about Main Street Paris
Main Street Paris ensures that downtown Paris, Arkansas remains an important and prosperous part of the community. The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, accredited through Main Street America, created to stimulate revitalization of historic downtown Paris. It provides capital, incentives and economic tools to assist new and existing businesses to ensure economic vitality. The uniqueness of Paris, AR is celebrated through a community design that enhances its physical assets. Upgraded street signs, Eiffel Tower Park and planted flowers are a few examples. Main Street Paris develops public events that position downtown as the center of the Paris community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases its unique characteristics.
What we do
ECONOMIC VITALITY
We provide capital, incentives and economic tools to assist new and existing businesses. The goal is to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive the local economy. |
DESIGN
The uniqueness of Paris, AR is set apart through a community design that enhances its physical and visual assets. Upgraded street signs, Eiffel Tower Park and planted flowers are a few examples. |
PROMOTION
Public events position downtown as the center of the Paris community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases its unique characteristics. |
benefits of doing business in the paris main street district
main street america accreditation
|
As an Accredited Main Street America™ program, Main Street Paris is a recognized leading program among the national network of over 1,200 downtowns who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance set forth by the National Main Street Center.
|
2023 Annual snapshot
MEET OUR BOARD of Directors
Heather Mayes
Main Street Paris Executive Director |
Danielle Barham
Main Street Paris President Barham Balloons |
Andrea Walker
Main Street Paris Vice President Mercy Hospital |
Ashley Denney
Main Street Paris Secretary True Grit Grounds: Coffee & Tea |
Jamie Varnell
Main Street Paris Treasurer Varnell Media |
Travis Schluterman
Main Street Paris Past President Union Bank |
Erika Adway
Mercy Hospital |
Amanda Lovan
Stirling Soap Co/Stirling Roastery |
Corina Rogers
Rogers Heating & Air Conditioning |
Stephanie Simon
Mosquito Joe's/Wonderly Lights |
Josh Wootton
Guns Galore & More |
history
Main Street Paris began at the suggestion of a local business owner. Director of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce, Tonya Fletcher, learned all she could about Main Street Arkansas and decided the program's benefits and resources would be a perfect fit for Paris.
Mrs. Fletcher invested many hours to recruit a dedicated team, complete the application requirements and travel to Little Rock to make the case for adding Paris to their roster. It was a proud day in 2016 when the city was approved as a Downtown Network!
Mrs. Fletcher invested many hours to recruit a dedicated team, complete the application requirements and travel to Little Rock to make the case for adding Paris to their roster. It was a proud day in 2016 when the city was approved as a Downtown Network!
Paris volunteers on their way to present their case for becoming a Main Street program.
Tonya continued to lead and build the network until 2020. During that time she secured the financial support and legal responsibilities to move Main Street Paris into its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
She then joined the Main Street Paris Board of Directors and served on the panel to select an Executive Director to carry on the mission. Mrs. Fletcher's board term wrapped in January 2023. In reflection, Tonya had this to say:
She then joined the Main Street Paris Board of Directors and served on the panel to select an Executive Director to carry on the mission. Mrs. Fletcher's board term wrapped in January 2023. In reflection, Tonya had this to say:
Today, Main Street Paris has an amazing Executive Director and a board and city that supports the work being done, and it was an honor and a privilege to serve alongside these great leaders. Downtown is thriving in large part to the Main Street Paris program."
Tonya Fletcher is sitting front and center holding the pink portfolio. This photo was taken during her last board meeting with Main Street Paris.
