Learn About

Discover Downtown Franklin, Inc.

Since Franklin, Indiana was featured in the December 2, 1940 issue of Life magazine, our downtown has been considered a special destination in Central Indiana.

The quaint restaurants and locally-owned shops have been a gathering place for generations. Visitors love a classic movie at the Historic Artcraft Theatre, concerts at our new amphitheater and car shows on the square.

Discover Downtown Inc works to preserve and promote the businesses and support the city's effort to make the downtown beautiful and inviting.

Welcome to Franklin, Indiana

Franklin has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1823. We benefit from being close to the amenities of a major metropolitan area - Indianapolis - and the comforts and convenience of a small town. Our people are friendly, diverse and engaged.

Victorian mansions line King and Jefferson streets, and our trails provide opportunities for a quiet walk or a scenic jog.

We also are a community on the move. Our pro-business attitude and strategic location have attracted companies globally, including seven Japanese corporations.

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Images from LIFE magazine feature on downtown Franklin, Indiana in 1940.

Connecting people to our downtown community.

Our Mission

Main-Street-America-White

A Main Street Community

Discover Downtown Franklin Inc. is nationally accredited through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Main Street Program is a proven method of downtown revitalization throughout the country. Its success is based on the 4 Point Approach:

Design
Economic Vitality
Organization
Promotion

Meet the Staff

 

Danny Causey

Danny Causey

Executive Director

Danny came to DDF after 10 years as Director of Architectural Salvage with Franklin Heritage, Inc.

EMAIL DANNY

Jen-Weltich-(Assistant-Director)

Jennifer Weltich

Assistant Director

Jennifer joined DDF in 2023 after working at Wiley Publishing. She is a Franklin College graduate.

EMAIL JENNIFER

Meet the Board of Directors

 

Josh Shanafelt

Josh Shanafelt, President

Franklin Jewelers

Emily Olibo

Emily Olibo, Vice President

Independent Colleges of Indiana

Toni Breeden

Toni Breeden, Secretary

Breeden Electric

Krista Linke

Krista Linke, Treaurer

City of Franklin Community Development, Franklin Development Corporation

Dana Monson

Dana Monson, Past President

City of Franklin Community Development, Franklin Development Corporation

Tricia Bechman

Tricia Bechman

Mutual Savings Bank

Courtney Bohling

Courtney Bohling

Franklin Parks & Recreation

Glenn Faris

Glenn Faris

Franklin Heritage, Inc.

Stephanie Northern

Stephanie Northern

Main & Madison Market Café

Chris Rynerson

Chris Rynerson

Leugers Insurance Group

Taylor Tyndall

Taylor Tyndall

Festival Country Indiana

Jody Veldkamp

Jody Veldkamp

Johnson County Public Library

Carolyn Williams

Carolyn Williams

Community Volunteer

Our Committees

Design

Our goal is to get downtown Franklin into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets, such as historic buildings and the traditional downtown layout.  

We are focusing on an inviting atmosphere created by window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, street lights and landscaping to convey a visual message about what Downtown Franklin is and what it has to offer.

Chair: Glenn Faris

Meetings: Second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. on the Second Floor of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

Economic Vitality

Our goal is to identify new market opportunities for downtown Franklin, find new uses for historic commercial properties, and stimulate investment in downtown property.

Chair: Krista Linke

Meetings: Second Friday of each month at 9 a.m. on the Second Floor of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

Organization

Our goal is to keep the board and each committee in good standing by attracting people and funding to the organization.  The Organization Committee takes responsibility for managing the financial and logistical aspects of Discover Downtown Franklin.

Chair: Josh Shanafelt

Meetings: Third Monday of each month at  1 p.m. on the Second Floor of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

Promotion

Our goal is to promote Downtown Franklin as the center of commerce, culture and community life for residents and visitors alike.

Chair: Chris Rynerson

Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. on the Second Floor of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce.

Annual Reports

2024

View and Download

Why Historic Preservation

is Good for Your Community

Discover Downtown Franklin partners with Franklin Heritage, Inc. and the Franklin Development Corporation to preserve and protect historic building in Downtown Franklin, Indiana. The efforts not only beautify our downtown, but are good for our local economy.

READ ON
Anne's Restaurant Franklin, Indiana

Our  Partners

City of Franklin Indiana
Franklin Chamber of Commerce Indiana
Franklin Heritage, Franklin, Indiana
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Indiana Main Street
Office of Rural and Community Affairs