By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“I know your budget time is coming, so I hope you’ll think of us,” Decatur Main Street President Max Miller said to Decatur City Council at its recent meeting.
Miller was referring to the fact that the all-volunteer organization has gained a promotion from its state overseer but will need some financial help to continue its climb.
Decatur Main Street was 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.
That designation would allow the local group to seek grants. Only 21 Main Street programs in the state are accredited at this time.
“We’re working to get this accreditation” Miller told council. “We are working to realign Decatur Main St.,” in part to become independent of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, of which it is now linked.
Local Main Streeters recently met with representatives of the state program and learned what requirements must be made to step up to the next level.
A major requirement, Miller said, is to have a paid director. Its current quasi director is Chamber Executive Director Craig Coshow, whose salary comes from the Chamber organization.
Having a director strictly devoted to the current all-volunteer Main Street group would, Miller explained, boost the local organization’s current budget of around $15,000 to approximately $75,000.
So, Decatur Main Street – which organized and hosted the June 21 Downtown Decatur Day – will be returning to council one day to seek some financial assistance, prompting the “hope you’ll think of us” comment.
In announcing Decatur Main Street as one of 15 such organizations to receive the A-IAMS designation, Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said, “These organizations are doing amazing work to breathe new life into Indiana downtowns, which support our local businesses and unite our communities. 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.”
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