street organization, has been officially recognized as an Indiana Accredited Main Street organization, a move up from its previous status as an Aspiring Indiana Main Street group.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Thursday that 12 organizations have joined the Indiana Main Street program or have moved to a new Indiana Main Street level.
The advancement follows a three-year effort to earn the next level accreditation. In February, an OCRA Indiana Main Street accreditation team visited Washington to assess the program.
The accreditation opens the door to additional grant opportunities, training resources and statewide networking aimed at strengthening downtown Washington.
The Indiana Main Street program annually accepts applications for four levels, which include:
- Nationally Accredited Main Street: NAMS programs must meet all Accreditation Standards set forth by Main Street American and have worked their way up from the Indiana Accredited Main Street level.
- Indiana Accredited Main Street: IAMS programs meet all Accreditation Standards set forth by Main Street America, but may lack a full-time paid staff person and do not have an identified transformation strategy.
- Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street: A-IAMS 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.
- 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 towards building capacity to meet the Main Street America Accreditation Standards.
“It is an honor to see these Main Street groups recognize the impact and benefits of working with the Office of Community and Rural Affairs,” Beckwith said. “Rising up the ranks or becoming a part of the Main Street program is a tremendous benefit for these communities. I’m excited to see what the future holds for these organizations.”
The organizations earning new Indiana Main Street designations include:
Nationally Accredited Main Street
- Columbia City Connect
Indiana Accredited Main Street
- Boonville Now
- Decatur Main Street
- Discover Downtown Washington
Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street
- Discover Oxford Indiana
- Downtown Danville Partnership
- Main Street Fairmount
- Main Street Plainfield
OCRA Downtown Affiliate Network
- Destination Georgetown
- Edinburgh Main Street
- Gary Broadway Main Street Communities
- LaFontaine Community Alliance
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.
“Leveling up or joining the Main Street program is a huge advantage for these organizations and communities,” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. “Congratulations to all 12 of these Main Street groups. I can’t wait to see what our new organizations accomplish and how the ones leveling up make an even greater impact.”
The 12 organizations will be provided with a formal certificate, access to Main Street America and Indiana Main Street trainings, networking opportunities with other regional and statewide programs, a resource toolbox unique to their needs, and more.To learn more about the Indiana Main Street program, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet. To view the full directory of Indiana Main Street communities, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet/community-directory.