County 74: Sullivan

For many Hoosiers there is nostalgia for their community’s downtown square.  The department store, the soda parlor, and the theatre all bring back memories of a time when the square was a flurry of activity.  In recent years, many of those businesses have closed up leaving the locals to shop elsewhere. Now throughout Indiana, small cities and towns are restoring storefronts and improving pedestrian paths to allure residents back to their downtown square.



Lt. Governor Skillman meets with the Streets of Sullivan
Group to talk about their Main Street initiaves



In Sullivan, they’re working tirelessly to make their downtown the place to be. The Streets of Sullivan group, which is part of the Indiana Main Street Organization, formed two years ago out of a passion to revitalize the square and get patrons coming back downtown. Using Indiana Main Street’s philosophy, the Streets of Sullivan group is organizing, planning, designing, and restructuring their downtown in pursuit of additional economic opportunity.

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs not only oversees the Indiana Main Street program, but it also administers millions of dollars every year to help communities with their capacity building plans. Sullivan has received nearly $1.1 million since 2005 for projects like the youth center, wastewater upgrades, and a downtown revitalization planning grant. These dollars are highly competitive, and having a group like the Streets of Sullivan will only help the community’s ideas become reality.

The passion and dedication I witnessed from the local community will undoubtedly result in much success down the road. I look forward to seeing the community thrive and grow in the months and years to come.