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For Immediate Release:
December 22, 2008
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Contact: Ann McConnell
(317) 232-8832
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Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman welcomes Remington and Wolcott to the Indiana Main
Street (IMS) program. IMS is administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural
Affairs (OCRA). The program provides economic revitalization and professional assistance to
participating Indiana cities and towns. As the traditional heart and hub of government,
commerce, justice and social interaction, the downtown business district portrays a city's overall
image.
Viable downtowns are crucial to the economic health of our state," said Lt. Governor Skillman.
"I'm proud to support Remington and Wolcott. The program is creating opportunities for
revitalization and restoration, as well as encouraging a favorable environment for businesses."
Remington and Wolcott will join more than 70 other Indiana Main Street Communities dedicated
to the revitalization of their downtown areas. The IMS is founded on a Four Point Approach to
downtown development: design, organization, promotion and economic restructuring. Each of
these points represents an aspect of the downtown which is vital in the restoration efforts of the
community.
This is a new type of Main Street partnership not only because it involves two communities, but
also because it involves two counties. This is a first for the IMS program as well as the National
Main Street program. IMS is excited to work with both Remington and Wolcott on the
revitalization of their downtown areas. The hope is that this will be able to serve as a model of
partnering at the local, State, and National level. The vision of the Remington-Wolcott
Community Development Corporation is to raise the quality of life in both Remington and
Wolcott with beautification and revitalization. They have been actively pursuing incentives and
working with both communities to achieve their goals.
Indiana Main Street Program Manager Shae Young stated, "Today we are welcoming 15 new
communities to the Indiana Main Street family. These communities know and understand the
importance of a thriving downtown and they have community members willing to assist in the
revitalization efforts of their downtowns. We are very proud of these new communities and we
are happy to recognize them today."
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs was created by legislation in 2005, making rural Indiana a
major focus for the first time. For additional information on OCRA and its programs visit
www.in.gov/ocra.
For updates from the Lt. Governor and the agencies she oversees, please sign up at
www.in.gov/lgov.
For information on Indiana Main Street, visit
www.in.gov/ocra/2364.