RectorArkansas.com

Though a previous website had been in place, city officials wanted to streamline its presence on the internet with more of a focus on city groups, organizations and businesses, the hope being to provide those outside the city with an interest in Rector the best opportunity to familiarize themselves with the town and what it has available.

So far, the response to www.rectorarkansas.com has been good.

"I think our website has been a wonderful boon to the city and the Chamber of Commerce," city community development director Cyndi Corkran said. "I think it creates some excitement for the town and can play a large part in our efforts to attract new people and businesses. I would definitely like to see the website used to establish a dialogue with people from other areas in order to promote our city."

The site has a community calendar which will feature upcoming local events. This will be helpful not only to residents, but also people from out-of-town who may be interested in visiting Rector to take part in community activities.

The site is highlighted by photos depicting Rector and its events through the years. The photos can be updated, so different items and activities are featured.

In its design to ease local interaction, the site eventually will offer online bill payment. Residents will eventually be able to pay their water bills online. The same service also will allow for the payment of various fines to the city police department, as well.

The site was created by local resident Brad Holland through www.contendia.net his Communications and Technology Services business. Holland not only created the site, he also hosts and maintains it.

In creating www.rectorarkansas.com, Holland wanted to make certain city officials were able to have as much impact on the site's features as possible.

"It's set up so that the local government can constantly add information," Holland said. "This was intended to be an extension of the city's efforts to increase its community development. As part of that, the city needs to be able to add pertinent information as it becomes available."

Holland feels the website will allow Rector to "offer a selling point online" and "make itself more attractive to investors" through the availability of information and resources.

"Basically, its goal is to offer a better indication of the city of Rector to the rest of the world."