Clay County Times-Democrat: Local News: Main Street Arkansas staffers offer design ideas here in visit (10/23/08)

Main Street Arkansas staff members were in Rector Tuesday, Oct. 14, to visit several business sites and offer ideas on design and renovation. Reviewing the day's findings late in the day at the Rector City Hall were, from left: Rector mayor Ron Kemp; Mark Miller, MSA small business adviser; Rector Chamber of Commerce members Barbara Hamilton and Robert Plante; Susan Shaddox, MSA interior design consultant, and Rector community development staffers Jacinda Welch and Cyndi Corkran. Rector city superintendent Todd Watson also was present for the site visits. The MSA team visited seven sites, including three active businesses, three future business sites and one demolished site.

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Main Street Arkansas staff members Mark Miller, small business consultant, and Susan Shaddox, interior design consultant, came to Rector last week to visit with several business owners who had expressed an interest in learning about different economic strategies relating to their location in town and how to improve the design and visual appeal of their business structures.

Three businesses were visited, as well as three vacant buildings earmarked for future projects and one location which recently sustained wind damage when the remnants of Hurricane Ike blew through town.

"Everything from handrails to canvas awning samples was covered, and it proved to be a fun and interesting day," said Rector community development director Cyndi Corkran.

After the site visits, the group convened at the Rector Municipal Courtroom for a presentation of findings with a question and answer period following. Miller and Shaddox both stressed that they are available to help with projects and that those interested need only to ask.

Since Rector now is a part of the Arkansas Downtown Network, a program of Main Street Arkansas, the services of MSA's departments are only a phone call away. "This has already been hugely instrumental in helping to locate grants and services which will help with planning, organization, economic development and design," Corkran said.

The local Arkansas Downtown Network program recently adopted as its name "Rector Downtown Central" and its board currently is working on by-laws and articles of incorporation for the non-profit, 501-3 c status, as well as a new logo.

Those who want more information may call Corkran at 595-3035 or email: communitydevelopment@rectorarkansas.com