Annual Report2020-2021

Lawrenceburg Main Street (LMS), Inc. is a nonprofit organization focused on the growth, appeal, and economic vitality of

Downtown Lawrenceburg. As an organization, LMS has been working to help revitalize and continuously improve the

Downtown Lawrenceburg Levee District since our establishment in the late 1990’s. Lawrenceburg Main Street, Inc. is an

accredited State & National Main Street Program. Our goals and initiatives are structured around the Main Street Four-

Point Approach®, a unique preservation based economic development tool that enables communities like Lawrenceburg to

revitalize downtowns and business districts by leveraging local assets. The four points represent four specific and adaptable

areas of concentration, including: Design, Promotion, Economic Vitality, and Organization. 

Mission Statement:

To continuously improve Downtown Lawrenceburg by attracting new and retaining existing business, promoting community

attractions and opportunities, and developing economic tools to help make Lawrenceburg a better place to live, work, play,

and invest. 

Lawrenceburg Main Street Inc., along with the City of Lawrenceburg, Lawrenceburg Partnership Committee, and the

Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission, working with other community entities, are dedicated to the continued growth

and development of both commercial and residential opportunities that will make the city “outstanding” well into the future.

About Us

COVID-19 ResponseGuided by National Main Street, industry leaders and a steadfast commitment to our community, Lawrenceburg Main Street

has worked tirelessly to gather resources, share information, and provide hope for our community.  Moving forward,

economic recovery and growth will necessitate creativity, experimentation, and collective thinking to address both

immediate and unforeseen needs in the future. 

SMALL BUSINESS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY GRANT - In partnership with the City of Lawrenceburg, 78 Grants were

awarded to small business owners rapidly providing $273,000 of much needed funding. 

COMMUNITY HUG CAMPAIGN - Lawrenceburg residents showed their community pride by displaying hand drawn “Hug”

posters in the windows of their homes and businesses.  

MARKETING WEBINAR - In partnership with the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Main Street hosted a webinar

guiding small business owners on ways to adapt their marketing plans to the rapidly changing COVID-19 economic

landscape.  

REOPENING STRATEGIES - #LawrenceburgForward - A reopening media campaign kicking off with a Facebook live stream

event anchored by a concert featuring local favorite, Dreamboat Annie.  The second phase of the promotion includes

sponsored radio ads for all downtown businesses and an aggressive marketing campaign to attract shoppers into our

downtown prior to the weekly Music on the River Concerts.

$365,000$304,000

$273,000$131,388

$137,170$7,528

PUBLIC FUNDS MANAGED

LRC GRANT FUNDS MANAGED

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY GRANT FUNDS MANAGED

PROGRAM AND EVENT EXPENSES

MAIN STREET BY THE NUMBERS

SALARY AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES

WINTER WONDERLAND GRANT FUNDS EARNED

$15,500SPONSORSHIP FUNDS EARNED

Lawrenceburg Main Street strives to create an inviting, inclusive downtown while celebrating our unique

historic character and fostering people-centered public spaces.

GROOM & BLOOM - In partnership with the City of Lawrenceburg Main Street implemented our 4th

annual Groom and Bloom beautification initiative along Walnut and High Streets. With the help of 15

volunteers and the support of McCabe’s Floral and Greenhouse and Pat Krider, we filled our downtown

flower beds with gorgeous blooms. 

ENHANCEMENT GRANTS - 2020 was the third year that LMS administered commercial & residential

improvement grants & and a new home purchase grant sponsored by the Lawrenceburg Redevelopment

Commission. 

8 new Businesses Openings

25 new jobs created 

$195,700 of Private Investment

Lawrenceburg Main Street strives to build a diverse economic base by catalyzing smart, new investment

into the Downtown district and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Lawrenceburg Main Street works with

the City of Lawrenceburg, the Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission, the Dearborn County Chamber of

Commerce, Lawrenceburg Partnership Committee, the Indiana Small Business Development Center, and

local merchants to promote and initiate effective ways to boost the overall profitability of the Main Street

district. Through events, regular marketing and promotions, grant administration and special programs and

opportunities for downtown merchants, Main Street is constantly exploring new and improved strategies to

support this community’s economic health and stability.

MARKETING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - An initiative to assist businesses with

sustaining and growing their customer base. Main Street offers a

Marketing Assistance program to merchants who have a developed

marketing plan that they are ready to execute.

Design

Design By the Numbers$90,775 improved 26 Residential & Commercial Properties

$39,500 built two new homes in downtown Lawrenceburg.

$85,400 in private investment improved the downtown district.

Economic Vitality

Economic VitalityBy the Numbers

LRC INVESTMENT PROGRAM - In addition to design-oriented grants, Lawrenceburg Main

Street also administers New & Existing  Business Action Grants  and Sign & Awning Grants

as a part of the LRC Investment Program.

Lawrenceburg Main Street strives to position the downtown district as the center of the community and a

hub of economic activity.   We work to improve consumer and investor confidence in the district, and

encourage commercial activity and investment. Additionally, LMS coordinates and executes a wide-selection

of community events throughout the year, along with many programs that support small businesses and

local merchants within the downtown district.

ANNUAL WINE WALKS - Merchant-driven wine walks featuring local wineries, chocolate treats & free horse-

drawn carriage rides. Each wine walk attracts between 250-350 visitors to our downtown. This past year,

we were only able to host 1 wine walk due to COVID-19 restrictions.

MUSIC ON THE RIVER - A 8 week, summer music series taking place every Thursday from July-August, the

2020 series attracted safely distanced crowds and took place in the Civic Park. This widely anticipated

event attracts regionally and nationally touring bands representing a wide variety of genres and a classic car

show. This year, the concerts were live streamed weekly on our Facebook page to offer a safe viewing

option.

MOVIES & EXERCISE IN THE PARK - Throughout June, July, August, and September Mainstreet activates

our new Civic Park with a summer movie series and weekly exercise classes. 

ART MONTH - During the month of August, the first annual Art Month was established. Featuring art

displayed in merchant storefronts, an alleyway activation display by the Paper Acorn, and a student-made

sidewalk mural.

VIRTUAL MERCHANT EVENT - Due to COVID-19 restrictions set in place, we hosted a virtual video event

that featured our downtown merchants and their stores. The video also included advertisement for local

restaurants and service businesses.

FARMERS MARKET - Taking place every Saturday in Newtown Park from 9AM to 1PM June-October. The

2020 market included nearly 15 vendors per week with attendance ranging from 50-300 people per week,

including vendors with fresh produce, plants, honey, jams, handmade crafts, soaps and lotions. This year,

Main Street received a grant from the Dearborn County Community Foundation for a free-standing hand

washing station to allow for enhanced programming for the 2019 season, as well as funding for reusable

market bags.

WHISKEY CITY TWILIGHT CHALLENGE (Partner event with the City of Lawrenceburg) - A professional and

amateur bike race along the streets of Downtown Lawrenceburg. Main Street assists the City of

Lawrenceburg in coordinating sponsorships, marketing, special events, activities and vendors for race day,

along with day-of operations.

Promotions

WHISKEY CITY SUMMER FEST (Partner event with the City of Lawrenceburg) - Summerfest is an annual

concert event in downtown Lawrenceburg. The 2nd Annual Summerfest featured country singer David Lee

Murphy along with other local bands. The night was filled with great food, live music and dancing.

HALLOWEEN SIDEWALK SALE AND COSTUME CONTEST - The first annual Halloween costume contest

occurred on Oct 31 this year. The event included a sidewalk sale downtown, with merchants giving candy to

trick or treaters, and a community costume contest at the Civic Park.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY & MERCHANT COOKIE SCAVENGER HUNT - Lawrenceburg Main Street

proudly supports the Shop Small movement on Small Business Saturday each year. In 2020, Main Street

hosted a giveaway event that promoted merchant specials of the day. The Snowman Scavenger Hunt

coincides with Small Business Saturday to increase foot traffic on this special shopping day. In 2020, 17

businesses and nearly 150 people participated in the scavenger hunt and Small Business Saturday event.

HELLO HOLIDAYS - 2020 was our second year of having this merchant promotion designed to promote

shopping local throughout the holiday season, featuring merchant open houses and a holiday pop-up market

at 110 Walnut St. Visitors to the fair were treated to carriage rides, holiday specials, gourmet cotton candy,

and live music.

LAWRENCEBURG ICE RINK - From November through early January, Main Street manages our community

ice rink which attracted nearly 12,850 visitors to our city during the 2020/2021 season.

WINTER WONDERLAND - A hallmark event, Winter Wonderland festivities take place over the course of two

weekends. Celebrations kick-off with the Mayor’s Reception & Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Promotions(continued)

Promotions VitalityBy the Numbers

85 Volunteers Worked 450 Hours

80 Programs and Events with 34,000 Attendees

Marketing InitiativesSHOP DINE PLAY BROCHURES - includes a map and descriptions of restaurants and shops within the

downtown district along with upcoming events coordinated by Lawrenceburg Main Street

DOWNTOWN DOLLARS - monetary gift certificates distributed to select groups to spend at participating shops

and restaurants within the downtown district

FARMER’S MARKET CARDS & MARKET BUCKS - In 2017, Main Street introduced the use of Farmer’s Market

Cards to encourage market shoppers to return each week. After proof of 5 purchases shown on the Farmer’s

Market Cards, loyal shoppers are awarded $5 in Market Bucks. This effort continued in 2020.

MERCHANT BILLBOARD PROGRAM - LMS reserves 1 billboard on US 50 eastbound to promote Main Street

year around events, and 2 billboards on US 50 east & west bound for our subsidized merchant billboard

program. 8 merchants utilized the billboard program in 2020

SHOP AND DINE BROCHURES- Multi-fold brochure with the intention to welcome people to downtown in a

friendly, professional manner. The brochure includes information about where to Shop, Dine, or Refresh in

Lawrenceburg with a map.

E-BLASTS - Main Street utilizes Mail Chimp for monthly newsletter e-blasts, along with special event e-blasts. 

SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION CARDS - A downtown retail support campaign encouraging shoppers to spend

$20 at 3 different retail locations. Once the card was filled out and completed, participants could turn them in

at our office in exchange for $10 in Downtown Dollars.

1,543 E-Blast Subscribers

330,000 Weekly Billboard Impressions

890,000 Annual Radio Impressions

258,000 Annual Print Impressions

452,800 Annual Social Media Impressions

786 Instagram Followers up from 271 in 2019

6,628 Facebook Followers - up from 1,533 from 2019

Marketing By the Numbers

The COVID-19 pandemic will forever define 2020. The ensuing public health crisis, with its far-reaching effects

on individuals, families, small businesses and the economy, has left a permanent mark on all of us. We are

struck by the ways in which the events of 2020 reshaped the work of not just Main Street, but all of

Lawrenceburg’s dedicated community organizations. It was an incredibly difficult year, and yet as a team we

proved ourselves to be more resilient and relevant than ever.

When the pandemic hit the U.S. in full force last March, Main Street alongside a host of community

organizations sprang into action and addressed the dire situation head-on, rallying to support our local

businesses. Despite the struggles, losses, and economic uncertainty we faced, we did not give up in our efforts

to support our community.

We are immensely proud of the individuals, organizations, companies, and small businesses that make up the

Lawrenceburg community. Looking ahead to 2021, we remain optimistic that we have what it takes to join

together to meet the challenges during what we hope will be a year of rebuilding and renewal.

Committees and PartnershipsDESIGN - Mary Helen Crook, Michael Redell, Marty Reynolds, Michelle Cone, Bryan Messmore

ECONOMIC VITALITY - Steve Renihan, Mark Graver, E.G. McLaughlin, Patrice Ligdon, Eric Kranz, Cindy Taylor,

Bryan Messmore

ART COMMITTEE - Adam Gilliam, Marilyn Bower, Maryjo Finnegan, Leann Ambs, Joan Abdon, Chris Campbell,

Megan Schafer, Marianne Withers, Guinevere Emery

ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE - Executive Members: Lori Enright, Matthew McDaniel & Mary Helen Crook

WINTER WONDERLAND COMMITTEE - Barbara Bonney, Ann Stenger, Debbie Smith, Connie Cleary, Sandy

Carley, Cari Kettman, Lisa Weinmann, Shelia Bigelow, Mary Beth Hedrick (Breakfast with Santa)

MUSIC ON THE RIVER - Bill Hinds, Dick Martin, Jim Helms, Chuck Folop, Mike Rauen, Jr., Joe Awad

Organization

Board of DirectorsLori Enright, President, Eagle Country 99.3

Matthew McDaniel, Vice President, Attorney at Law

Jim Kittle, Treasurer, Civista Bank

Linda Goepper, Liberty Tax

Mary Helen Crook, The FRAMERY

Mike Rauen, Jr., The Riverwatch Floating Restaurant

Ex OfficioKelly Mollaun, Mayor, City of Lawrenceburg

Brett Bondurant, Council At Large

StaffExecutive Director, Michelle Cone

Communications Coordinator, Brittany Bleich

Community Program Coordinator, Stevie Gayle Stephens