Featured image (from left): Robb Roberts (executive vice president, First Community Bank); Phil Baldwin (CEO, Citizens Bank); Mandi Curtwright (executive director, Main Street Batesville); David Thompson (owner of Thompson’s Jewelry and co-chair of The River Haunt); Ashley Walker (board member, Independence County Library); Danny Dozier (project coordinator, Maxfield Park); Shanna Fretwell (owner, The Royal on Main); Stan Fretwell (owner, The Royal on Main); Rick Elumbaugh (mayor, city of Batesville) / Photo credits: Mandy Shoptaw, Main Street Arkansas
Main Street Arkansas and Arkansas Downtown Network programs across the state were honored on Wednesday night at the Statehouse Convention Center during the Arkansas Municipal League conference.
The awards ceremony is held biannually, and this year’s event celebrated accomplishments from 2017 through 2019.
There were 20 awards given and Main Street Batesville claimed seven of the awards. The awards were:
Best Public/Private Partnership – Citizens Bank Impact Loan & Grant Program
Best Adaptive In-fill Project (public space) – Independence County Library
Best Adaptive In-fill Project (private space) – The Royal on Main
Best Creative Fundraising Effort – Main Street Batesville’s The River Haunt
Best Facade Renovation – First Community Bank’s downtown branch
Best Downtown Public Improvement Project (public space) – Maxfield Park
“Receiving these awards solidifies all of the dedication that so many people have to keeping downtown revitalized,” said Mandi Curtwright, executive director of Main Street Batesville. “The businesses and organizations that received awards all play a large role in keeping our downtown one of the best in the state.”
