DTCP’s Tippopoly Named Finalist for Statewide Award

Tippopoly Named Finalist for Statewide Heritage Ohio Award

What began as a creative idea to celebrate Tipp City has become an investment in the future of our downtown.

The Downtown Tipp City Partnership’s Tippopoly project has been selected as one of three statewide finalists for Heritage Ohio’s 2026 Best Main Street Committee Project Award. Each year, Heritage Ohio recognizes the people, places, and projects that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to community growth through preservation and revitalization.

Tippopoly was developed by DTCP’s Economic Development Committee as a fully customized board game featuring Tipp City businesses, nonprofits, landmarks and community assets. The committee members who created and worked on the concept were Mike McDermott, Christy Jacobs, Andrea Hoover, Tasha Weaver, Meredith McKee, Matt Spring, and Ben Mosier. Local organizations purchased spaces and sponsorships on the board, helping create a game that feels uniquely Tipp City.

The project debuted during the 2025 holiday season and quickly became more than a fun community keepsake. Because sponsorship and participation revenue covered the game’s production costs before the first retail copy was sold, proceeds from game sales provided DTCP with the financial boost needed to begin establishing an endowment fund.

The endowment represents an important step toward DTCP’s long-term sustainability. Rather than supporting only one event or short-term project, it will help create a lasting source of funding for future efforts to preserve, promote and enhance historic downtown Tipp City. As the fund grows, it will strengthen DTCP’s ability to care for the downtown district, support thoughtful revitalization and continue creating a welcoming community for residents, businesses and visitors.

None of this would have been possible without the Tipp City Foundation.

In the second quarter of 2025, the Tipp City Foundation approved a $5,000 grant to cover Tippopoly’s initial production deposit. That early investment allowed DTCP to move the project from an idea to production. The Foundation believed in Tippopoly before a single game had been created or sold, giving the organization the opportunity to take a creative risk that will now benefit the community for years to come.

DTCP is also grateful to every business, nonprofit and community organization that purchased a place on the board; to the committee members and volunteers who helped bring the game to life; and to everyone who purchased a copy. Each person who participated became part of a project that celebrates Tipp City’s identity while helping protect its future.

Being named a finalist is an exciting honor, but Tippopoly’s greatest accomplishment can already be seen in the lasting impact it has created. A locally inspired board game brought the community together, strengthened DTCP and helped lay the foundation for a more sustainable future for historic downtown Tipp City.

A limited number of Tippopoly games are still available at Monroe Federal Savings and Loan downtown, Fox and Feather Trading Co., Browse Awhile Books, Thunder Forge Gaming and Abbey Credit Union on the west side of town. Realtors, investors and local companies interested in purchasing multiple games to give as gifts are encouraged to contact the DTCP office and ask for Tasha.

Those who would like to make an even longer-lasting investment in downtown Tipp City can contribute directly to DTCP’s endowment fund held by the Tipp City Foundation. Every gift, regardless of size, will help grow a lasting source of support for DTCP’s future work and ensure that Tippopoly’s impact continues well beyond the sale of the final game. Donations can be made through the Tipp City Foundation’s online giving page.

The Best Main Street Committee Project Award will be presented during the 2026 Heritage Ohio Annual Conference. The award ceremony will take place Wednesday, September 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the historic Woodward Theater in downtown Cincinnati. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Whether Tippopoly receives the final award or not, this recognition belongs to the entire Tipp City community. It demonstrates what can happen when a community believes in an idea, works together and invests in something that will continue making a difference long after the last game is sold.