2018 Second Street
Reconstruction Project

Aurora Utilities installed a new water main on Second Street in our continuing work to upgrade infrastructure needs downtown. The City of Aurora in partnership with a INDOT Community Crossings roadway project funding award will then focus on full Second Street pavement overlay between US 50 to Judiciary Street to include all new sidewalks, ADA ramps, inlets, pavement markings, signage and decorative brick crosswalk intersections. Also, the city block of Second St. between Main Street and Judiciary Street will be converted into a two-way access street.

Second Street utility improvements and Community Crossings project coordination is estimated to occur between May thru September of 2018. For more information please contact Guinevere Emery, City Manager at gemery@aurora.in.us or 513-505-7647. Thank you for your patience during our revitalization and reinvestment in historic Downtown Aurora!

The prosperity of downtown Aurora is vital to the commercial viability of Aurora as a whole. In 2016, the City of Aurora created the Downtown Strategic Revitalization Project to stimulate efforts to improve the street appearance of historic downtown Aurora's central business facades, and in doing so, provided a means to help stimulate the business environment of downtown Aurora. Central to downtown revitalization is the Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program for residential and commercial properties located within the core business district. Grants are limited to exterior preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of real properties identified on the approved map attached by eligible sites.

Grant awards may not exceed a total of $5,000 during a 12-month period for actual construction costs. A minimum Facade Improvement project application is $25.00.

All grants awarded require a matching dollar-for-dollar expenditure by the owner or tenant.

Second-round application deadline: Thurs., May 31st by 4pm, in the City Manager Office.

For more information contact:
Guinevere Emery
City Manager
513-505-7647

Flood Disaster Recovery

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials on Monday initiated disaster recovery operations following the declaration by President Donald Trump that Indiana is now eligible for federal assistance due to historic flooding Feb. 14 - March 4.

The Major Disaster Declaration identifies nine counties for Individual Assistance and 27 counties for Public Assistance. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.”

This information, as well as access to the FEMA links found within this content, are available on the IDHS webpage Here.

2018 Main Street America Accreditation

Main Street Aurora has been designated as an accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards set by the National Main Street Center. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its Coordinating Program partners announce the list of accredited Main Street America programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.

Main Street Aurora envisions downtown Aurora will be a thriving business, residential and arts community offering a unique experience that seamlessly blends the natural beauty of its landscape, preservation of its historic heritage and multitude of retail, entertainment and service establishments. Main Street Aurora is working to make a Difference! Your financial support through membership, sponsorship, or the purchase of items offered for sale by Main street Aurora is greatly appreciated and supports special events, public relations efforts and the revitalization of Historic Downtown Aurora. Find all upcoming events at aurora.in.us.

Community Business Highlight

City of Aurora Congratulates

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Peyton (Pete) and Joe Tandy opened their corner market on the corner of 3rd and Judiciary in 1950. These industrious brothers built up one of Aurora’s anchor businesses through hard work and ingenuity. Their loyal customer base included those who bought groceries delivered to their doors, neighbors from Kentucky who would ferry across to Aurora, and local residents. Their business grew to the extent that, in the late 1960's, the brothers expanded their store to the size you see today. The Tandy brothers have passed; Joe in 2000, and Pete in 2003, but their legacy lives on. In addition to their many regular customers, Tandy’s IGA has thrived in large part due to their faithful, hardworking employees!

Tandy’s bakery & deli offer great menu items for breakfast and lunch, including their famous donuts and fried chicken. Their 10-pound meat sale is available all month long. In addition to in-store offerings, Tandy's IGA runs a quality catering service. Every Spring is announced in Aurora with the Annual Tent Sale.

Rumpke Solid Waste Collection has begun.

Contact Rumpke at 800-828-8171 today to order delivery of new 96 gallon trash totes for trash pick-up. $3.00 per trash tote monthly applies.

2017 AIM Municipal Innovation Award

Pictured left to right: Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Oren Turner, City Manager Guinevere Emery, Mayor Donnie Hastings Jr., Councilman Patrick Schwing, and Clerk Treasurer Benny Turner.

Congratulations to the City of Aurora, Main Street Aurora, and all of our city reinvestment partners.

For more information about the 2018 Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program please contact Aurora City Manager Guinevere Emery at 513-505-7647 or at gemery@aurora.in.us

Attached is the City of Aurora AIM Municipal Innovation Award and community showcase video presented at the AIM Ideas Summit in Evansville, Indiana on October 11th, 2017. The 2017 AIM Municipal Innovation Award, presented by Umbaugh, recognized the City of Aurora’s Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program as part of the Downtown Revitalization Strategic Plan. Accelerate Indiana Municipalities, previously known as IACT, now AIM’s, statement of purpose is “To foster, promote and advocate for the success of Hoosier municipalities as laboratories of innovation, hubs of talent and the engines driving our state’s economy.” The overwhelming success of the City of Aurora’s Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program stems from the premise of shared vision, local support and funding ingenuity. Please take the time to enjoy our beautiful ariel community showcase video for the City of Aurora.

Vistas of Aurora

Whether you come to Aurora, you are treated to a charming view of a river town which is historic, yet constantly changing. The appealing panoramas of the many spires and 19th century buildings are punctuated by countless small details, both attractive and creative, that have been capturing people’s attention for over a century and a half. We hope after watching this slideshow you’ll want to walk the streets in our Historic District, looking for these and other sights which say “Welcome,” and “Stay awhile!”

New Businesses

Mayor Donnie Hastings, Jr. and the City of Aurora along with the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce have welcomed the following new businesses and re-opened businesses to Aurora with ribbon cuttings since September 2012.