Ligonier, IN – Future Ligonier Alliance is now doing business as Main Street Ligonier. At a meeting in September 2023, an advisory board adopted a new mission statement:

Main Street Ligonier is dedicated to revitalizing our historic downtown district, fostering economic and
social vibrancy for residents and visitors through enriching experiences.

Main Street Ligonier is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization applying for accreditation with Indiana Main Street. This volunteer organization is comprised of Ligonier residents and business owners. Advisory Board Members include Daric Weimer, David Cisney, Lori Cunningham, Larry Culp, Ryan Barth, Chris Fought, Ken Cook, Daphne Knox, Grace Caswell, and Lydia Gow (Student Advisor).

According to Indiana Main Street, 79 counties in Indiana have one or more Indiana Main Street communities. In 2022, their efforts help generate 280 new businesses, creating over 500 full-time and 600 part-time jobs for Hoosiers.

Main Street transformation strategies have helped numerous Indiana communities grow, and Ligonier is working to utilize the same methods to revitalize and strengthen its historic downtown. Following the same four-pillar approach of Main Street America, Main Street Ligonier will focus on:

• Organization: involves creating a solid foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district;
  
• Promotion: positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics;
  
• Design: supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart;
  
• Economic Vitality: focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.

On October 10, 2023, members from Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs will visit downtown Ligonier and join members of Main Street Ligonier to visit businesses and walk through the downtown area. After this walk, a meeting, open to the public, will be hosted at the West Noble Primary Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m. Main Street Ligonier invites all local residents and the business community to attend.

Visitors who reside outside of Ligonier are also encouraged to share their thoughts about downtown Ligonier by completing a Community Engagement Survey.

For more information, contact Daric Weimer at daric.weimer@gmail.com.