Muncie Receives Main Street Accreditation
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Muncie Downtown Development Partnership has been designated as an accredited National Main Street program. The organization says the designation recognizes its commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
“We are proud to recognize this year’s 889 nationally accredited Main Street programs that have worked tirelessly to advance economic vitality and quality of life in their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Patrice Frey, president of Main Street America. “During an incredibly challenging year, these programs demonstrated the power of the Main Street movement to drive impressive local recovery efforts, champion small businesses, and foster vibrant downtown districts. I am inspired by their hard work and confident that these accredited communities will continue to help their downtowns flourish in the next stages of recovery.”
DWNTWN Muncie says criteria includes fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting programmatic progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.
“This accreditation speaks to the hard work and resilience of DWNTWN businesses and partners,” said Vicki Veach, executive director of MDDP. “As we continue to market all that DWNTWN has to offer to people within the East Central Indiana region and beyond, we hope this honor demonstrates the originality and tenacious spirit of this community.”
The organization says it has led efforts to drive economic development to the area. About 1,100 people live downtown, contributing to a 98% residential occupancy rate. Over the past six years, 74 net new businesses have located in the city’s downtown, creating 348 net new jobs and generating over $200 million in investment.