(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.)
Tourism Development/Creative Culture
Honorable Mention • Over 20,000
Population: 29,537 | Mayor: Josh Agee | County: Greene | Region: Northeast
The Challenge
Since 2001, the Paragould Farmers’ Market has attracted visitors. In 2018, the market moved closer to the Main Street Downtown District, but before long, the city council saw the need to house it in a more permanent structure. City leaders envisioned a space not only capable of housing the market but for community events as well. However, once the bid was out, it was above the projected budget the city had set aside.
When unexpected weather rolled in during the 2023 Downtown After Hours event, the Community Pavilion saved the day, housing the musicians and attendees and allowing them to soak up the rest of the event.
The Solution
The mayor and county judge decided to form a partnership, creating the Community Pavilion. The agreement reached between the city and county named Paragould as the owner of the facility and responsible for the operation, care and maintenance of the pavilion. The city’s 2023 Farmers’ Market opening day saw 58 vendors and over 2,000 shoppers instead of its average of 48 vendors and 1,425 shoppers.
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