Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
One North Capitol, Suite 600
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204

For Immediate Release:                                                                      
Contact: Jennifer Stevens
December 5, 2007                                                                              
(317) 232-8832
                                                                                                            jstevens@ocra.IN.gov

Lt. Governor Awards Mainstreet Shelbyville, Inc. $20,000
for Downtown Enhancement Project

Editor’s note:  Audio available at http://www.in.gov/lg/2301.htm .

Today at a Statehouse ceremony, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman awarded $213,600 to fund 13 Indiana downtown enhancement projects.  Mainstreet Shelbyville, Inc. received $20,000 for a project that will support façade rehabilitations.  The Downtown Enhancement Grants are administered by the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), and were created to fund projects that support and promote community-based planning, marketing, and restoration efforts for Indiana Main Street communities.

“Downtown revitalization, restoration, and promotion all contribute to the economic growth of a community,” said Lt. Governor Skillman.  “It is important that we capitalize on the many assets of our downtown areas to encourage prosperity throughout our state.  Governor Daniels and I are proud to support communities that are committed to enhancing their downtowns.”

Mainstreet Shelbyville, Inc. will use the grant to fund the Façade Grant Program, which will provide incentives and design assistance to downtown business and building owners.  Goals of the project include funding up to three historically accurate façade rehabilitation projects and one to two sign and awning improvement projects per year to improve aesthetics and perception of the downtown area.

Indiana Main Street, a division of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, was established to provide economic revitalization and professional assistance to participating communities.  Indiana Main Street encourages the revitalization and restoration of downtown areas in Indiana cities and towns.

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The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs was created by legislation in 2005, making rural Indiana a major focus for the first time. Lt. Governor Becky Skillman was appointed as the first-ever Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. For additional information on OCRA and its programs visit www.in.gov/ocra .

For updates from the Lt. Governor and the agencies she oversees, please sign up at www.in.gov/lgov .

Those pictured with Lt. Governor Skillman:
State Senator Bob Jackman;
Amy Haacker, Director, Mainstreet Shelbyville;
Barbara Rogers, VP, Mainstreet Shelbyville;
Jeff Sponse, President, Mainstreet Shelbyville; and
State Representative Sean Eberhart.

Farmer’s Market registration is now open.  The grand opening of the Farmer’s Market will be June 7th.  The market will be from 8-11:00 am.  Click on the “Forms to Download” link to the left to view the brochure or download the Farmer’s Market registration form. 










Watch for the schedule of Summer Events Downtown to be painted on the side of Jim Nolley’s Barbarshop again.


Check the Strand Theatre webpage (to the left) for the events planned at the Historic Strand Theatre