Decatur council approves $25,000 for Main Street and $25,000 for facade program

Decatur City Council voted to renew two downtown support allocations, approving $25,000 for Decatur Main Street and $25,000 for the citywide facade program for 2027.

"On behalf of Decatur Main Street, I am asking the city to continue with support and include Main Street in the 2027 budget," said Taylor Brown, identified in the meeting as executive director of Decatur Main Street. Brown told council that city funding helps strengthen downtown businesses, improves the appearance of the community, and preserves the organization's Indiana Main Street accreditation, which in turn provides access to training, technical assistance and grant opportunities.

Council members asked for the dollar amounts. Staff confirmed the recommendation: $25,000 for Main Street and $25,000 for the facade program. A council member moved to keep the same funding levels as the previous year; another council member seconded the motion and the council approved it by voice vote.

Councilors asked staff to consider streamlining the facade application process to make it less burdensome for applicants. Taylor Brown said Main Street would review application procedures and work with staff to ease the process.

The funding is intended to support downtown business development and to maintain Decatur Main Street’s accreditation; the council did not attach additional conditions in the recorded discussion. Next steps are for the amounts to be included in the city’s 2027 budget process.