By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“You don’t have to agree with every project we undertake, but I hope you’ll judge us by the results we produce and the long-term impact we’re working to create for Decatur,” Max Miller, president of Decatur Main Street, recently wrote in responding to someone questioning the need for the local organization.
“It’s also important that taxpayers ask questions about how public dollars are spent. We welcome those conversations. Our board meetings are open to the public, our annual reports are available, and we’re always happy to explain what we’re working on and how we measure success,” Miller said.
Founded in 2014, Decatur Main Street continues to grow and become more active each year as it promotes the downtown area.
This year’s edition of the annual Downtown Decatur Days was a gigantic success. For the first time, it was spread over two days. It had 30 more vendors and entries for the car show went from 100 to 130 – 65% of them from out of town.
Miller points to “downtown improvement projects, beautification efforts, business recruitment, historic preservation, marketing, volunteer coordination, and grant opportunities that help attract additional investment into our community.
“Even if someone rarely shops downtown, a healthy downtown contributes to property values, community pride, tourism, local jobs, and tax revenue that benefits the entire city,” he noted. “ That’s the philosophy behind the Main Street program, which is used successfully in hundreds of communities across Indiana and the nation.”
The City of Decatur and its Redevelopment Commission each contribute funding to Decatur Main Street. The investment is used to operate the organization, employ a full-time executive director, and “carry out projects and events that are intended to strengthen downtown and the community as a whole,” Miller explained..
A NONPROFIT: Decatur Main Street is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that also relies on sponsorships, fundraising, and volunteers, not just public funding.
The organization has a $75,000 budget, $25,000 of which was recently provided by the city.
The city also provided $25,000 for the facade program, administered by Decatur Main Street’s design committee (with the city having final say in all facade matters.)
A few months ago, the organization added its first paid member, Executive Director Taylor Braun.
“With a full-time executive director, Main Street is better positioned to plan projects, pursue grants, support businesses and carry out long-term downtown development,” according to Miller.
The local group is now accredited by the state Main Street program, one of less than 25 organizations in Indiana to have earned that distinction.
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