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About MDDP

Muncie Downtown Development Partnership (formerly known as Heart of the City) is a 501(c)3 organization supported by public and private partnerships that promotes, develops, and maintains a secure, livable, and economically viable downtown for the Muncie community.

MDDP was formed by Mayor Dan Canan in 1998 as a task force to improve the business climate, livability, and overall aesthetic of the downtown area. To accomplish that mission, new businesses and professionals were recruited to the area and a common set of goals became a vehicle for collaboration among existing businesses, residents, local government officials, and other groups and organizations with an interest in the betterment of downtown.

By 2001, the task force had evolved into a full-fledged 501(c)3 organization. Over the last ten years, countless individuals and groups have been brought into the fold, resulting in the active and vibrant downtown that exists today.

Current MDDP goals include:

• Planning and initiating the continued development of the downtown area.
• Recruiting new businesses and retaining existing ones.
• Increasing downtown's residential base, and the services that support it.
• Improving confidence in the safety and cleanliness of the area.
• Enhancing public spaces.
• Assuring affordable, abundant, and convenient parking.
• Marketing Downtown Muncie through cooperative initiatives.
• Creating and facilitating a wide variety of downtown events.

Officers and Board Members

• Jim Borgmann - President
• Bill Smith - Vice President
• Dan Allen - Secretary
• John Bowles - Treasurer
• Joann McKinney
• Traci Lutton
• Jason Allardt
• Dave Ring
• Bob Hartley
• Bill Morgan
• Marta Moody
• Mike Powell
• Mike King
  

Accomplishments

Over the past decade, the pursuit of MDDP's mission has resulted in a number of successes for Downtown Muncie, including:

• Attraction of $21,000,000 in private investment.
• Development and occupation of 200 new residential living spaces.
• Renovation of 32 existing buildings.
• Establishment of 64 new businesses.
• Development of 256,000 square feet.
• Hosting of 506 downtown events, including 136 annual events, bringing 250,000 people into the area.

Awards & Designations

MDDP's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Among the many accolades the downtown area has received, it has been most recognized for the following:

• Identified by the Muncie Action Plan committee as one of Muncie's top assets.
• Named “Community of the Year for Downtown Development” by the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce.
• Earned a Main Street Community designation.
• Earned a Preserve America designation.
• Designated as an Arts and Cultural District by the City of Muncie.
• Selected as the home of Ivy Tech Community College.

As MDDP enters into its second decade, there continues to be work to do. A number of long-term strategies have been developed that will continue the exciting growth and enhancement of Muncie's Downtown. Part of our new and improved website will allow you to explore those initiatives in detail, as well as provide opportunities to get involved.

It's good to be here.