Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Columbia City Connect wins National Main Street status and outlines 2026 events
Summary
Columbia City Connect told the Columbia City Common Council it won National Main Street status and reviewed 2025 highlights — including the 'Windows into History' project and a new youth 'Launchpad' market — and previewed a July 2 'Star, Stripes, and Symphony' celebration.
Columbia City Connect told the Columbia City Common Council on April 14 that it had been awarded National Main Street status and outlined a slate of downtown events and tools for 2026.
"Our role is to activate downtown. We focus on creating experiences, supporting businesses, and giving people more reasons to come downtown," said Nikki Kester, who presented the group's annual update and described 2025 projects such as the grant‑funded "Windows into History" storefront displays and a large public art steamroller event tied to First Fridays.
Kester told the council the organization partnered with Indiana Humanities and Indiana Landmarks on the Windows into History project, which launched with a walking tour and drew regional attention from WOI; she said the group also expanded First Friday features into a standalone event in partnership with the Columbia City Lions Club and introduced the Launchpad youth entrepreneurial market to provide free vendor booths for young entrepreneurs.
The group said Foodie February 2026 drove participation to downtown restaurants — more than 800 receipts were turned in — and that the new Manage My Market tool will streamline First Fridays vendor registration and create interactive maps for visitors.
Kester also previewed a July 2 event, "Star, Stripes, and Symphony," to mark America250 with musical performances and civic readings involving local school groups and community performers.
Columbia City Connect framed the National Main Street designation as recognition that the local downtown program meets national standards for economic development, historic preservation and community engagement, which Kester said should increase visibility and access to funding and partnerships going forward.
After the presentation the council thanked volunteers and accepted questions from members. Staff later noted a related historic walking tour will be held the first Saturday in May, beginning at the courthouse square.
