Indianapolis – The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) has announced that they are now accepting Downtown Enhancement Grant (DEG) applications as part of the Indiana Main Street (IMS) program.
DEG offers IMS designated communities the opportunity to apply for project funding from $5,000 to $10,000 through a competitive application process. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life, spur economic development and advance avenues for increasing private investment and employment in downtown areas. Through the OCRA program, innovative projects that support and promote community-based collaboration and downtown revitalization can be seen in communities throughout the state.
“DEG continues to assist in fostering a culture that welcomes new businesses and quality of place initiatives for our Indiana Main Street communities,” said OCRA Executive Director Bill Konyha.”We look forward to the continued partnerships in building economic prosperity for both current and future residents of our Hoosier communities.”
Interested communities, who meet established eligibility requirements, must submit an application online by March 11, 2016 before 4:00 p.m. EST. In order to access the online instructions, applicants must contact their OCRA community liaison and request the submission link by March 4, 2016. Grant awardees will be announced the week of April 4, 2016 and posted on OCRA’s website.
DEG is a component of the OCRA Indiana Main Street program, which, is founded on a Four Point Approach to downtown development: organization, design, promotion and economic vitality. Across the state, numerous Indiana Main Street communities work on these four main aspects of their downtowns in order to drive restoration and revitalization efforts.
For more information about the Indiana Main Street Program and Downtown Enhancement Grants, contact your regional Community Liaison with questions and visit OCRA’s IMS webpage.
