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Main Street Monthly

A monthly publication from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs

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Start planning for Small Business Saturday which is November 30

Did you know that approximately 67 cents of every dollar spent at a U.S. small business remains in that local community? Supporting local businesses makes a difference – and the role of a Neighborhood Champion is crucial. The Main Street American network has released the Small Business Saturday® Neighborhood Champion application.

As a reminder, all Main Street America members have been pre-qualified to serve as an American Express Neighborhood Champion on a first come, first served basis. Simply complete the brief application here: shopsmall.com/nmsc and select you were referred by the National Main Street Center in the drop-down box.

Small Biz -2

Sign up to be an American Express Neighborhood Champion this year to rally your community, help host an event on Nov. 30 and distribute the fun (and complimentary) Shop Small merchandise.

Applications close on Nov. 7, so be sure to apply now. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive complimentary marketing materials, planning guides, an event kit with Shop Small merchandise and more to support your effort.

Two years of free service

Shop Loyal is offering two years of free service to businesses who sign up before Shop Small Saturday. Interested communities can reach out to [email protected] for more information.


Next Level Trails

Apply for the next round of Next Level Trails funding

Applications for Round Two of the Next Level Trails program are still being accepted. All applications must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. ET on November 1, 2019 to be considered for funding. Paper, incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted. Learn more about the program by clicking here.


Apply for IDEM's recycle grant program

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management announced the availability of grant funding for recycling, organics, and household hazardous waste collection from the Community Recycling Grant Program. Eligible candidates may seek grants ranging from $500 to $50,000. Applications are being accepted through December 20, 2019.

Projects requesting funding should focus on education and promotion of recycling, processing of recyclable materials, waste reduction and organics management. Funding will be announced in February 2020.

Solid waste management districts, counties, municipalities, schools, and nonprofit organizations located in Indiana are eligible to apply for funding from the CRGP. Click here to learn more and apply.


New Launch Façade Improvement Grant Program through National Main Street

Main Street America (MSA) is pleased to announce the Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program, made possible by a $746,900 grant from the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (HSRP) as administered by the National Park Service (NPS), Department of Interior.

The Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program will demonstrate the power of coordinated, small-scale façade improvements on local economies. By reinvigorating the image of 12 downtowns, the program will also aim to attract private investment.

This is the first year of funding for the HRSP. State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, Certified Local Governments, and non-profits were eligible to apply for funding to support a subgrant program to fund multiple preservation projects in their rural jurisdictions.

As one of nine inaugural subgrant recipients, MSA will offer façade improvement grants in 12 rural Main Street communities in four states across the country.

The Main Street Facade Improvement Grant Program will significantly expand the funds available for façade improvements in rural communities, many of which have seen years of disinvestment. In the 12 selected communities, MSA will provide Main Street building and business owners with façade improvement grants of up to $25,000 each.

Applications will open to coordinating programs in January 2020, and states and communities selected to participate will be announced in March 2020.

For more information about the grants and the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/revitalization.

Important Dates

Friday, Nov. 22 − CDBG Round 2 applications due

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Main Street Community Exchange, which will be held Friday, Dec. 6 in the City of Pendleton. Registration information will be available soon!

View our full calendar.


Main Street Best of

Vote for the Best of Indiana until Nov. 3

Each year, the Indiana Office of Tourism Development holds voting for the Best of Indiana.

This year, voters will choose Indiana’s best brewery, hiking trail, and Main Street. Voting runs through Nov. 3. There are 50 breweries, 33 trails and 36 Main Streets up for the prestigious honor.

Head to visitindiana.com/vote to cast your ballot for your favorites. Vote as many times as you like!


Apply for a Destination Development Grant

Applications are being accepted for Indiana Tourism’s Destination Development Grant Program. Grant requests between $50,000 and $250,000 will be considered through this competitive application process. Entities that have previously received a Destination Development Grant may not apply for additional funds for a two-year period from the date of their last award.

The deadline for applications is Dec. 6, 2019 by 4 p.m. ET. Finalists will be announced in February 2020.

Destination Development Grant program timeline, guidelines and application can be found here.


Save the date for the "Main Street Now" Conference in Dallas

Planning to attend the Main Street Now conference? The largest national conference of local leaders working to advance economic opportunity in downtowns and commercial districts takes place May 18 to 20, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. Network with peers from across the country, find solutions to common problems, and discover innovative techniques and tools to help your community continue to thrive. Get inspired by Dallas and surrounding Main Street communities as you learn from their revitalization successes and challenges. Registration opens December 4. Click here to learn more.

Be a part of a national network of Main Streets. Visit mainstreet.org or call 312-619-5611 to join Main Street America.


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