Main Street Fundamentals
- The Main Street Approach is centered around Transformation Strategies. A Transformation Strategy articulates a focused, deliberate path to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown or commercial district’s economy.
- A program’s work on Transformation Strategies should be organized around the Four Points: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
- A revitalization program’s work – and its Transformation Strategies – need to be informed by a solid understanding of local and regional market data, and sustained and inclusive community engagement.
Our Vision
Dillsboro will grow and develop a vibrant downtown through the support of volunteers, local businesses, partnering organizations and sponsors who share a desire to see a strong downtown that benefits the residents and visitors of our community.
Dillsboro Main Street is a state-designated Indiana Main Street Organization.
The program helps businesses develop and provides support for the implementation of their own strategies to stimulate long-term economic growth and pride in the heart of downtown Dillsboro.
Some History...
2014
First Community Entrepreneurial Initiative Forum
2014
2015
Application Indiana Main Street
2016
Dillsboro Community Partnership (dba Dillsboro Mainstreet)
2016
2016
Bicentennial Torch Relay & Parade
2017
Downtown Revitalization Plan
2017
2018
Crowd Funding Grant
2018
CARE Team established
2018
2019
Discussions with INDOT for Hwy 50 Improvements Begin
2020
Gateway Corridor Master Plan
2020
2020
Evening of Thanks Established
2022
Dillsboro Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan
2022
2023
Approved as an Aspiring Main Street by the State of Indiana
Looking back….we have accomplished a lot…. With $5000 in seed money since 2015.
- Organized Farmers Market in 2015
- Launched Dillsboro Arts/Friendship Gallery - 2017 to Date
- Created CARE Team – 2018 to Date
- Hosted Bicentennial Torch Relay 2016 & Parade (4 years)
- Created Heritage Festival 2016 to Date
- Launched Veterans Walk via Heritage Festival 2017 to date
- Sponsored Dillsboro in Bloom (4 years)
- Sponsored Our Hometown Christmas - 2016 to Date
- Hosted ribbon-cuttings for new businesses
- Fundedindoor/outdoor sound system at Heritage Pointe
- QUIP Grant for Golden Ratio Project
- Downtown Development Celebration 2019
- Published DES Bicentennial Poetry book
- Received OCRA Grant for IMPACT Main Street/Market Analysis 2019
- Collaborated with Dillsboro Library and Indiana Humanities to host the Smithsonian Exhibit “Crossroads: Change In Rural America” - 2019
- Purchased hand-washing station for public events
- Moving to the Future:Streamlining Business After Covid 19- Small Business Assistance Program
- Granted the OCRA award for Promise Indiana
- Provided PPE for businesses when not available yet.
- Engaged Lowes Community Heroes to build The Porch
- Launcheda GriefShare program with CARE Team
- Purchased indoor/outdoor stackable chairs to be used at Friendship Gallery & events at The Porch
- Created Entrepreneurs and Small Business Assistance Committee& funded Façade grant program.Invested $7250. ROI $16,350.
- Planning Grant for Downtown Revitalization Plan
- Created Social Media pages for Farmers Market, Dillsboro Main Street, CARE Team, Dillsboro Community Park
- Collaborated with Dillsboro Family Market to organize USDA/Prairie Farms Free Milk Giveaway (2 times in 2021)
- Honored 1000’s of volunteer hours at Evening of Thanks (3 years)
- Hosted Y 2 Luv Dillsboro Showcase 2021
- Hosted Shop Small (3 years)
- Funded Economic Vitality Incentive for new business. 2021
- Started Munch-A-Lunch program at Community Park to “feed the body, mind and spirit”of our school children, daily, through the summer. 2021
- Most recently awarded the 2022 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant awarded by the Indiana Department of Health, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity.
We could do so much more…..
Dillsboro Main Street Working Groups
- Design
- Economic Vitality
- Organization
- Promotion
- Entrepreneurs & Small Business Assistance
- Downtown Revitalization
- Care Team
- Lunch-a-Munch
- Facade
- Historical Society*
- Dillsboro Arts*
* Now their own 501c(3)
Events Created Through Main Street
- Y2 Love Dillsboro
- Dillsboro in Bloom
- Heritage Festival
- Car Show
- Veterans Walk
- Evening of Thanks
- Hometown Christmas
Transformation Strategies – generated through meaningful community engagement and informed by an analysis of the district’s market position — help to guide a revitalization program’s work. An effective Transformation Strategy serves a particular customer segment, responds to an underserved market demand, or creates a differentiated destination.
Some "ready-to-use" strategies — called Catalyst Strategies — fall into two broad categories: those that are focused on a specific customer segment and those that are focused on an industry, product, or service segment.
Examples include:
• Workers and Residents
• Elder Friendly and Aging-in-Place
• Family-Friendly
• Agriculture Center
• Arts (performing and visual)
• College Town
• Convenience Goods and Services
• Entertainment and Nightlife
• Knowledge Economy
What Are the Four Points?
Transformation Strategies are implemented through comprehensive work in four broad areas, known as the Four Points.
ECONOMIC VITALITY focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.
DESIGN supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart.
PROMOTION positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.
ORGANIZATION involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district.