Cindy Corkran, Nancy Kemp, Betty Benson and Todd Watson [Click to enlarge]

Four members of Rector's Arkansas Downtown Network board attended a two-day Main Street Arkansas Downtown Institute last week in Little Rock. They are, from left: community development director Cyndi Corkran, Clay County Democrat editor Nancy Kemp, city administrative assistant Betty Benson and city superintendent Todd Watson.

Experts in downtown revitalization presented intensive half-day sessions on each of the four work areas of Main Street Four-Point Approach. Stephanie Redman, a consultant from New Mexico, spoke on how to organize a downtown revitalization program; Kathy LaPlante, program officer with the National Trust Main Street Center, showed ways to promote downtown; Keith Kjelstrom, an economist from California, spoke on how to best position downtowns economically, and Kevin Pomeroy, AICP, a planner and architectural design consultant, spoke on downtown streetscapes and historic architectural design.

Members of the Arkansas Downtown Network soon will receive no-cost, on-site visits presented by Main Street Arkansas staff which will be open to the public. Interior design consultant Susan Shaddox will conduct a workshop entitled "Designing Window Displays that Sell," small business consultant Mark Miller will present "Surviving in a Big Box World," and exterior design consultant Nancy Lowe will speak on historic architecture and streetscapes.

Main Street Arkansas assistant director Greg Phillips will work with volunteers on the next steps for revitalizing downtown Rector.