Prairie Grove To Pursue Main Street Arkansas Status

LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER The city of Prairie Grove and Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce have decided to move forward in applying to be a part of the Arkansas Main Street program.
LYNN KUTTER ENTERPRISE-LEADER The city of Prairie Grove and Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce have decided to move forward in applying to be a part of the Arkansas Main Street program.

PRAIRIE GROVE -- With 25-30 people attending a meeting about the Main Street Arkansas program and more than nine raising their hands volunteering to serve on a steering committee, the city of Prairie Grove will move forward in applying to be a part of the program.

Specifically, the city is interested in applying for the Arkansas Downtown Network program that falls under Main Street Arkansas. The network does not require the financial commitment for those cities that are part of Main Street Arkansas.

Prairie Grove Area Chamber of Commerce initiated discussion about joining the program and will submit a letter of intent to apply for the program. A formal application is due to the Arkansas Department of Heritage by March 31, 2018.

Larry Oelrich, director of the city's administrative services and public works and a chamber board member, told those at a public meeting on the subject that a letter of intent to apply does not obligate the city to apply for the program.

Oelrich said he believes Prairie Grove would benefit from being a part of Main Street Arkansas and its Arkansas Downtown Network and especially feels that way after attending a pre-application meeting in Little Rock for cities interested in the program.

"It was an eye opener what other cities and towns are doing with the Main Street program," Oelrich said.

In addition to Prairie Grove, representatives from Paris, Mena and Strong attended the meeting. It's not easy to get into the program and applications are only accepted on a two-year cycle. If Prairie Grove does not apply by the March 31 deadline, it will have to wait another two years to try to get into the program, Oelrich said.

The program takes a commitment from the community as a whole, not just downtown businesses, Oelrich said.

"Without the commitment, there's really no reason to go forward."

Main Street Arkansas is not a grant program and it's not a downtown merchants association. It is a resource for communities that provides expertise in areas such as technical assistance, exterior and interior design, marketing and access to webinars, resources, grants and latest trends.

These resources would be available to any businesses within the network boundaries established as part of an agreement.

It is a comprehensive approach to economic development through preservation and revitalization," Oelrich said.

Main Street Arkansas cities in this region of the state include Siloam Springs, Eurkea Springs, Rogers, Ozark and Russellville. Another 16 cities have been admitted into the Downtown Network program and these include Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Clarksville in this part of the state.

If accepted, Prairie Grove's commitment would be a long-term approach, not "one and done," Oelrich said.

Cities must commit to it for three years, with the hope they continue for many beyond that.

The application must show a commitment from the community as a whole, not just one segment.

The application also must show the city has a steering committee of at least nine members and that it has established a budget and how it will fund the budget.

The Downtown Network Program requires a minimum annual budget of $4,350. Of the total, $3,000 is dedicated for the advisory committee for education and travel expenses, $1,000 is used for a local grant program and $350 is for annual dues to the National Main Street Center.

Oelrich listed benefits cities have from joining the program. These include increased property values, assistance with tax credits, grants, loan programs, design consultation, increased sales, an improved image. The program also has helped downtowns survive, improved quality of life and improved communication between partners. Cities have a better sense of hometown and community.

Oelrich asked those at the meeting what they considered Prairie Grove's assets and answers thrown out included historic buildings, the town's history, architecture and an "ambiance" that brings people to downtowns.

Another asset, Oelrich said, is that people are seeking authentic places to shop and explore.

Main Street has a four-point approach to help cities, Oelrich said. These are:

1. Design - get the commercial district in top physical shape, creating attractive places and destinations.

2. Organization - get the community to work together with a shared vision for downtown.

3. Promotion - marketing the district's unique character, assets and businesses.

4. Economic Vitality - diversifying the district's economic base and strengthening businesses.

Those at the meeting briefly discussed some future funding ideas, such as a 1 percent restaurant/hospitality tax, chamber fundraisers and downtown fundraisers. Another discussion was whether to pursue a citywide election to allow alcohol to be sold in the dry sections of Prairie Grove.

General News on 12/20/2017