Office of Community and Rural Affairs Offers Downtown Development Week Grants

Posted on May 29, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) are offering grant opportunities to communities who want to celebrate the second annual Downtown Development Week.

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch noted that while visiting communities during last year’s first-ever Downtown Development Week, she had a chance to see all the work that Hoosiers are putting into their Main Street spaces.

In order to help cover the cost of a planned event or activity, OCRA will be awarding up to five Downtown Development Week promotion grants. The grants will be for up to $1,000 per application and a 50 percent in-kind or cash match will be required.

Applications can be filled out online and must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 7th. Click the following links to view the grant guidelines and application.

Funded projects will be announced on Thursday, June 27th.

Crouch said she encourages all cities and towns to apply for the grants. She added that she hopes all Indiana communities will take part in Downtown Development Week which will run from Monday, October 7th through Saturday, October 12th.

In order to be eligible for the promotion grant, your event or activity must be held during that week.

According to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, Downtown Development Week is an opportunity for communities across the state to host events and activities within their downtown commercial districts. These events help spur economic development and showcase updates that have been made to main street and downtown spaces.

Applicants are encouraged to contact their respective community liaison to discuss eligibility and competitiveness. 

The OCRA Community Liaison for Northwest Indiana is Gerry White and he can be reached at 317-694-8372.