PCCF-Main Street partnership powers lights over Indiana Street

Celebrating the partnership between Main Street Greencastle and the Putnam County Community Foundation that makes lighting over South Indiana Street possible are (from left) Main Street Executive Director Mike Richmond, Main Street Vice President Kim Fidler, Main Street board member Veronica Pejril, Community Foundation Executive Director Neysa Meyer, Main Street board member Nicole Jernagan, Main Street Economic Development Chairman Sue Murray and Main Street Treasurer Gail Smith.

Courtesy photo

For more than five years, the Indiana Street lights have lit the stage and set the mood for a number of downtown events, including First Fridays, Second Saturdays, DePauw alumni reunions and more.

Originally strung during the First Friday season of 2017, Main Street Greencastle has worked hand in hand with the City of Greencastle, the Street Department, DePauw University and local building and business owners to create this unique environment on South Indiana Street.

From the beginning, the Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) has been the primary partner of this project.

The Community Foundation has made two grants to order parts and lights and to help with the maintenance and repair of this downtown Greencastle amenity. Providing more than $44,000 in Rapid Response Grants and hundreds of thousands in Community Grants to Putnam County over this five-year period, the Community Foundation’s partnership with Main Street Greencastle is only a portion of the total impact it has on Greencastle and Putnam County.

“The Putnam County Community Foundation seeks to support all areas of charitable activities by granting funds and building relationships with the nonprofit community,” PCCF Executive Director Neysa Meyer said. “Main Street Greencastle is a great nonprofit partner whose vision for the community aligns well with our goals to make Putnam County a great place to live, work and play for many generations to come.”

Leveraging this unique and vibrant atmosphere has been a goal of Main Street Greencastle and the First Friday program. By creating a distinctive event space the entire community can utilize, Main Street has solidified its position in enhancing the downtown business environment. Used as a primary location for all kinds of events, such as Greencastle PRIDE Block Party, Small Business Saturday, the annual Moore’s Bar Haunted Halloween 5K & Kids 1K and more, and generally creating an inviting atmosphere to enjoy a Starbucks coffee or Scoop’s ice cream, the importance of this addition to the downtown scene is immeasurable in the eyes of Main Street leaders.

“It’s these types of local, non-profit partnerships that Main Street seeks to support and leverage to accomplish our mission, which is to create a unique and thriving environment that residents and visitors can enjoy,” Main Street Executive Director Mike Richmond said. “The Community Foundation has been vital to the success of Main Street these past few years, not only as a provider of grant monies but, more importantly, as an ongoing partner.”

For more information about the Rapid Response Grant Program and the Putnam County Community Foundation, visit its website at PCFoundation.org.

To learn more about the work and progress of Main Street Greencastle, visit MainStreetGC.org.