2026 Quarter 1 Recap
Heart of Jasper kicked off 2026 with 2 new Transformation Strategies-Alive After 5! And Connect, Park, Walk Downtown.
The Economic Vitality Committee administered Round 6 of the Façade Grant Program. Nine new projects were selected with work to be completed in 2026. One business received $10,000 from the New Business Incentive to relocate his business from his home to a vacant building in the downtown. The Vacant Building list is updated as needed and uploaded on to the Heart of Jasper Website. A designated team was created to focus on public restrooms. This committee identified the need, possible solutions with location, cost, maintenance, etc to present to the City of Jasper. The goal is to have public restrooms in downtown Jasper by June 1st.
Heart of Jasper hosted our annual Community Appreciation Night at the new pizza restaurant on the Square in Jasper. Fifty guests attended including board members, advisors, committee members, and public. The director and president of Heart of Jasper presented on 2025 successes and 2026 projects. The 2026 Fundraising Campaign kicked off in February with Board Members and Organization Committee members helping with the letter campaign. The director spends time enter the funds into Network for Good and following up with donors through video or handwritten notes. Weekly newsletters are sent to over 500 contacts with upcoming events for the week and other important announcements from Heart of Jasper.
The Promotion Committee has been busy planning events for the year. Weekly Music on Main is scheduled for every Friday night in May-July from 6-8pm. Alive After 5! Is the first Friday of the Month from May-December with late shopping hours, live music, vendors, games, etc. The Downtown Chowdown is back for the 7th year and is scheduled for June, July, September. The July Chowdown is our City’s celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary. This event will be held at Jaycee Park and the Jasper Pool with 3 bands playing from 5-10, sand volleyball games, bounce house, pool party, and ending the evening with a drone show. Mingle on Main is our annual fundraiser scheduled for the first Friday in October.
The Design Committee is working with IU students from the Luddy School to complete the installation of sensors in the Piano Alley. Biweekly meetings are scheduled to get an update on progress. The sensors are scheduled to be installed May 15th. Heart of Jasper received a $7500 grant from the National Realtors Association to complete this project. Heart of Jasper partnered with IU CRE Placemaking Studio for a summer project to help with wayfinding signs throughout the downtown.
