L to R - John Hollis, Estela Santiago, Marcos Santiago, and Stefani Espinoza.  Grant recipients not represented: Steve Harris, Bob Erwin, and Mark Ross

PRESS RELEASE

by John Hollis

Hope, Arkansas, Main Street Arkansas and Hope Downtown Network (HDN) provided funds for the latest round of HDN Mini Grants that focus on restoration and preservation of downtown businesses.  Grant funds will allow recipients to make internal and external improvements. The HDN Mini Grants are reimbursable grants for work projects completed, so the community will soon see progress being made as the recipients begin working on their stated projects.

Combining funds allowed Hope Downtown Network to offer two funding opportunities. Three (3) $1,000 grants and five (5) $500 grants have been awarded to the following:

• Marcos Santiago & Estela Santiago, Dos Caminos Bakery

• Steve Harris, Brundidge Building

• Bob Erwin, Bob’s Antiques

• Mark Ross, SWARK.Today

• Chris & Stefani Espinoza, Espinoza Professional Services, LLC

John Hollis, President of the Hope Downtown Network board stated, “Downtown is what provides Hope with a sense of community and place. The Hope Downtown Network is thrilled to work with Main Street Arkansas to bring improvements to downtown Hope.”

Main Street Arkansas works to strengthen and preserve historic downtowns and Main Street districts across the state.  It provides technical assistance, resources, and ongoing education to local programs to help them implement and excel in the Main Street Four-Point Approach creating a vivid and vital sense of place.  Hope Downtown Network became an Arkansas Downtown network program in 2018.