PARTNERSHIPS PROGRESS=PARAGOULD

Nonprofits, economic development groups and the city work together.

BY MIRANDA REYNOLDS

The GIN (Generating Innovative Network)

Farmers’ Market Few places have the power to steal your heart away from your hometown, but Paragould took mine and ran with it! When I arrived here roughly a year ago, I immediately felt welcome. The residents of this friendly city share a sense of pride in their community and its history.

It all began in 1882 when J.W. Paramore and Jay Gould’s railroad paths crossed here. An amalgamation of their surnames created Paragould — hence our tagline, the “one and only.” It’s a point of pride that no other town in the world has this unique origin story.

You could say that this spirit of unity has been part of Paragould from the start — and it continues today. The municipalities of the 21st century work together effortlessly. Look no further than the Community Pavilion to see partnership at work. When it became evident that our Farmers’ Market was becoming wildly successful, the Paragould City Council and Greene County Quorum Court worked together to fund a new Community Pavilion in downtown Paragould. The Community Pavilion, scheduled to open by the end of 2022, will house the Farmers’ Market among other venues. Talk about progress! But it doesn’t stop there.

The Economic Development Corporation of Paragould bought four underutilized properties downtown to create the GIN (Generating Innovative Networks) to boost our economy. It will be a shared workspace, innovation center and small business incubator all made possible by the Economic Development Corporation of Paragould. The location of the GIN spurred future development on that block, and we will soon cut the ribbon on two new restaurants set to open right across the street.

No matter where you live, preserving the past is paramount. During the construction process, the storefronts and buildings themselves will be renovated with an eye toward historic preservation, and the Community Pavilion’s new construction will look similar to the existing power plant to its north. We think of it as tasteful progress.

LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE COMMUNITY PAVILION TO SEE PARTNERSHIP AT WORK. WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT OUR FARMERS’ MARKET WAS BECOMING WILDLY SUCCESSFUL, THE PARAGOULD CITY COUNCIL AND GREENE COUNTY QUORUM COURT WORKED TOGETHER TO FUND A NEW COMMUNITY PAVILION IN DOWNTOWN PARAGOULD.

The city council continuously allocates funds in each year’s budget for economic development in downtown Paragould. Main Street Paragould is a nonprofit organization focused on economic development and historic preservation in downtown. This year’s allocation will be used to enhance lighting, recycling and sanitation, and street signage.

We can see the economic development unfolding from MSP’s office, housed in the iconic red train caboose. Through our window, we can watch the Community Pavilion being built. We can see the pedestrians entering our small businesses and exiting with full smiles and full bags of merchandise. People feel safe walking our sidewalks. Joggers and runners are common sights. A vibrant downtown is the lifeblood of a community, and we’re witnessing ours come to life.

Paragould’s success also comes from civic groups working together. The city of Paragould and the Greene County Future Fund secured over $700,000 for the 8 Mile Creek Trail project. This trail will connect our parks to downtown.

The only way this progress can happen is by working together. Mayor Josh Agee and Chamber of Commerce CEO and EDC Director Allison Hestand regularly convene to ensure their offices can meet goals. And as the MSP executive director, I row in the same direction, meeting weekly with the Chamber of Commerce so we can help one another.

Come see us, stay awhile and enjoy all we have to offer. Discover the many reasons why Paragould is the “one and only.”