The Rising Sun Historic Downtown Program is a non-profit membership organization made up of business owners, public officials and residents with the common goal of revitalizing the Main Street downtown business district.

Established in 1996 by the Rising Sun Redevelopment Commission, the Historic Downtown Program provides administrative services, economic incentives, training, networking and cooperative marketing opportunities to encourage business success.

Rising Sun’s Historic Downtown Program is a member of the National Historic Trust Main Street Center and is an award-winning member of the Indiana Main Street Association. In 1999, the “Arts as Economics” program won the “Business Innovation Award.” In 2000, the Southern Indiana Regional Development Program gave Rising Sun the “Success Story” award. Harps on Main, a Rising Sun business, also has received the “Indiana Main Street Business of the Year” award.

Within the program, micro loans of up to $7,500 at 3.5 percent and revolving loans up to $120,000 at 3.5 percent are available. The Rebuild America Program provides low interest loans for energy efficiency improvements. In addition, the Signage Program reimburses 50% of the cost of signage up to $1,000.

The Rising Sun Historic Downtown Program also is offering professional studio artists a stipend of $100 a month for a year, if they will relocate or remain in Rising Sun and pursue their art. In-residence grants are available to artists involved in painting, drawing, sculpture, installations, print making and other studio-based art. Artists must be 18 or older and the stipends are available for a maximum of 12 months.

Amy Hoffman
Director
Historic Downtown Program
Business Development Center
(812) 438-2750
ahoffman@orvcomm.com