Thursday, May 11, 2023
AUBURN, Ind. – Auburn Main Street was recently recognized as an Affiliate Main Street America for meeting rigorous performance standards.
Each year, Main Street America and its partners recognizes those organizations that have made a commitment to create meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
“We are very proud to acknowledge this year’s 412 Affiliate Main Street America programs, and their steadfast dedication to nurture economically and culturally vibrant downtown districts," said Hannah White, interim president and CEO of Main Street America.
Ann Finchum, executive director of Auburn Main Street, said $2,237,500 in private investment has been made in downtown Auburn in the past year.
“This means that we are effectively working on all four points of economic revitalization for our downtown which focuses on design, promotion, organization, and economi
c vitality,” she said. “We are thrilled to work with our partners to make a difference in the community that we live, work, and play in.”
Auburn Main Street services 152 downtown businesses and engaged 10,400 people through Main Street organization programing in 2022. The organization held 20 events in 2022 and had 28 community volunteers with over 2,225 hours.
“It takes time, effort, and a committed group of people working together to strive for continued improvement in the community that we love,” Finchum said.
Through funds provided by Auburn’s Redevelopment Commission the local Main Street organization provides grant dollars to downtown businesses as part of its façade grant program, which was recently updated.
The organization recently began its Junior Main Street program, meeting at DeKalb High School. The group of students are currently working with the Auburn Parks Department on upgrading the drinking water capabilities in five Auburn community parks. The group of teens are meeting with community partners and seeking grants to make the upgrades possible.
Auburn Main Street organizes the city’s First Friday events each month. This year’s events will include night markets during the warmer months. The next First Friday event will be June 2 in downtown Auburn.
The local Main Street was also instrumental in bringing the Back to the Bricks car tour to downtown Auburn Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is anticipated that over 300 cars will be in downtown Auburn. There will also be live music, food trucks, historic tours, and a Hippie Market.
Auburn Main Street is part of a larger network of Main Street organizations. As an Indiana Main Street accredited organization, it is recognized as one of 24 communities at this level for Indiana Main Street.
In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours.
Collectively, two million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contributes their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.