Franklin Development Corporation - FDC of Indiana

10/19/2026

Can you believe it is time to think about Christmas decorations and activities! This is your chance to help our partners at Discover Downtown Franklin brighten the holidays for everyone! We truly are a Hallmark city in December, and you can share in that with us!

2026 FRANKLIN HOLIDAY LIGHTING TREE SPONSORSHIPS ARE NOW OPEN! 🎄🎄🎄

Be part of one of Franklin's most beloved holiday traditions! We're excited to announce that our 2026 Holiday Lighting Tree Sponsorships are officially open to the public! Whether you're a local business, organization, family, or individual, sponsoring a tree is a wonderful way to show your community spirit while helping keep downtown Franklin shining bright throughout the holiday season.

NEW THIS YEAR! We've redesigned our sponsorship signs with a larger, custom-cut courthouse design! Each sponsor can feature their business logo or a personalized message on their sign, displayed alongside their sponsored tree throughout the holiday season.

Tree sponsorships range from $200 to $500, depending on the location and size of the tree. Many of our returning sponsors have already reserved their trees, so don't wait to claim your favorite location! Sponsorships are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All proceeds support Discover Downtown Franklin's Holiday Lighting Fund, helping continue a community tradition that has brought holiday cheer to downtown Franklin for generations.

View available locations and reserve your tree today:
https://pci.jotform.com/form/262784875860171

Thank you for helping us keep Franklin merry and bright!🎄

09/21/2026

We are gearing up for the conference next week and are excited to show off our hard work!

Over the past 20 years, downtown Franklin has been a model of the power of preservation.

09/17/2026

Come to Franklin this weekend and visit some unique homes and businesses! Historic preservation is so important, and this tour shows some of our finest examples.

Step inside 11 of Franklin's most historic and architecturally significant homes and buildings during the Franklin Heritage Inc. Historic Home Tour on Sept. 19 and 20.

Tickets are on sale now at the link below.

https://www.historicartcrafttheatre.org/hometour2026.html

09/09/2026

The City of Franklin is conducting a downtown parking study to determine the best use of parking and how to make your downtown experience safer and better. To do that, we need to hear from you! Please take a few minutes and complete this survey as a visitor to downtown, a business owner, or a resident, or all three!
https://www.franklin.in.gov/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=9835

08/31/2026

Plan now to attend this fun event and learn more about our community and businesses in downtown and the commercial district.

08/27/2026

We are strong advocates of historic preservation but also strong advocate for building with beauty and maintaining with beauty. Aesthetics matter!

So much of what makes a person appreciate their community is beauty.

We place a considerable amount of value on aesthetics. Humans have a greater sense of attachment to places that are pretty. We seek out charming environments and will pay more to visit them or live in them.

Yet most communities don't have a single organization advocating for good aesthetics. Not one person whose job it is to ask whether what gets built is actually worth caring about.

Which is why most towns never see anything attractive built.

Years ago I was involved with my local preservation organization. It was time to replace the old wooden sign in front of the organization's prized property. We ended up in a heated argument about whether to replace it with a plastic sign. Equal proponents on each side. It left me astonished. I had assumed that preservation minded people were also concerned with quality design.

Preservation matters. It is fundamental to the revitalization of any community. But we cannot overlook how much it matters that the built environment, whether ancient or brand new, is lovable and charming. People derive a sense of attachment from things they find attractive. And a building has a much better chance of growing old if it's pretty.

Whether new or old, beauty is timeless.

08/03/2026

Please take a moment and vote for our Franklin Farmers Market for the ultimate market in the state! This market won last year and we would love to see a repeat! Markets are such an important part of the fabric of the community.

🏆 3 DAYS LEFT TO VOTE!
😎 Click: https://tinyurl.com/26FranklinFM
😍 Please share with friends!

Last year, the Franklin Farmers Market was named Indiana's Ultimate Farmers Market by Indiana Grown!, and we're honored to have the opportunity to defend that title in 2026! 😅

Every Saturday, our market brings together local farmers, makers, musicians, food vendors, nonprofits, volunteers, and thousands of shoppers who make downtown Franklin such a special place. This recognition belongs to our entire community. If you love the Franklin Farmers Market, we'd be honored to have your vote! 💚

✅ Vote in just a few seconds using the QR code or the link above.
✅ You can vote once every day through August 5!

Thank you for supporting local agriculture, small businesses, and everything that makes the Franklin Farmers Market one of Indiana's best. Let's keep the title in Franklin! ❤

07/27/2026

This building was home to Deer's Hardware until the early 1980s. The store spanned three floors and stretched all the way from this entrance on South Water Street to East Court Street. The visitor center side used to be the loading dock, and the front door was located on East Court Street. The store sold all kinds of home improvement tools, as well as tractors and farm equipment.
During renovation into the visitor center, Festival Country borrowed from Franklin's rich commercial history and installed a blade sign on the southeast corner of the building in a style that honors the original Deer's Hardware sign. The FDC granted a facade matching grant, which allowed the building to have the sign as well as restoring the front windows with vibrant colors.

The Visitors Center is currently celebrating the history of our country with a Statue of Liberty and American Flag artwork. Stop in and see all the fun things Johnson County offers, while reminding yourself of the history of this beautiful building.

07/20/2026

Did you know Franklin will host a state conference this fall? We are excited to share with others how our community came together and made Franklin a great Hallmark community!

07/14/2026

Transformational Tuesday! Remember when Ann's changed their look, but not their amazing food?