Batesville’s Melba Theater receives Main Street grant
BATESVILLE — Main Street Arkansas recently received news regarding a historic property within the Main Street programs. The Melba Theater in Batesville has received a $15,000 grant from the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program, sponsored by Main Street America and The Hartford.
The Melba Theater is included in the Batesville Commercial Historic District and is a local landmark that is frequently a centerpiece of Main Street Batesville events. The theater was originally built as a mercantile store and was remodeled in the 1940s in the art deco style. The Melba was one of Arkansas’ first CinemaScope theaters.
The HartBeat of Main Street program has awarded grants of $5,000 to $15,000 to 31 brick-andmortar small businesses across the country during a second round of funding. The grants are designed to help businesses respond and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants totaling more than $1.2 million have been awarded to 98 businesses from the HartBeat of Main Street program.
Awards can be used for a wide range of purposes, including physical improvements, equipment, online services, digital marketing, business-model expansions and general operating expenses. More information about the grants can be found at Main Street America’s blog www.mainstreet.org/howwecanhelp/blogs.
The mission of Main Street Arkansas is to be the leading resource for communities seeking to revitalize their historic downtown commercial districts and to provide technical assistance and expertise to designated MSA communities. For more information about the organization, contact Greg Phillips, program director, at (501) 324-9880.