Taking Care of Main Street Grant Opens For Second Round

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 10:03 AM

By Indiana Office Of Community and Rural Affairs, news release

The goal is to support Indiana Main Street organizations that provide leadership and activities to the public.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today launched the second round of Taking Care of Main Street, a grant program which provides funding for operational support and recovery strategies to Indiana Main Street programs.

"This funding can help bridge the gap for our critical small businesses, which employ many Hoosiers in our workforce,” Crouch said. “Through the Taking Care of Main Street grant program, we are helping Hoosier business owners address the effects of the pandemic into 2021.”

The goal is to support Indiana Main Street organizations that provide leadership and activities to the public, using the Main Street Approach™, with special attention to organizations that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19. In August 2020, 40 Indiana Main Street organizations each received $5,000 through the first round of the program.

“We received positive feedback from our first-round grantees who said this funding helped support downtown businesses and maintain necessary Main Street staff,” said Denny Spinner, Executive Director of OCRA. “By providing a second round of this grant, we hope to assist more organizations as they continue to provide direct technical assistance to all who need the help adjusting business models while following CDC Guidelines.”

Grants between $5,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to organizations based on their Indiana Main Street program level with each level needing to provide respective documentation with their application. All applicants will need to outline how a reduction of funds has impacted the program’s activities, provide an explanation of how the funds will be utilized and supply a current work plan. No match is required and round one grantees are welcome to apply again this round.

Eligible expenses could include salaries, administrative fees, small business support, office space/equipment rental or staff development and training. Larger grants are intended to encourage and support advanced programs looking to implement mid-to-long-term recovery strategies related to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each eligible application will be reviewed on a competitive basis based on the application’s completion and alignment with requirements and documentation.

Applications are now open and only online applications will be accepted. Applications will be accepted until Feb.12, 2021, and awards will be announced on Feb. 25, 2021. For more program information, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet/taking-care-of-main-street.