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Report to Commission for Nov. 15, 2004 Meeting by JLS cornews O'Brien — Main Street Indiana conference_ I very much appreciate the opportunity to attend this conference in Madison. It was my first visit to this great small town. I was amazed that a town of 13,000 has accomplished and retained as much as they have. Besides salivating over the Federal style homes and shop buildings, I attended sessions on Main Street Indiana, HLFI's programs, Grant resources, Agri -tourism, and Heritage Tourism. Grant Programs Main Street Indiana projects often make use of Community Focus Funds (CFF ). This is HUD money for slum and blighted properties or for low to moderate income housing. It is 80 % from HUD with a 20% local match. However, cities that are HUD entitlement cities may not be eligible (ie. South Bend). The City often earmarks HUD monies for local projects, such as residential housing grants and "model block programs." Other grant programs include Save America's Treasures, and Indiana Housing Finance Funds. Historic Landmarks Foundation has a Preservation Education Grant program for walking or driving tour brochures, writing school curriculum, and workshops. They also have a grant program for feasibility studies for historic school buildings. Every so often, HLFI will send Indiana ;teachers information on their "Traveling Trunks for Education," and they often try to combine preservation curriculum with agriculture, science, and history, and will work towards ISTEP standards. There are Transportation Enhancement Grants available for a variety of different project types connected to the highway systems. INDOT regional offices are a great resource for these grants. They would need to be coordinated with the appropriate city or county departments. There is a 20% Residential Rehab Tax Credit for properties in listed National Register districts through DHPA. This is a State Program: Heritage and Agri -tourism There were several sessions regarding Heritage Tourism and Agri -Tourism, and how various entities began their programs in Vermont and Southern Indiana through existing resources: local food products, farmers' markets and commercial kitchens, farm tours, wineries, skilled artisans and craftspeople. Two seats on the Indiana State Tourism Council are now dedicated to Agri -Tourism. Economic studies have noted that heritage tourists stay longer and spend more — the Baby Boom Generation — and people are looking to retire near their.homes. This type of tourism works with other attractions — hiking, biking, performing arts, entertainment, museums, and dining -- but not with golf packages and amusement park attractions. A partnership with preservationists, community revitalization entities, and creative economic initiatives is key to making this work. The experience of a place is the new commodity travelers and retirees are looking for. Judy O'Bannon also received the Historic Preservation Special Recognition Award for her dynamic support of preservation in Indiana. Attending the conference also reminded me that there are places and people who have been able to successfully preserve buildings, either with new uses or with their historic uses. Madison was able to save the 1932 WPA built out -door pool and pool building called Crystal Beach. They have a one dollar entrance fee for swimming at the pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The highschool has been adapted into senior housing, and the downtown 1920s elementary school is still in use as a school. The city is in the process of funding a state-of-the-art addition and interior renovation.