By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The Decatur Main Street organization has moved into a new level within the Indiana Main Street program.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith has announced 15 organizations that have been recognized as Indiana Main Street programs or have been elevated to a new level.
Among the latter is Decatur Main Street, which has been designated as an Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street (A-IAMS) program.
The A-AIMS 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 new release.
Max Miller, president of the local Main Street organization, said achieving the top level will allow the program to seek grants.
“We’re one step from being accredited,” he told WZBD.com. “We want to work this year to get accredited. That opens you up for grants. So that’s our goal for this year.”
Only 21 Main Street programs in the state are accredited now, “so that’s not very many,” Miller noted.
The Decatur group is made up entirely of volunteers. One big step toward accreditation, however, is to add a full-time, paid director to oversee the program.
Miller said Indiana Main Street officials will meet with the Decatur volunteers in April “for some training and also so they can tell us what they expect from us.”
“These organizations are doing amazing work to breathe new life into Indiana downtowns, which support our local businesses and unite our communities,” Beckwith said in making the announcement. “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.”
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