Pendleton named finalist for Preserving Main Street grant; town assembling 'dream team'

Pendleton officials told the council on Aug. 14 that the town is among the top two finalists for the Preserving Main Street grant administered through Indiana Landmarks and OCRA. If awarded, the grant could provide up to $2 million to help downtown building owners restore and rehabilitate exterior facades.

Denise, the town’s executive director, said the town will present on Sept. 15 and is preparing a three-and-a-half-hour interview and presentation for the grant review panel. She said the grant focuses on exterior work — windows, brick, doorways and other façade elements — and carries a minimum 10 percent local match requirement. Under the program, applicants could apply for funds of varying sizes up to the program cap; the town is assembling a team that may include an assigned architect and a certified grant administrator to support building owners and manage design and fundraising.

Denise described how the proposal would benefit Main Street: a portion of funds would support preservation projects, while another earmarked portion would seed an operational fund for Main Street Pendleton — with suggested allocations discussed in the presentation (for example, a $200,000 target for Main Street support and a $100,000 endowment-style fund referenced as part of preliminary planning). She asked councilors and building owners who are willing to participate to join the town’s “dream team” for the Sept. 15 presentation and noted the town will follow up with building owners to confirm participation and match capacity.

Why it matters: A successful award would enable downtown building rehabilitation without fully transferring the cost to property owners, support downtown sustainability and include educational workshops for business owners delivered by Indiana Landmarks. The council will be asked to provide administrative support and may consider follow-up matters related to match funding and project prioritization if the town advances past the interview phase.

Next step: Town staff said they will convene the dream team and prepare presentation materials for the Sept. 15 interview; the council will be updated after the presentation.