Downtown development = Main Street


Downtowns are the heart and soul of our communities. They are also an indicator of economic health, partnership between the private and public sector, local quality of life, community pride and history.


A Main Street 101 informational session was offered last spring with Gerry White of OCRA. White stated that  Indiana Main Street and certification opens  doors for economic development funds in the way of placemaking, historic preservation, and more. He emphasized that a successful program is driven by the combination of invested stakeholders and volunteers from both downtown businesses and the broader community who desire an attractive and vibrant economic core. 


Click on the circle to the right for a  video showcasing the power of Main Street's potential.


Interested community members joined together to create a new entity, Main Street Winamac.  Its mission:

Main Street Winamac is a group of passionate community members dedicated to honoring our past by building a vibrant downtown through programs and projects that will enhance the quality of life for our residents, strengthen opportunity for our businesses, and create a memorable experience for those who visit.

Main Street

OCRA's Gerry White said that in 2019 alone, Indiana Main Street made $688 million dollars of investments in Indiana Main Street communities.  For every community with an Indiana Main Street program, there is an average of $5.5 million in public and private investment in the downtown, making Main Street

one of the most successful economic development strategies in America.

actions and updates

Below are updates and opportunities for participation.

Check back often for the latest! 


Also find a summary of actions and events intended to move the Downtown Development Initiative forward.

  • Updates and opportunities

    COMING SOON:  Main Street Winamac Committee Call-out!  Volunteer opportunities will be available in each of four committees:  Organization, Design, Promotion, Economic Vitality.


    Watch this short video to learn about the Four Point Approach used by Indiana Main Street organizations for community transformation.   


    Personnel for Main Street Winamac will be sought to provide coordination and oversight of the MSW program.

  • successes and investments

    Accomplishments in 2022 include:

    • Main Street 101 session with OCRA's Gerry White and 24 community members
    • Launch Committee formed
    • Name:  Main Street Winamac
    • Mission, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation established
    • Core Board of Directors:  Beth McFarland, President; Sheila Jimenez, V.P.; Kelsie Zellers, Treasurer; Renee Calabrese, Secretary; Sara Kroft.
    • Monthly Board meetings
    • CFPC allotted WHIN grant dollars toward Main Street personnel. The investment will facilitate and promote the revitalization of downtown Winamac through a partnership with the Board of Directors and various local stakeholders. 

  • aiming for success

    An organizational logo, recruitment materials, and deep diving into Main Street's Four Point Approach is helping to ground the MSW Board of Directors and provide a solid foundation for the future. 

    Linda Klinck, certified Main Street America Revitalization Professional, is providing some outside expertise. Klinck, a native of Logansport, Indiana, became the first Main Street director for Logan's Landing.