Muncie is one of 21 cities to be recognized this year as an Indiana Main Street community.
Being a Main Street community means Muncie will receive economic help for the restoration of historical areas of the city and the opportunity to network with other communities in the program.
The recognition ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Indiana Statehouse. Recognition and awards will be given by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman.
Some representatives of the community will be at the event, including members of Heart of the City, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Minnetrista Cultural Center and Ball State University's Muncie Urban Revival Association.
Indiana Main Street program manager Shae Kmicikewycz said the participation of Muncie in the program will help the city with technical assistance, and possibly in the future, with grants.
"I think it's wonderful for the community," she said. "Although Muncie is quite ahead of the game."
Muncie started to work on the downtown area's restoration about 10 years ago, manager of downtown development Cheryl Crowder said.
"When the city started working on restoration, they did not decide to apply," she said. "They wanted to go faster." Communities interested in signing up for the Indiana Main Street program can apply any time. Cities that sign up at an early stage of restoration receive the most help because the programs work with planning community events and promoting the historical areas.
Crowder said becoming part of the program will help representatives in Muncie network with other communities.
"I think it will give us the resources to continue with our action plan," she said.
After a number of years in the program, the city will have access to some of the grants for restoration.
"After 10 years of development, we need to see in what direction we'll go for the next 10 years," Crowder said.
Indiana Main Street was established by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. It provides economic revitalization and professional assistance to participating communities. According to its Web site, Indiana Main Street works in a four-point approach, helping communities rehabilitate historic buildings, build cooperation among members of the group, promote downtown to potential visitors and investors and strengthen the community's economic base.
Kmicikewycz said participation in the program has increased in the past year. She said last year there were 15 communities that signed up.
"We are seeing more cities that are seeking help to organize their community and move forward," she said.
Muncie signed to be a part of Indiana Main Street in April 2009 to establish networks and cooperate with other communities.
"We are looking forward to brainstorming and devising our plans," Crowder said.
Main Street by the numbers: Community Investment in 2008
- Private dollars invested: $419,715,068.61
- Public dollars invested: $874,223,871.95
- New net jobs: 573
- New net businesses: 125
- Facade rehabilitations: 230
- New construction projects: 356
- New housing units: 379
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