Indiana Main Street
Indiana Main Street supports local leaders and organizations with downtown revitalization guidance, education, and technical assistance to build sustainable, economically viable districts across Indiana.
Funder: Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
Due Dates: October 2, 2026 (ODAN/IAMS letters of intent and foundational verification) | December 31, 2026 (ODAN/Aspiring-IAMS applications)
Funding Amounts: Free technical assistance for state-recognized Main Street organizations; access to separate grant opportunities
Summary: Indiana Main Street supports community-led downtown revitalization through designation, capacity building, education, and technical assistance.
Key Information: All new and returning communities must enter at the OCRA Downtown Affiliate Network (ODAN) level.
Description
Indiana Main Street (IMS), administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) since 2005, encourages community-driven revitalization of downtown areas in Indiana cities and towns. As Indiana’s coordinating program for Main Street America, it provides information, project development guidance, educational opportunities, and technical assistance to local leaders and organizations. Successful revitalization depends on local commitment, leadership, and follow-through.
The program uses the Main Street Four Point Approach: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality. It supports partnerships and volunteer capacity, downtown marketing, historic building rehabilitation and physical improvements, business retention and attraction, and entrepreneurship. Communities progress through designation levels as their organizational capacity grows, with the goal of creating sustainable, economically viable downtown districts that reflect local identity and priorities.
