OCRA's Gerry White gives overview of the Indiana Main Street Program

Attendees were able to learn what successful Main Street organizations have in common.

White stated that OCRA has invested nearly $4 million for various infrastructure projects in Pulaski County, and those funds were leveraged for another $5 million dollars in investments. He noted that Indiana Main Street and certification opens even more doors for economic development funds in the way of placemaking, historic preservation, and more. In 2019 alone, Indiana Main Street made $688 million dollars of investments in Indiana Main Street communities. For every community with an Indiana Main Street program, there’s an average of $5.5 million in public and private investment in the downtown, which makes Main Street one of the most successful economic development strategies in America.

White emphasized that a successful Main Street program will be driven by the combination of invested stakeholders and volunteers from both downtown businesses and the broader community who desire an attractive and vibrant economic core. This combination will drive the most successful efforts.

Shae Kmicikewycz, a former director of Indiana Main Street, encouraged those who may be interested in establishing Winamac as a designated Main Street Community to sign up to serve on one of the necessary committees. Main Street committees include:

• Organization, creating a strong foundation for sustainable revitalization effort;
• Promotion which positions the downtown as the center of the community and a hub of economic activity;
• Design which enhances the physical and visual assets that make the district attractive; and
• Economic Vitality which focuses on capital and other economic tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development and creates a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.

Ms. Kmicikewycz, hired by the Community Foundation to guide the Downtown Development effort, has successfully assisted over 100 Indiana communities in forming Main Street programs.

“The evening was a positive step forward with several attendees signing up to assist the implementation of a Winamac Main Street Program,” said Community Foundation Executive Director Wendy Rose. “Shae and Gerry’s extensive knowledge has sparked community interest in making Winamac’s downtown an attractive and economically vibrant center for our community. We welcome and encourage more participation for the success of this effort.”

Downtown Development, along with Broadband, Housing and Recreation, is one of the four focus areas of the Community Foundation’s Aspirations in Action program under the Forward Thinking Leadership initiative. Anyone interested in assisting in the development of a strong Winamac Main Street organization may contact the Community Foundation at 574-946-0906 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..