Lt. Governor Becky Skillman Welcomes the Heart of the City in Muncie as an Indiana Main Street Participant at Statehouse Ceremony

Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman welcomed the Heart of the City to the Indiana Main Street program at a ceremony on Friday at the Indiana Statehouse. Indiana Main Street is administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). The program provides assistance to participating Indiana cities and towns for economic development efforts in their local downtown and commercial business districts.

"Viable downtowns are crucial to the economic health of our state, and we need strong business districts now more than ever considering the current economic environment," said Lt. Governor Skillman. "The Indiana Main Street program is creating opportunities for revitalization and restoration, as well as encouraging a favorable environment for businesses."

The City of Muncie will join more than 90 other Indiana Main Street communities dedicated to the revitalization of their downtown communities. Indiana Main Street is founded on a community-driven "Four Point Approach" to downtown development: organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring.

The Heart of the City in Muncie has been actively involved in downtown development for the past 10 years, completing projects like facade restorations, street renovations, and new housing projects to increase the downtown population, as well as hosting community events.

The group is currently working on projects like a public park and green space, as well as pursuing avenues to develop new business opportunities. The goals of the group are to continue redevelopment and economic growth, create a unified marketing plan, and use their historic heritage to establish downtown Muncie as an arts and cultural district.

OCRA's Executive Director David Terrell said, "We are honored to have the Heart of the City as part of the Indiana Main Street family. They know and understand the importance of a thriving downtown and have community members willing to assist in the revitalization efforts of their downtown. We are very proud of Muncie and are happy to recognize them today."


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