An organization that works to keep downtown vital is reorganizing with the goal of providing more services in coming years.
Discover Connersville Main Street has a new leader. Tracie Bever, a businesswoman and one of the three Fayette County commissioners, is moving the organization toward eligibility for grant funding from the state Main Street program and bringing more services to downtown.
The organization has been active several years as a strictly volunteer group intent on making the downtown area more vital. In order to be able to take advantage of funding from the state Main Street program, it is changing its structure.
Previously, the group focused on Central Avenue. It has expanded its definition of downtown to include an area from 2nd to 9th streets between Eastern and Western avenues, including a small portion of Grand Avenue.
Additionally, Discover Connersville will consider all businesses and nonprofits in that area as members. Dues are not required.
“I do believe our goal is to continue the emphasis on our historical buildings with renewed facades but we will be collaborating with other groups to create positive energy and stimulate growth,” Bever said.
In the past, Discover Connersville has been responsible for developing the Oasis, a green space in the 500 block of Central Avenue, and has organized activities such as cleanups.
In the recent Winterfest, Discover Connersville awarded prizes to window displays.
While those activities will continue, more can be done, Bever said, if the organization can grow to the point of having a paid staff member. Discover Connersville has affiliated with the Economic Development Group of Fayette County in the hope of being able to do that.
Bever is hopeful that Discover Connersville will be able to draw on other agencies to provide helpful programs. She has reached out to the Indiana Small Business Development Center about making its business start-up and counseling services available locally. ISBDC can offer connections to investors and incubation services, such as the pop-up storefront that EDG will open downtown after Jan. 1.
She has reached out to the Ball State Center of Historic Preservation, hoping it can bring its Main Street Design Assistant Project to the city.
The local group will have four committees.
An organization committee will encourage cooperation and building leadership in the local business community.
The promotion committee will work to create a positive image for downtown by promoting it as an exciting place to live, shop and invest.
The design committee will work at improving downtown’s appearance while preserving its historic appearance.
The economic vitality committee will try to stimulate downtown revitalization.
Working with Bever on Discover Connersville’s board are Jay Gaddis, Betty Powell, Carolyn Bunzendahl, Amanda Faulk, Amanda Back, Manda Wolf, Jason Marshall, Sharon McQueen and Brad Colter. Ex-officio board members include Mayor Chad Frank and City Council President Diana Phillips, who also leads the Urban Enterprise Association.
Bever is hopeful more local people will join the board. Terms are three years and board members are not required to live or work in the downtown, only to have its best interests at heart.
“What I am asking for is people to join the vision,” Bever said.
Reorganization projects are underway: collecting information from businesses and nonprofits located in the Main Street district and developing a communications mechanism, and planning toward an initial fundraising activity.
Bever hopes the contact information might result in a map of downtown businesses that can be made available for visitors. Additionally, she is working with the Whitewater Career Center’s graphic arts program to come up with a new logo.
Main Street is a national program with a structure for keeping downtowns thriving. Indiana’s state program is affiliated with the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
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