Hope Downtown Network recognized the volunteers, property owners and business partners whose work has helped transform historic downtown Hope Thursday evening and announced another year of state support for the effort with a $12,000 grant from Main Street Arkansas.

The annual meeting at The Studio celebrated the organization's completion of its first year as an associate-level Main Street Arkansas community while recognizing the people who have helped build momentum for downtown revitalization. Representatives of Main Street Arkansas also presented the new grant, which will be used to continue Hope Downtown Network's downtown improvement efforts.

Brentwood Industries received the Community Partnership Award for collaborating with Hope Downtown Network on downtown projects while contributing both financial support and volunteer assistance to the organization's mission.

John and Sharon Caldwell received the Preservation and Progress Award in recognition of restoring and reinvesting in one of downtown Hope's historic buildings, which now is Tailgaters’ Burger Co. Throughout the evening, several speakers pointed to the Caldwells' work as an early example that demonstrated historic downtown buildings could once again become successful investments.

Tommy and Carol Neff were recognized as Volunteers of the Year for their willingness to tackle virtually every kind of project, from cleanup days and painting to project management and behind-the-scenes work that has helped downtown events and beautification projects succeed.

Hope Downtown Network Executive Director Beckie Moore also noted that another award recipient was unable to attend because of travel and will receive the honor during a future board meeting.

The evening's other major announcement came from Main Street Arkansas Director Greg Phillips and Program Coordinator Mark Miller, who congratulated Hope Downtown Network on completing its first associate-level year and presented the organization with a new $12,000 grant through Main Street Arkansas, a program of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

The grant continues the state's investment in Hope's downtown revitalization efforts after a year in which the organization expanded cleanup projects, completed Checkerboard Alley, opened its retail business incubator, strengthened partnerships with local organizations and increased community investment in its mission.

"It's hard to believe we have been through our first associate-level year," Moore said in welcoming those attending. "We could not have made one foot forward without all of you in this room. So we're so thankful you're here to celebrate with us."

Following the invocation by Mark Ross, outgoing board president Steve Harris welcomed guests, introduced the incoming officers and directors and thanked board members and volunteers for the work they contributed during the past year. Business owner Rick Fisher has been chosen as the next board president.

"This has been a wonderful year for me because this is a hardworking board, and everybody pitches in and does their part," Harris said. "I want to also thank Beckie for being so organized and keeping the train on track."

Moore then invited several community leaders to answer a central question. "What does downtown revitalization mean to you?"

State Sen. Steve Crowell answered first. "None of us are going to be here when everybody enjoys what we did," Crowell said. "We have a great community here that is doing everything for the future, and they're selfless, and they're doing exactly what they need to, and they will never get to see the fruits of their labor. But our children and our grandchildren."

State Rep. Dolly Henley said downtown revitalization means preserving what previous generations built, partnering with others, creating opportunities to prosper and continuing to grow.

"Preservation is not new in Hope," Henley said. "We just need to get on track and get that momentum going and stay to get it going."

Mayor Don Still recalled when downtown served as the center of commerce in Hope and credited John and Sharon Caldwell with proving historic buildings could again become productive investments.

"They started the ball rolling," Still said. "We used to drive by when they were working on that building. We said that'd never work, and they proved everybody wrong."

Still said he now enjoys seeing downtown filled with activity. "Downtown is the heartbeat of a town," he said. "It's so neat for me to drive down Main Street on a Saturday morning and say, 'Look, I can't hardly find a parking place.' The hard work of the Downtown Network is what's kept this thing going and getting these new businesses down here."

Hope Public Schools Superintendent Jonathan Crossley said a vibrant downtown helps convince young people that Hope is a community worth returning to after college. "I want our students to grow up in a community with a revitalized downtown, a vibrant downtown," Crossley said. "I want our kids to love Hope as a place that they actually call home for longer than 18 years. I want it to be a place where they want to come back."

Crossley said downtown is an important complement to investments being made in education, health care and industry. "We are a strong community, but without a vibrant downtown, what are we saying about the community that we live in?" he said.

Debbie Malek reflected on growing up when downtown Hope served as the center of shopping, entertainment and daily life. "My first thought is very selfish," she said. "I want as many things downtown for people to come and do and buy and shop as there are on North Hervey or South Main."

She also encouraged continued beautification efforts, residential development and expanded use of the Cairo & Fulton Depot as a cultural center.

Following a video highlighting Hope Downtown Network's accomplishments, Harris introduced Phillips and Miller of Main Street Arkansas.

Phillips said Hope's progress is the result of patient, consistent effort. "Everything that you have talked about or that you've seen on the video, it didn't happen by accident, and it didn't happen overnight," Phillips said. "It's the result of steady, patient effort, and it really shows."

After touring downtown before the meeting, Phillips said he and Miller were impressed by the momentum Hope has built. "The momentum that you've built is real," he said. "The building stock that you have here is worth protecting."

Phillips praised Checkerboard Alley, plans for a retail business incubator, Hope's successful investment campaign and the organization's growing network of partnerships before reminding volunteers that downtown revitalization requires persistence.

"Our downtowns did not get into the condition that they are overnight, and so they don't become revitalized overnight," he said.

Quoting a longtime Main Street director, Phillips added, "Downtown revitalization is a race without a finish line."

He also emphasized the importance of downtown in attracting new employers. "When companies and industries are deciding where to locate and where to ask their employees to live, they look at downtown," Phillips said. "A thriving, vibrant downtown is central to a community's quality of life."

Miller praised Hope Downtown Network's accomplishments and presented the organization's new $12,000 grant. "I'm really impressed by everything this organization has accomplished, especially how they improve quality of life in the community," Miller said.

He said Hope has become one of the state's best examples of using Main Street mini-grants to assist downtown businesses.

"I hope you continue to use that money for mini grants to local businesses because you have, out of the 42 communities I deal with, done a better job of using that money to really help the downtown businesses," Miller said.

He encouraged the organization to continue supporting entrepreneurs while thinking about larger collaborative projects. "Think big," Miller said. "Think about a larger project. You can maybe partner with other community organizations to make a bigger impact with that money."

Moore thanked the Main Street Arkansas staff for their support throughout Hope Downtown Network's first year as an associate-level program before recognizing additional volunteers who helped organize the annual meeting.

Twyla Pruden concluded the program by reading an anonymous poem titled "Together We Build," ending with the reminder, "Together we are revitalizing downtown. We are strengthening community, and together we're building an exciting future … Thank you for believing in historic downtown Hope. The best is yet to come."