
WHO WE ARE
Columbia City Connect fosters community and economic development through
projects that design, promote, organize, and fund the effort to energize our downtown.
Columbia City Connect encourages the revitalization and restoration of our downtown.
The program provides technical assistance and education opportunities
to downtown businesses. Columbia City Connect is affiliated with the Indiana Main Street
and the National Main Street Center. Indiana Main Street has an approach
which assists communities in their revitalization efforts and Columbia City Connect
has adapted this approach to help improve our downtown community.
MEET THE BOARD
Niki Keister
Executive Director
Katy Fry
First Friday's Coordinator
Kayla Wigent
President
Don Mockler
Vice President
Kevin Jordan
Treasurer
Teresa White
Secretary
Matt Shipman
Board Member
Nick Brewer
Board Member
Chip Hill
Board Member
Olivia Hinen
Board Member
Kennedy Saggars
Board Member
Derek Crosson
Board Member
THE INDIANA MAIN STREET APPROACH INVOLVES
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Design: Provides tangible improvements to downtown that you can see, touch and feel.
Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems and long-term planning. The look of downtown, its streets, signs, buildings and store interiors are unique to each Indiana community. Main Street's goal is to work with all these elements to create a friendly, attractive place that will draw in visitors and businesses.
Organization: The backbone of the organizational structure (Board) .
Building consensus and cooperation among many groups and individuals involved in the revitalization process. To ensure a self-radiant, board based, long-lasting downtown revitalization program, the entire community must rally around the idea. Cooperation from both the public and the private sector is critical to achieving visible results. In addition, a separate staff and business solely dedicated to downtown revitalization is key to achieving long-term, large-scale results.
Promotion: Fosters downtown and downtown tourism.
Marketing the commercial district's assets to customers, potential investors, businesses, local citizens, and visitors. To keep investors, visitors, and businesses coming downtown, Main Street must reshape the community perspective of downtown as a hub of activity. Successful downtown image campaigns, as well as promotional activities that build upon the community's unique heritage and culture, send a consistent compelling message promoting the downtown area.
Economic Restructuring: Assets existing downtown business and assets with attracting new businesses.
Strengthening the districts existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities and challenges from outlying development. Main Street's ultimate goal is to create downtowns that are economically viable. Researching the regional market and consumer trends give the Main Street organization a realistic picture of what market mix will work for their downtown. Based on their research, Main Street organization can begin stabilizing businesses and recruiting new businesses to fill the gaps.
If you have a passion for community involvement, and you feel
you can be an asset to Columbia City Connect, please contact us today.
We are always looking for new insights and volunteers!

