Five Indiana communities receive OCRA grants

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded five communities grant monies to help celebrate the first-ever Downtown Development Week.  

The week of Oct. 8 – 12, 2018 will be an opportunity for communities across the state to host events to showcase their downtowns and encourage camaraderie through events and activities. Downtown Development Week will honor Indiana’s cities and towns’ commitment to preserve and invest in their downtown.

“We are excited to see so many communities take Downtown Development week, make it their own and plan some extraordinary events for their neighbors," said Jodi Golden, Executive Director of OCRA.

Five projects were selected from 24 submitted applications and will receive a $1,000 grant. The projects are listed below, and for more information, visit www.in.gov/ocra/2896.htm

City of Decatur
To celebrate Downtown Development Week, the city will highlighted recent investments in their downtown that includes: renovations, new streetscapes, upgraded facades, new street lights and a new festival plaza.

City of Fairmount
Main Street Fairmount will host a three-day event celebrating the completion of the first phase of their Main Street Revitalization Program grant. The event will recognize and celebrate the partnership between the Town of Fairmount and Main Street Fairmount along with celebrating businesses, service and veterans organizations and individuals who have supported downtown Fairmount.

City of Greenfield, and the City of Fortville
Greenfield Main Street Inc. and Fortville Action Inc. are partnering to host scavenger hunts in each community throughout the week. Both scavenger hunts will incorporate each community’s unique history and cultural features. 

City of Kendallville
Experience the Heart of Kendallville will be hosting various activities during Downtown Development Week to include storefront window decorating contest and a downtown celebration.

City of Madison
The Madison Main Street Program will have a week of action-packed events for community members and visitors to learn and appreciate downtown Madison’s history and architecture.  Events include a window display contest, special menus at downtown restaurants, a pumpkin carving contest as well, as a Micro-Mini-Marathon, which encourages people to dress in costume.