This article has been updated to correct the name of one of the founders of Fortville Action, Inc., Dave Beatson.
FORTVILLE — It began with a small group who wanted to put on a winter festival in their town.
Over the following decade, it’s evolved into other events and efforts, from sprucing up landscaping to bringing in bands to perform live outside.
Fortville Action, Inc., which works toward the betterment of the town, turns 10 this year. Leaders of the volunteer organization continue to come up with new endeavors and hope to see it grow even more in the future.
The catalyst for FAI was a few businesses and residents who organized a winter festival in 2010 that drew hundreds of guests.
“We weren’t really formed as a group,” said Bob Sterrett, FAI chair.
But that didn’t last long. He, his wife, Milda Sterrett, and Dave and Sharon Beatson led efforts to get the organization incorporated in fall 2011. The following year, it received its Main Street designation from the state.
Managed by the Indiana Office of Community & Rural Affairs, the state’s Main Street Program helps communities revitalize their downtown commercial districts.
FAI has been revitalizing Fortville’s downtown and beyond each spring by teaming up with volunteers to place new mulch in tree beds, trim landscaping and plant flowers around town.
That first winter festival in 2010 became FAI’s annual Winterfest, which has featured aspects like a parade, vendors, visits from Santa Claus and an ice rink.
The organization started its annual Summer Concert Series in 2018, bringing live music acts weekly to Landmark Park.
FAI has also helped organize live painting tournaments in town and donated automated external defibrillators to the Fortville Police Department.
“It’s a good feeling when you’re doing one of these things,” Bob Sterrett said.
He feels downtown districts in small towns like Fortville are important because they offer traditional shopping opportunities and can satisfy a rising desire for communities to have “walkability.”
“It’s really tough to walk to any of the big box stores to do any shopping … People like coming to little Main Streets like that, because it’s not a main thoroughfare,” he said.
The districts and the events held in them also inspire a sense of community, he continued.
“People were gathering for the Winterfest just to talk to each other,” he said. “They hadn’t seen each other for years.”
Milda Sterrett, an FAI board member and past president, agreed.
“I think that so many young families want that and they like being close to a small town that they feel safe in,” she said.
Libby Wyatt, a Fortville Town Council member who owns two businesses on Main Street, said FAI has a genuine interest in businesses not only downtown, but beyond.
“They personally come in and shop at the stores and check in with business owners, just like a Main Street organization would do,” Wyatt said. “They raise funds to have programming and things to bring people into Fortville, not just to come to the stores but to enjoy our parks and restaurants.”
After a decade of action, FAI does not intend to slow down. The group is planning its first golf outing fundraiser slated for August at Arrowhead Golf Course in Greenfield.
In the future, the Sterretts would like to see FAI grow enough to have an employee, like Greenfield Main Street has in executive director Debra Smith. They envision office space manned by someone well-versed in writing grants, like the ones the group is currently pursuing to help fund sprucing up the Mill Street walkway west of Main Street.
The group’s funding model would need to evolve in order for that to happen, however, as it currently fully relies on sponsors.
“It’d be nice if we had someone, even part time,” Bob Sterrett said. “But we need regular sources of income.”
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Executive board
- Bob Sterrett, chair
- Sharon Beatson, vice Chair
- Linda Calhoun, treasurer
- Missy Quiggins, secretary
- Jen Sterrett, past chair
Board members
- Sherry Earley
- Milda Sterrett
- Haley Frischkorn
- Dave Beatson
- Ronnie Brawner
- Amy Kleine
- Paul Cook
- Kristi Kier
- Pat Calhoun
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