Lt. Gov. Crouch, OCRA announce 14 communities toreceive new 2023 Indiana Main Street designations

INDIANAPOLIS (March 2, 2023) – Today, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced 14 organizations will be designated as Indiana Main Street programs or will be moved into a new Indiana Main Street program level.

The Indiana Main Street Program annually accepts applications for three levels. The levels include:

• Nationally Accredited Main Street: These organizations meet all of the Main Street America Accreditation Standards.
• Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street: These organizations are within one year of meeting all Indiana Accreditation Standards but could lack a full-time paid staff person.
• OCRA's Downtown Affiliate Network: These organizations may prefer to specialize in event-related activities only, lack the physical and historical capacity required to qualify as a Main Street organization, or are working towards building organizational capacity to meet the Indiana or Main Street America Accreditation Standards.

"The Indiana Main Street program allows communities to celebrate what makes them unique and showcase their downtown districts," said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "I look forward to seeing how each of these 14 communities will utilize this program in the coming months."

Local program's performances are evaluated by Indiana Main Street, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify organizations that meet rigorous performance standards.

"Congratulations to these 14 communities on earning an Indiana Main Street designation or advancing to the next level of the program," said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. "Hoosier Main Street communities gain resources, tools and opportunities from our state program, helping fuel their economic development and enhancing their downtown districts. I am eager to see all they accomplish through their new designations."

The organizations earning new Indiana Main Street designations include:

Nationally Accredited Main Street

• Main Street Brookville
• Historic Downtown Kendallville

Aspiring Indiana Accredited Main Street

• Delphi Main Street
• Dillsboro Main Street
• Streets of Monticello Association

OCRA's Downtown Affiliate Network:

• Restore Old Town Greenwood Inc
• Irvington Development Organization
• GROW Jasonville Inc.
• Mass Ave Cultural Arts District
• Inspire Mishawaka
• One New Harmony
• Discover Oxford
• Association for a Better Rockport
• Discover Downtown Washington

Through their designations, the 14 programs will be provided a formal certificate, access to Main Street America and Indiana Main Street trainings, networking opportunities with other regional and statewide programs, a resource toolbox unique to their needs, and more.

To learn more about the Indiana Main Street program, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet. To view the full directory of Indiana Main Street communities, visit in.gov/ocra/mainstreet/community-directory. 

 Join the Rotary Club of Monticello for BINGO Night.  All proceeds donated to the Monticello Parks playground equipment project.

 If you are wanting to refer a patient to the Monticello Mobile Integrated Health Project Sprout, please download and fill out form.  You may submit the form by scanning/copying and eMailing form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or via fax:  574-583-5163.

• Wednesday January 11th:  Banner Art Contest Projects are turned into City Hall for judging.
• Wednesday, January 18th: The Art Projects are judged in the West Bay at new City Hall
• Wednesday, March 1:  Art and Banner displays go up on Main Street
• March 1-16th:  Art will be on display at the Monticello Library during open hours.
• March 20-31:  Art will be on display at West Bay Area at City Hall, 120 W. Washington St. 
• Tuesday, March 7:  10:00am Awareness Month Story Hour-Monticello-Union Township Public Library- Celebrity Reader
• Thursday, March 9:  5:00pm Wheel Chair Basketball & Social Services Fair at Twin Lakes High School Auxiliary Gym - Door 9 on west side of building from side parking lot
• • 5:00-7:00pm - Social Services and Transition Fair
  • 6:00pm - Lafayette Spinners Wheelchair Basketball Demonstration
  • 6:20pm - City Department Tournament and Annual Guns Vs. Hoses
  • 6:40pm - Monticello Combined Game—Red vs. White
  • 7:00pm - Aktion Club members recognized
  • 7:10pm - Half-time Activities.  Please visit our concession stand and social services booths
  • 7:20pm - City Department Tournament Championship
• Wednesday, March 15:  6:00pm Story Hour at Monticello-Union Township Public Library - Celebrity Reader
• Thursday, March 16: Walk a Mile In My Shoes Day at the White Oak Health Campus - Dementia Experience.  Call White Oaks Health Care to schedule an appointment.
• Wednesday, March 22:  3:30pm Story Hour at Monticello-Union Township Public Library - Celebrity Reader
• Thursday, March 23:  5:30pm Arts & Awards Reception at City Hall, West Bays 120 W Washington Street

Are you An entrepreneur with an idea, a person with a side hustle wishing to make it their full-time work, or even a current small business owner looking to clarify their mission or expand their business?  Introduce yourself and your idea to Matchbox.  Watch the video and apply today! 

More information and apply:  Matchbox Studio

Do you love our downtown flowerpots? Of course, you do! And so do we! Why do we do it? Because we love Monticello and are passionate about making Monticello bloom!  Join the Streets of Monticello Association (S.O.M.A.) Downtown Flowerpot Project and learn how you or your business can sponsor a self-watering flowerpot.  

Review the Flowerpot Ladies Letter and submit a donation!

The following link is from Consumer Reports on saving water (during the past summer's drought in many states).  However, the same information can be applied to saving water in your home.  Click here to review this free/ad-free article.

• North White Building Trades for the renovation that turned an upstairs storage area into living quarters with living room, kitchen, bath, laundry area, and two bedrooms
• Lon & Judy Roudebush of Professional Interiors provided and installed non-slip material on the staircase. This was provided at a reduced cost and they rearranged their installation schedule to make sure the work was done before the station opened.
• Brad & Shari Moore of Ace Hardware provided all the paint and supplies at a substantial discount
• Mark Reynolds of the Monon Connection Museum at the Whistle Stop Restaurant provided Monon Railroad memorabilia to decorate both the living quarters and the meeting room. The upstairs was painted to match the color scheme of the 1950s era Monon Railroad passenger train.
• Jasper County Recovery House for providing paint crews.
• Roger Young, Monon Town Marshal and Monon Township Board for hours of work on cleaning and preparation to turn the space into living quarters.
• Lt. John Huff, Monticello Fire Department for installing new sink and faucet in the kitchen
• Firefighter Paramedics Ryan Hahn and Jake Norwell for cleaning, furnishing and preparation work. 

The City of Monticello awarded the family of Nick Brietic with a certificate of appreciation.  The mission of the Nicholas A Brletic Foundation is to honor and continue Nick's legacy. A beloved, son, brother, and friend, Nick lived life to the fullest and brought joy to the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him.

On December 6, 2022 Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority have chosen the Monticello Next Generation Youth Advocates for the My Community, My Vision (MCMV) program, which connects high school students across Indiana to each other and their neighborhoods, towns, and cities.   Review more information about this initiative here:

Due to illiness, the Lighted Christmas Parade Art Show is cancelled.  It will be rescheduled at a later date.  Thank you for your understanding.

Do you have questions or concerns about our city? Do you want your voice heard? Join Mayor Gross, the City Council Members, and City Department Heads at a Town Hall Meeting.  Meeting Information:

What:  The Town Hall Meeting
When:  Tuesday, November 29th at 7pm
Location:
West Bays of City Hall
120 W Washington St
Monticello, Indiana 47960

The City of Monticello honors all who served.  Wishing you and your families a Happy Veterans Day!

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