The Office of Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced the PreservINg Main Street program is open for applications.
In partnership with Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Humanities, the program is designed to create a sustainable historic preservation model, while building local capacity and a comprehensive downtown revitalization plan. Additionally, the program provides funding for the preservation of downtown Main Street buildings.
"Indiana's historic Main Streets consist of more than just buildings," Lieutenant Governor Beckwith said. "They are often a symbol of community pride. Programs like PreservINg Main Street are focused on protecting the legacies of our small towns while also creating opportunities for growth and prosperity."
Non-entitlement communities with an established Nationally Accredited or Indiana Accredited Main Street organization are encouraged to apply. However, the community must have a downtown district on the National Register of Historic Places to be eligible.
"This program is a great opportunity for our Main Street organizations to take advantage of Community Development Block Grant funds in order to restore and preserve their downtown districts," OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said. "Preservation is crucial in our rural communities as it encourages job creation, community revitalization and an improved quality of life. I encourage our Main Street communities to apply and invest in their historic downtown corridors."
Two finalists will be selected based on the submitted application, community support and 2024 Main Street annual report data. Site visits will be scheduled for each finalist, which includes a presentation outline of their partnerships and a high-level vision for downtown development.
The awarded community will be eligible for implementation funds of up to $2 million through OCRA's Community Development Block Grant program. There will also be multiple capacity-building opportunities through a partnership with Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks.
Glynn said continuing to partner with Indiana Landmarks is imperative for this program. Indiana Landmarks will:
Offer workshops for building- and business-owners to encourage creativity
Conduct a conditions assessment or recommend design improvements to building-owners
Provide educational opportunities on preservation
Provide technical assistance to the community foundation on developing a long-term downtown endowment fund
Provide staffing for a historic preservation commission through a local ordinance
Indiana Humanities will also host a workshop for the awarded Main Street organization to discuss ideas about humanities-based activities focused on historic preservation.
Applications are due by 12 p.m. ET on July 17, 2025, through eGMS.
Additional information, including a program timeline and the program application process, are available at in.gov/ocra/preserving-main-street/.
