Corporation promotes downtown Malvern
The Malvern Downtown Development Corporation is serving its purpose to organize and promote relationships to preserve and develop the beauty and economic stability of downtown Malvern. As a member of Main Street America's downtown network program, the group has made an impact in its progression in the revitalization of the downtown, Main Street Malvern area.
Malvern Downtown Development Board President Dara Casey has taken the lead role with the help of the board members striving to enhance the downtown area of Malvern becoming something important and significant for all citizens in the community to be proud of.
The group works with multiple entities including city and county government, and business owners, as well as others to improve the quality and look of downtown.
Last year, the Malvern Downtown Development Corporation was busy with projects and activities that impacted
Malvern Downtown Development Corporation has worked to improve downtown Malvern. One change is the addition of these banners. businesses on Main Street as well as several areas in the city and Hot Spring County.
Several volunteers in the community gave up their time
Saturday morning to participate in the annual Malvern Quarterly
Cleanup. The event was authorized by the Malvern Downtown Development with the Hot
Spring County Conversations,
Malvern Beautification Action Team and the City of Rockport.
Casey appreciated everyone who participated from organizations during the event.
Casey mentioned, more than 60 trash bags were taken up from the cleanup event. The bags of trash were transported to solid waste. She said the event was a city and countywide effort. Casey added, she was very thankful to all of the volunteers that participated last year especially local business representatives.
She also appreciated Rockport Mayor Ruth Ann Crites for coordinating volunteers from Rockport who participated in the cleanup event.
Supplies were provided for all participants and each volunteer received a T-shirt.
Keep Arkansas Beautiful helped supply trash bags, water, vests and gloves for volunteers to use during the clean up.
The mission of The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission— inspires and educates individuals to improve their communities by preventing litter, promoting recycling and keeping Arkansas beautiful.
During the Christmas holiday season in 2020, the Malvern Downtown Development Corporation authorized a holiday window decorating contest that took place for all local businesses between the 400 block of main.
Each business was requested to decorate their storefront window between November 28 through December 28, 2020 with a Christmas theme.
The grand prize winner received $200 including a people's choice winner receiving $125 for cash prizes.
The winner was presented with a trophy to display inside their business until next year's competition.
On behalf of the Malvern Downtown Development Corporation, Casey was thankful to all the out-of-town judges who made productive selections and choices from all specialized designed windows of all merchants who participated. She was also thankful to the contest sponsors.
To help shine a spotlight in downtown Malvern during the holiday season, the Small Business Saturday, Shop Small—
Shop Malvern Passport program exceeded expectations to turn out as a huge success in December 2020.
During the Shop Small Main St. Passport Program, the business owners gave away $375 worth of gift cards and gift certificates.
For a chance to win, individuals had to visit each participating business and collect signatures to fill up the passport. Individuals had to visit every business to be eligible to win.
Shoppers would leave their passport with their name and contact information at the last business that they visited. The event was a way to help promote and draw attention for the downtown area and businesses.
The Malvern Downtown Development Corporation also has offered an annual minigrant of $1,000 to businesses in the downtown area. This minigrant is to be used for exterior building improvements and business owners are encouraged to use the grants for things such as fresh paint, new awnings, and improved signage.
Casey added, the group has offered five $400 utility assistance grants to be used for electricity, gas, and/or water bills.
It is noted grants are available to property and business owners in downtown Malvern to provide utility assistance to downtown business owners. In order to be eligible, businesses must submit a written application. Grants recipients are selected based on financial need. Applicants must provide a copy of the utility bill along with proof of payment.
In the partnership with the Main Street Arkansas Communities program, The Malvern Downtown Development Corporation received funding of a $3,000 grant to contribute funds for downtown Malvern last year. According to Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, recently announced that communities participating in the Main Street Arkansas program, a part of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, will receive increased funding through their yearly Downtown Revitalization Grants.
Clare Graham with the Malvern Downtown Development Corporation mentioned the organization plans to upgrade downtown with several projects to help revitalize the area.
Graham added, they are aiming to develop a productive downtown improvement project to make the downtown area more attractive and help promote the downtown businesses in Malvern.
Amongst other additions for downtown Malvern, Casey was excited about the new banners for downtown main street that have arrived and were hung up. They have been currently displayed since the new year in January.
The organization is planning to have more upcoming events throughout the year. To stay updated on plans and more happenings, go online to the group's Facebook page.