Tipton Main Street Association Earns State-Level Accreditation

A Milestone Moment in Downtown Revitalization

In early 2025, the Tipton Main Street Association (TMSA) reached a major milestone in its mission to foster a vibrant and thriving downtown—receiving the Indiana Accredited Main Street (IAMS) designation from Indiana Main Street and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

This prestigious recognition highlights TMSA’s achievements in economic development, historic preservation, and community engagement since its founding in 2017. It marks Tipton as a community deeply committed to revitalization, progress, and place-based pride.

“TMSA has been, and always will be in my opinion, a core component to downtown revitalization & meaningful change,” said Nathan Kring, Tipton City Council President. “TMSA should be proud of this accomplishment, and I look forward to continued collaboration with such a vital organization full of great volunteers.”

What Accreditation Means for Tipton

This designation gives TMSA access to additional funding opportunities, technical assistance, and strategic resources to expand its impact in downtown Tipton. The accreditation process is rigorous—evaluated by Indiana Main Street in collaboration with Main Street America—and only awarded to organizations demonstrating strong performance, planning, and community support.

“This is a significant milestone for TMSA and the Tipton community,” said Rob Cochrane III, TMSA President. “It reflects the dedication of our volunteers and the belief of stakeholders who support our mission. We look forward to implementing transformative projects that make Downtown Tipton a better place to live, work, and thrive.”

A Testament to Teamwork

The announcement has been celebrated throughout the community, earning front-page recognition in the Hamilton County Reporter and praise from community leaders.

“These volunteers committed countless hours of their time in pursuit of this accreditation,” added Lindsey Ogden, TMSA Vice President. “It opens the door to new opportunities that will continue to improve and strengthen our downtown and the community we love.”

What’s Next

With this accreditation, TMSA plans to:

Strengthen partnerships with local organizations and businesses
Launch additional placemaking projects and infrastructure improvements
Expand public art and cultural programming
Continue engaging the community through signature events and volunteer opportunities

As Fred Glynn, Executive Director of OCRA, stated:

“The Indiana Main Street program continues to grow and help communities transform their main street corridors. Congratulations to our 15 newly designated main street organizations!”

Keep the Momentum Going

TMSA invites all community members to celebrate this achievement by continuing to support the small businesses, events, and initiatives that make Tipton a place we’re all proud to call home.

📬 Want to get involved? Visit our Get Involved page or email us at president@tiptonmainstreet.org.