We are proud of our downtown heritage and are honored to have received full accreditation from both Main Street Texas and Main Street Arkansas. We have been recognized as an accredited National Main Street community! This is quite an accomplishment with two cities that each have their own unique challenges, but each offering wonderful opportunities.
The National Main Street program is over 35 years old and continues to support the mission of each state program to promote, educate, and encourage economic vitality through historic preservation. This is a tremendous goal, but the program continues to show what can be done, what has been done, and what will continue to be done in the preservation and development of the heart of our city.
Whether a Main Street community is a railroad community, as we re, driven by the arts, as we are, or is fortunate enough to have the beauty of numerous historic buildings (we have that, too!), each is unique on the map. Each main Street community uses its unique assets to promote and encourage growth and excitement for its heritage and value. What a fun job! And, as a member of the Main Street program, continuous support, professional assistance, and education are why we are able to show numerous successes today.
Main Street Texarkana is not only unique with its two states, but we have also been awarded tens of thousands of dollars for facade improvement loans/grants, starting with the national Benjamin Moore Paint What Matters campaign, winning improvements to nearly 50 buildings. And most recently, we were awarded through the National Main Street Center and Main Street Texas (one of only two cities chosen in the country) to receive $65,000 in loans/grants and services. As an accredited Main Street Arkansas community, we annually receive grant funds for downtown renovation projects. (the BIG grant). This allows us to further support downtown projects. We are also able to assist with a low interest gap loan to downtown businesses, for help with major business development projects.
Design assistance, small business operation guidance, and promotion are just a few of the services that are offered through the Main Street Texarkana program. Each service, free of charge, reinforces the Four Point Approach: Design, Organization, Promotion, and Economic Vitality that is offered to business and building owners in the Main Street district.
So get on board, see the sites of historic downtown Texarkana, enjoy its numerous delicious restaurants, and attend the ever growing number of events. You will be glad you came to visit, or glad you are among those that call Texarkana "home."
Ina McDowell
Executive Director
Main Street Texarkana
