Our Mission:

To facilitate the continual health and prosperity of the central business district and thus the community at large by leading public/private sector community and economic efforts.

 

Our Core Commitments

 

Advocate for a Shared Vision of Uptown Richmond

• Bring together diverse interests to speak as a collective voice on issues that will shape the future of uptown
• Represent business interests in the planning and development of uptown
• Collaborate to problem solve and identify opportunities for uptown

 Cultivate Economic Vitality for Uptown Richmond

• Promote and position Uptown Richmond  as a preferred destination to live, work and play, through the Uptown Magazine,  website and other marketing initiatives
• Focus on issues to improve uptown corridor  development, access, circulation and parking
• Coordinate with business, investors,  government  and other economic organizations to cultivate economic development uptown

 Foster a Dynamic Civic and Cultural Community Uptown

• Stage signature community events to animate uptown
• Partner with arts and community organizations to establish Uptown Richmond as the regional arts and cultural center
• Serve as a resource and promoter to inform the community  about "what's happening" uptown

 Create an Open Forum for Uptown Richmond Constituents

• Facilitate discussion on timely topics among uptown stakeholders
• Convene committees and special task forces to address issues that  serves as a forum  for members to voice their concerns
• Offer avenues for open dialogue via organization communications vehicles

Our Purpose:

To be a leading action-oriented community organization; to help small business to continue to grow and prosper, to develop and implement community development projects, and to be a resource that benefits both small and large  businesses and community members.

 

Our Uptown Vision:

Uptown Richmond is the symbol of community-wide pride, and an opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to flourish through its holistic environment of retail, entertainment, business, government, housing and industry. Historic

buildings are being renewed and re-purposed along with new structures being built for a bright future. Community, public and private partnering allows a variety of citizens to gain involvement and ownership in Uptown Richmond with

equal opportunities for the diversity of the population.

 

What is Main Street?

Main Street Richmond Wayne County, Inc. (MSRWC) is a private 501(c) 3 not-for-profit community development corporation that has served as the leading advocate for Uptown Richmond for the past twenty years. It is recognized by the National Main Street Center as an accredited Main Street Program; it is one of only seven certified programs in the State of Indiana. The executive director is one of only 200 Certified Main Street Managers in the United States.

 

MSRWC is continually working by building on our inherent assets in creating a healthy viable business district that will enable us to retain our heritage, provide superior personal service, and rekindle entrepreneurship, cooperation, economic health and sense of civic pride.

 

MSRWC is not a department of city, county or federal government. It is funded by private sector contributions, dues, administrative services, programs, grants, foundations, special events and promotions.

 

MSRWC has multiple volunteer committees that meet on a monthly or as needed basis such as;

• Strategic Planning
• Membership Services
• Retail Excellence
• Marketing and Image
• Special Events and Promotion
• First Impressions
• Certified Tech Park
• Personnel and Organization

 

If you would have an interest in serving on a committee please contact Renee Oldham at 765.962.8151 or email her at roldham@uptownrichmond.com

  

What We Do?

• Advocate for Uptown Richmond
• Cultivate
• Foster
• Create

 

Our Role:

• To act as a public-interest developer for key Uptown projects
• Assist in retaining and expanding existing business
• Assist in recruiting new businesses
• Actively encourage redevelopment through adaptive reuse and new project construction
• Offer financial incentives and assistance to encourage development
• Initiate plans and studies to develop strategies for revitalization
• Provide research data to prospective developers and tenants
• Advise the city and county governments on Uptown issues
• Recommend and coordinate needed public improvements uptown
• Monitor maintenance and safety of public and private spaces
• Provide direct on site technical assistance and consulting services
• Serve as an information clearinghouse for uptown activities
• Inform the media and general public of uptown issues and activities
• Direct, support and coordinate Uptown development and marketing activities
• Coordinate community programs with uptown businesses
• Sponsor special events
• Form strategic partnerships
• Offer professional training and workshops

 Based on community input and strategic planning, the Board of Directors has established four primary areas of economic focus;

 

1. Uptown Development

2. Business Development: Entrepreneurship

3. Training & Development: Business Improvement, Professional Development, Leadership, Entrepreneurship

4. Housing Development

 

MSRWC seeks to build partnerships with organizations, businesses and individuals that share these goals. This unique cooperative effort brings and leverages resources with community organizations, businesses, neighborhood residents, schools, churches, as well as local, State and Federal Government.

 

Significant MSRWC accomplishments in the past fifteen years include:

• Development of a Strategic Plan
• Opening of Main Street to vehicular traffic
• Uptown Innovation Center
• Uptown Business Incubator
• Certified Tech Park Designation
• 75M+ Public/Private Investment
• 50 Façade Design rehabs
• Homeownership Counseling

 Why is a healthy Uptown Richmond so important?

• Success attracts success and an energetic and lively Uptown is a magnet for visitors, shoppers and desirable new businesses
• A majority of uptown businesses are locally  independently owned businesses
• The city's tax base increases by taking unoccupied or underutilized spaces and converting them into revenue producers
• Richmond's historic character is preserved through its uptown buildings
• A healthy Uptown provides a central gathering place and destination where people like to meet and bring friends and family
• Recruiting new employees and their families is easier in a desirable community
• A vibrant Uptown makes the entire city a better place to live, work, play and shop and own a business!