Downtown Winamac receives state recognition

A vision that started several years ago but didn’t have enough drive until recently has come true for the downtown Winamac area. 
Downtown Winamac was recently awarded the Main Street status by the State of Indiana. The drive behind the recognition came from the Wander Our Winamac! organization.   
Wander Our Winamac!, or WOW!, has about 20 members who have one focus — to make downtown Winamac an inviting place. The group has been meeting for about a year. During that time, a name for the area was created, the area that would be considered for the Main Street status was designated and a master plan was completed. The area that received Main Street status includes Spring Street south to Washington Street, from the Panhandle Pathway east to the Tippecanoe River. 
Town clerk Melanie Berger said Winamac had attempted to become a Main Street community in the past. A master plan was completed but the application wasn’t. Within the last year, the interest to become a Main Street area has peaked and this time the organization completed their first goal.   
The organization has also been talking with the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for a year in order to create a four-point approach to becoming a Main Street. 
Berger said four committees were established to make the Main Street organization more productive. The committees consist of organization/executive, design, promotions and economic restructuring. Each of the committees produced long-term goals.  
The organization is planning a handful of future fundraisers to help with the project. One of the first purchases for the downtown area that organization members would like to see are seasonal banners. Local businesses could sponsor the banners. 
A survey is being sent to town residents. Berger and Zellers would like for residents to be honest when filling out the survey.
The organization would like the surveys to be completed and returned to the town in the next couple of weeks. The surveys will be an insert in the Independent on Saturday, Oct. 8, for in-town residents. 
The organization is filing for a 501(c)(3) status. 
OCRA will host a recognition for Winamac. The date for that is to be announced.