Heide and Herman Haas of Pittsboro dance on Meridian Street last summer to the sounds of Der Polkatz during The Heart of Lebanon’s annual Augtoberfest. It’s one of many festivals and events that draw visitors downtown. Reporter file photo
The Lebanon Redevelopment Commission increased its annual support of The Heart of Lebanon by $17,000.
The commission allowed the organization $58,000 for 2023 and increased that amount to $75,000 at the request of its executive director, Missy Krulik.
The Heart of Lebanon is the local version of Main Street USA and only one of 15 in Indiana that are nationally accredited, Krulik told the commission.
Krulik has been asked to present a program on Lebanon’s $100,000 Alley Oop alley activation project at the Main Street USA national convention this summer in Birmingham, Alabama. Construction has begun on the project in the alley that runs north from Washington Street across from the Boone County Courthouse.
The city had to raise $50,000 in matching funds to get a grant for the same amount from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.
The fundraising period was running short when Fluor Corporation made a Hail Mary pass by donating $7,000 to ensure the grant money was received.
The Heart of Lebanon worked with a consultant last year and learned that people visiting downtown Lebanon are seeking “experiential consumerism,” Krulik said.
“They want to experience something and linger.” As a result, “Linger Longer: Downtown Lebanon,” is the name for The Heart’s new transformational strategy to develop the downtown into a place that provides entertainment and experiences such as food, classes, festivals or music.
The Heart of Lebanon sponsors a farmers’ market, car cruise-ins, festivals, and events that include Christmas on the Square and Mischief on Meridian that attracted thousands more visitors this year, Krulik said.
The Heart is sponsoring a threeday festival for the April 8 total solar eclipse with 1980s themed events, including roller skating, an ‘80s movie, a Rubik’s Cube demonstration, an ‘80s band, and more.
As part of Linger Longer, The Heart will encourage business owners to align their hours of operation with the hours that visitors are downtown.
But costs keep rising, Krulik said.
“In 2020, I could hire a band for $200,” she told the commission. “Now I can’t touch one person for $200.”
The Heart of Lebanon also invited investors for a tour of available downtown properties and works with building owners to help make properties rentable.
Redevelopment Commission President Corey Kutz is also a member of The Heart of Lebanon’s board of directors and abstained from the vote, which passed unanimously.
Robert Taylor commended Krulik and her team on their role in developing “significant expansion of downtown opportunities.”
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