2024 Highlights and Momentum for Auburn Main Street

What a fantastic 2024! We are celebrating being recognized for becoming a Nationally Accredited Main Street organization by meeting all the Indiana Main Street and state reporting requirements. 

Here are some of the highlights of the past year:

HELP Program: Memorial Park Legacy Project

The City of Auburn Hoosiers Enduring Legacy Program, or HELP, is in the third year of the program and is working on the completion of the selected Memorial Park Legacy Project.

The grant project will focus on completing ADA-compliant restrooms and 12-foot-wide walking paths first, and then complete as many additional elements as possible until the estimated $1.9 million available for construction is depleted. The plan for phase two may include a music area, hammocks in the park, an area for food trucks to park, baseball diamonds, fitness nodes, basketball, and pickleball courts.

Preserving Downtown: Facade Grant Program

Our Facade Grant Program aids in preserving our distinct historic designation of our downtown, maintains the buildings, keeping the charm of downtown and throughout the TIF district. In 2024, we worked with 17 buildings, culminating in 3 completed projects, 4 new applications, and discussed building plans with 8 other businesses.

Technical Support Through Ball State

We were selected to participate in the Ball State Technical Assistance Grant. The program provided 4 building facade design renderings for local businesses with respect to the building’s historical past. They also aided in enhancing our facade application and suggested enhanced program guidelines. All 4 owners found this helpful for bids.

Youth Engagement: Junior Auburn Main Street

Our Junior Auburn Main Street program learned about the Main Street 4 Point approach, reviewed community plans, explored various projects around Auburn, and participated in a Virtual AIM leadership workshop that lasted for 4 months. The students decided they wanted to work with our local veterans to bring a Veteran Memorial to our community.

They were selected to participate in the My Community My Vision program that allowed them to raise $50,000 in 50 days for a Match of $50,000. They met the goal. To date, they have raised $182,863.50. There were 98 donations with over 240 patrons that contributed to this project. We are working locally with MSS Engineering and FCI Construction in Partnership with the American Legion Post 97, Cedar Creek Drainage Board, and the City of Auburn on this project. The Dekalb County Veteran Memorial will be located on 9th Street next to Cedar Creek. The memorial is sure to be a place for reflection, gathering, and ceremonies for generations to come.

Shop Local: Auburn Gift Card Program

We have launched a Local Gift Card program for all of Auburn. These cards can be used at any independently owned business in the Auburn area. We hope that many will consider supporting our downtown businesses, but we also want to support all of Auburn’s local businesses. These cards are just for the Auburn area and cannot be used in another town. We want you to buy or gift these cards to Shop Local and Support Local Businesses. Companies can purchase these cards for their employees as an incentive program or for gifting. You can shop, eat, and explore Auburn with these cards.

Promotions and Events

Each year, we promote Auburn and its events on social media, providing flyers and rack cards to businesses and hotels. We also work with DABA to have TV and holiday radio promos.

We held 12 First Friday events, with some of the favorites being the Winter Fest Ice Sculptures, Cinco De Mayo, Culture Fest, Pumpkin Fest, Wine and Chocolate Tour, and Seasons Greetings. In 2025, we are shifting to Second Saturdays (Feb, May, Aug, Oct, and Nov) to build on Saturday activities to attract locals and visitors to our community by building on our local Farmers Market with live music, business collaboration, and Food Trucks.

Join Our Mission

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose efforts are made possible by gifts from individuals and families, small business members, and major sponsors.

Please consider joining Auburn Main Street's mission to collaborate with our community to promote, advance, and preserve a vibrant historic downtown - rich in Art and Culture, and inviting for all.

Please join us in our continued momentum and implementation of our mission in 2024, We are “All in for All”!

Sincerely,
AMS Board of Directors:
Leslie Friedel | McKenna Clifford | Mike Littlejohn | Logan Shank | Mark Burnworth Jr. | Allie Cochran | Carrie Mills | Kate High | Lynnie Schlemmer | Mitch Figert
Executive Director: Ann Finchum
Auburn Main Street