December 14 Update
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Spotlight on Leadership
Every focused advocacy group needs strong leadership, and HAMMRC has benefitted from strong, stable leadership since its inception two years ago. As mayor of the first City to join HAMMRC, Mayor Ernie Penn of Farmington grasped the high potential value of medical manufacturing to his community early on and led his City Council to a vote of confidence in late 2021.
Steve Clark, Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce president, presented a print called "Red Lady" by Native American artist, Troy Anderson, to Ernie Penn for his dedication to the HAMMRC initiative during the Farmington City Council meeting Monday night, Dec. 11. The cardinals in the print are a revered symbol for the Cherokee Nation, and also the Farmington athletics team mascot!
Because of his insight into economic development and his standing among the community leaders in cities along Highway 62, Mayor Penn was asked to take the Chair position of the Board of Directors of the fledgling HAMMRC project; he took his position in January of 2022, and was re-elected in 2023. The Mayor took seriously the promise of “a seat at the table” of decision-making for HAMMRC, and demonstrated the hands-on leadership needed by personally conducting tours of potential sites in Farmington for our first manufacturing prospect. In addition, he gave strong input to the Mayors of nearby cities as they were asked to consider membership. He will continue to serve the Board as “Past Chair.”
Brian Hail's first-hand knowledge of the healthcare industry and the economic development goals of Northeast Oklahoma led to Brian's appointment as the voting representative of the Cherokee Nation when they joined HAMMRC in 2022. The Principal Chief’s immediate and enthusiastic endorsement of the potential value of HAMMRC has been seen in speeches and published articles. Brian joined the HAMMRC leadership team in a trip to Washington, DC for personal contacts with Arkansas and Oklahoma members of Congress. He has been elected as Board Chair for 2024, and will be installed at the Jan. 12 Board meeting in Tahlequah.
Save the date
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024
HAMMRC Board Meeting
Outpatient Health Services
19600 E Ross
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Community Development: Our Downtown
By Mark S. Goodman, CEcD
Taking care of our downtown can have a large impact on how our community is viewed by citizens, visitors and prospective employers and residents alike.
We all recognize the importance of taking care of our communities as the “product” that we promote as a great place to live, work and play. What we do to prepare our communities to be those “great places” is Community Development. While there are many facets of community development, in this issue we will discuss our downtowns, what a downtown enhancement or revitalization program is, and why such programs are important to successful community economic development.
What are Downtown Enhancement and Revitalization Programs?
Nationwide and for decades, communities have struggled to create and maintain economic viability in their downtowns. First, changing market forces have created headwinds for many communities as larger regional centers have captured a larger regional retail market share over time. More recently, offerings from online shopping have also impacted the competitiveness of local brick and mortar businesses. As a result of these and other factors, the composition of businesses in downtowns has dramatically changed for many communities over the last several decades, and many communities subsequently saw their downtowns give up their central purpose(s) as a destination for community activity and a representation of the community’s identity.
More recently across the country, communities are reclaiming their “central business districts” as a destination again. New activity may include traditional small business development, festivals, community gatherings, housing, tourism-related business, along with other programming which may be a departure from its original economic purpose. Success may look different in each community, but what they all share is a re-directed focus on downtown as a focal point.
Downtown revitalization is described as enhancing the social, political, physical, and economic value of the traditional central business district of a community. This is achieved by attracting social activities, entertainment, recreation, shopping and employment to the district. Successful downtown revitalization efforts require methodical and organized measures, a plan, and the support of the community. When they succeed, the benefits will be realized throughout the entire community.
Some of the most recognizable and basic downtown revitalization activities include such things as:
Organizing people who have a special interest in the district;
Planning for land use and physical appearance improvements for both public and privately-owned property;
Restructuring the downtown retail and commercial economy, including strategic business development programs with the data and analysis to inform those efforts; and
Sponsoring special events and celebrations to increase visitor and customer traffic in the downtown.
Impact of Downtown Revitalization to the Community
Successful downtown revitalization programming can improve a community’s future both directly and indirectly. Revitalization ultimately creates jobs and opportunity through: 1) improving the image of the community and preventing blight and abandonment of properties; 2) developing a sense of community, encouraging citizen engagement; 3) preserving the community’s history and character; 4) making use of existing buildings, while providing for varied retail and service options; and 5) expanding the tax base and reducing retail leakage from a community.
Downtown revitalization is the focus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Trust Main Street Center. In both of our states, we are fortunate to have Main Street associations. The intent of Main Street programs is to improve the economic well-being of the traditional business districts. The programs focus on four main points: 1) organization; 2) promotion; 3) design; and 4) economic restructuring. All four activities benefit from planning and must be integrated to realize success. For more information about the Arkansas and Oklahoma Main Street Associations, visit their websites at: Arkansas and Oklahoma
With planning and foresight, our mainstreets don't have to look like a ghost town!
The NWA/CDI Connection
Several Northwest Arkansas community leaders were selected to attend the highly-regarded Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. These leaders attended the Year 1 session in 2023 and will return for Years Two and Three. In our last issue Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins shared his feedback; recently I asked Prairie Grove Mayor David Faulk to summarize his impressions and take-aways from Year 1.
“Year one of Community Development Institute marked the beginning of a 4-year journey into the educational front page of Community Development. It is designed to be a broad paint brush rather than a deep drive into the growth and development of the community life in our local Municipalities. I took many items and ideas back to Prairie Grove with me. Amongst smaller activities that allowed us to experience life from the viewpoint of someone else, diversity and inclusion were at the top of the list of the instructions provided.
The connections that were made with other leaders from around the State of Arkansas are priceless but the relationships with my local colleagues started a bond that continues to grow today. The President of the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Taryn Golden also attended C.D.I. Mrs. Golden and I have been meeting regularly to acclimate the resources we gained in class. I have used this opportunity with My friend and neighboring Mayor Troy Reed of Elkins to compare insight and find the moments within our jobs to encourage and mentor each other. My relationship with the County Judge Patrick Deakins has also grown in respect and understanding. This comes from the ability to work together on the tough decisions that involve both the City of Prairie Grove and Washington County. I truly believe the connection that the Honorable Judge and I created allows an open line of communication that will assist our communities for years to come. So, whether it’s emails with Mayor Nathan See of Pea Ridge or lunch meetings with Ezekiel from Fayetteville/Elkins, the relationships we built will bring value yet seen.
You can clearly see what I believe my time in C.D.I. profited. It’s relationships and this is why that word is so important. If you asked your spouse, your neighbor, or a friend to define the word “community”. I believe either in a short sentence or through a long response, somewhere in their answer the word “relationship” would be found. We can get busy as leaders yet we cannot develop a community with building strong relationships.”
Mayor David Faulk