By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Volunteers who comprise the Decatur Main Street organization are about to realize what for many has been a dream: hiring a full-time director.
Applications are now being taken for the salaried post and will remain open until Nov. 14.
“It will be great to have a full-time person who will concentrate on the betterment of the downtown,” Decatur Main St. president Max Miller told WZBD.com.
“Currently, a lot of the work is done by volunteers. Having a full-time director will help keep things organize and on track.”
The local non-profit was recently designated as an Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street (A-IAMS) program. The A-AIMS designates are within one year of meeting all Accreditation Standards set forth by Main Street America.
The Accreditation Standards level allows groups with that designation to achieve grants to further and expand their work.
Only 21 Main Street programs in the state are accredited at this time, according to Miller, a local businessman.
However, the designation requires the Decatur organization to hire a full-time, paid director, necessitating a need for $75,000 (salary, office space, etc.), Miller recently told city council.
Council then voted unanimously to contribute $25,000 to the organization, which had $25,000 of its own. Following that, the city’s redevelopment commission designated $25,000 for each of the next three years to help fund the director’s post.
Decatur Main Street, a member of Indiana Main Street, says it promotes and stimulates the downtown economy by orienting people to the downtown district, targeting diverse audiences and consumers, and highlighting different downtown venues.
The local volunteers hold numerous events during the year, including the popular Downtown Decatur Day each summer.
As part of the Callithumpian Festival, a Zombie Pub Crawl was held downtown last weekend.
40 HOURS: The Main Street director’s position will require a 40-hour work week.
The organization said the director will serve as the key advocate for the downtown district, working with business owners, local government, volunteers, and community partners to foster economic growth, preserve historic character, and create a vibrant, welcoming destination for residents and visitors.
City of Decatur officials stress that the director’s post is not a part of city government.
Those interested in the position should send a resume, cover letter and references to Jamie Gephart at
jgephart@cityofdecatur.in.gov by Friday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m.
Responsibilities of the post will include:
• Overseeing all Main Street programs, events, and initiatives
• Promoting business development, historic preservation, and downtown investment
• Coordinating marketing, communications, and social media for downtown
• Managing budgets, grants, and sponsorships
• Recruiting and coordinating volunteers and committees
• Serving as the public face and spokesperson for Decatur Main Street
Qualifications needed include:
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, community development, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience)
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Experience in community development, event planning, or nonprofit management a plus
• Enthusiasm for Decatur’s downtown and a passion for making a difference
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