about
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. |
main street america accreditation
Main Street Paris is designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™.
In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged 1,528,535 volunteer hours. On average, for every dollar that a Main Street program spent to support their operations, it generated $24.07 of new investment back into their downtown communities.
Collectively, 2 million people live or work within the boundaries of designated Main Street America districts. An estimated workforce of 1.1 million people contribute their skills and expertise to advancing the missions of these historic downtowns and commercial corridors.
The performance of Main Street Paris is annually evaluated by Main Street Arkansas, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To qualify for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
A complete press release detailing accreditation can be found below.
The performance of Main Street Paris is annually evaluated by Main Street Arkansas, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet rigorous national performance standards. To qualify for Accreditation status, communities must meet a set of rigorous standards that include commitments to building grassroots revitalization programs, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs, and actively preserving historic places, spaces, and cultural assets.
A complete press release detailing accreditation can be found below.
2022 Annual snapshot
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.
MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Heather Mayes
Main Street Paris Executive Director |
Travis Schluterman
Main Street Paris President First National Bank |
Danielle Barham
Main Street Paris Vice President Barham Balloons |
Jeanine Tencleve
Main Street Paris Treasurer Lawrence, Schluterman & Schwarts |
Danielle O'Bar
Main Street Paris Secretary Danielle's Salon |
Carla Engel
Immediate Past President Little Shoppes on the Square |
Ashley Denney
True Grit Grounds: Coffee & Tea |
Richard Scott
Self-Employed |
Will Fawcett
Cadence Insurance |
Andrea Walker
Mercy Hospital |
Jamie Varnell
Varnell Media |
