Several members of the Delphi community have discussed the need for an information or welcome center for more than two years. No plans ever really jelled for the project until recently. It was announced at the Nov. 16 board of works meeting that Delphi Main Street has secured a location for the center.

Two Main Street members signed a lease effective Nov. 1 for part of a building located at 106 W. Main St. It is expected the center will be functional by Feb. 1 of next year.

Building owner and Main Street secretary Kathy Bell told the Comet Monday that she currently operates a tax service in the space where the information center will be located. She said that in exchange for a small office area in the space she will man the center when her schedule per- mits during the week. Main Street chairperson Hank Ivey said group volunteers will fill in when Bell is not available.

Ivey explained the center will offer visitors information about where to go in town for needed goods and services and what cultural and recreational activities are available. He said information about civic organizations, government entities, schools, businesses and utilities will be available to new residents and visitors. There will also be space available for businesses and groups to display items, such as antiques. A conference area will be available to civic organizations as well.

According to Ivey, Main Street’s goal is to be a standalone entity from the City of Delphi.

“Main Street has been working very hard this year to become independent,” he said.

Although the organization receives almost 100 percent of its funding from the city, Ivey said it is not a city department or part of the city government and does not have to submit to budget approval like city departments. He said Main St. receives $18,000 from Delphi’s Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) for operating funds and $15,000 for a 2007 Downtown Enhancement Grant match with Indiana Main Street for façade improvements.

The organization has become a corporate entity with its own checking account and has applied to become a 501(c)3 charity. Ivey said seven façade grants were awarded in 2009 for projects at the Sandwich Shop, Emerson and Manahan Law Office, Abbott Real Estate, Comet office, the Huff Reynolds building on the corner of Front and Washington streets, and the Delphi Preservation Society building on Washington St.

Delphi Main Street has developed its own Web site which will be operational in the next 30 days. Ivey said there is a need for a significant amount of information to be available on the Internet that is not present on the city’s web site, so they designed their own site and will pay for a vendor to host it.

According to the Indiana Main Street Web site, there is a four-point approach designed for local Main Street communities. The state group serves as a resource for the local group to assist local groups with the goals. Delphi Main Street is charged with; enhancement of the physical appearance of the commercial district, building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals involved in the downtown revitalization process, marketing the commercial district’s assets to customers, potential investors, businesses, local citizens and visitors and strengthening the district’s existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities and challenges.

To learn more about the state organization visit www.in.gov/ocra/2364.htm.