North Vernon chosen for Main Street grant opportunties

North Vernon has been chosen as this year’s PreservINg Main Street community, unlocking up to $2 million in grants to revitalize historic buildings downtown.

The Office of Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs made the announcement today. North Vernon and Pendleton were the finalists for the award, which provides up to $2 million through the Community Development Block Grant program. The program also partners with Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks to provide capacity-building opportunities for the winning city.

The program is designed to build a sustainable historic preservation community ethic, increase local capacity for Main Street programs and serve as a comprehensive downtown revitalization model.

The city must now form a Historic Preservation Commission. North Vernon will also create enhanced design guidelines in conjunction with Indiana Landmarks to tell North Vernon’s story with the help of Indiana Humanities.

Through this grant, North Vernon Main Street and the City of North Vernon will continue the momentum of downtown redevelopment already taking place and gain the energy needed to bring residents and visitors to the Main Street district.

All PreservINg Main Street projects must be completed by December 2027.