Main Street is a local non-profit organization that aims to enhance downtown Rensselaer and return it to a central hub of social, cultural and economic life. It is part of Indiana Main Street and, on the national level, the National Historic Trust.

Although Main Street organizations naturally adapt to the specific requirements of their local communities, they all work toward their goals using a proven approach. This "Main Street approach" involves attacking various problems from four angles:

• organization - pulling together the right groups of individuals and local organizations to accomplish Main Street goals
• promotion - establishing clear and effective promotional campaigns to shape the image of downtown
• design - focusing attention on streets. buildings, signs, and other elements that help make downtown an attractive, comfortable place for people to come
• economic restructuring - helping downtowns to develop business and marketing strategies that will allow the area to survive and grow in today's competitive marketplace

In Rensselaer, Main Street members hope to work seemlessly with other important community organizations to help sustain a revitalized downtown. At the same time, we will depend heavily on volunteers to accomplish various goals.