BROWNSTOWN / EWING MAIN STREET

The Main Street organization began as the Downtown Development Task Group created in 2009 under the Brownstown Community Enhancement Partnership. Following the goals and objectives outlined in the Community Development Plan prepared by Building Better Communities of Ball State University, the group began meeting in July of 2010. The members began planning projects and applying for grants to accomplish their goals.

On July 1, the group approved the name "Brownstown / Ewing Main Street" and began work to obtain funding to purchase and demolish the unsafe portion of the feed mill on courthouse square.

On July 8, BCEP met with Shannon McLeod of Priority Project Resources and grant writer for the Town of Brownstown to discuss procedures for applying for Community Focus Fund grants through the Office of Community and Rural Affairs or Disaster Recovery funds for the Main Street project. McLeod said that the DR2 grant could be requested for the feed mill property and the CFF grant for development of the entire block.

On July 15, Main Street met and reported that a Brownstown/Ewing Main Street Fund had been set up through the Community Foundation of Jackson County. The group decided to work on obtaining a 501C3 designation in the near future. Work continued on obtaining a Community Foundation grant to be used as the philanthropic match for the DR2 and/or CFF grants and to become a member of Indiana Main Street.

On Aug. 3, the group met with Shae Kmicikewycz, program manager for Indiana Main Street to learn the steps for organizing the Main Street program and a walking tour of the downtown areas of Brownstown and Ewing was taken.

On Aug. 5, a slate of officers was approved with Linda McCormick as chair, Ray Bachmann as vice-chair, Janet Peters as secretary and Sandi Kidwell as treasurer. It was decided to meet the first and third Thursday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at Ewing Uniques until the organization was underway, then once a month on the first Thursday. Mission and Vision statements were approved and committee chairs were chosen.

MISSION STATEMENT: To facilitate the preservation, development and improvement of the downtown areas of Brownstown and Ewing.

VISION STATEMENT: To preserve historic buildings and create appealing green spaces in the downtown areas of Brownstown and Ewing.

COMMITTEES:
Promotion: Janet Peters and Linda McCormick
Organization: Dick Rumph and Ray Bachmann
Design: Darlene Butt and Sandi Kidwell
Economic Restructuring: Susie Glasgow and Bob Gillespie

MEETING MINUTES:
July 1, 2010
July 15, 2010
Aug. 3, 2010
Aug. 5, 2010