Hope Lions Hear Hope Downtown Network Program from Beckie Moore

Hope Downtown Network Executive Director Beckie Moore brought a program to the Hope Lions on Monday (9-15).  She noted the downtown network is an associate member of Main Street Arkansas.  Moore said they follow the four tenants of Main Street…design, organization, promotion, and economic vitality.  The Hope Downtown Network also receives funding from Main Street.  In 2025, they received $7,000 in “Downtown Revitalization Funds”.  Next year they will receive $12,000.  These DTR funds have been used for mini-grants to downtown businesses for improvements.

Moore noted the downtown network is currently renovating a building at 109 South Main.  This will serve as her office and also as a “retail incubator”.  The building will have space for about 12 businesses to have booths to start their operations.  Hopefully, as these businesses grow, they’ll move into their own building and allow more businesses to incubate in the building.  Moore says about $50,000 is needed to finish the building and they have applied for grants to help towards this end.

Moore told the Lions about the 3rd annual “Tase of Hope”.  The event is set for October 4th from 6pm to 8:30pm.  The theme is “Oh, the Places We Will Go” and will be held on Main Street downtown.  There will be tastings from local restaurants and eateries.  Events include a “fund-a-project” vote, silent & live auctions, local gift-card bingo games, chalk art fun, photo ops, face painting, “a thing or two” in the HDN building, a “paint-by-number” mural, and a showing of the Dr. Suess movie “The Lorax” in the pocket park.  Tickets for the Taste of Hope are $25 for adults, $10 for children 10 to 15, and free for kids under 10.  You can see Moore or any downtown network member to arrange for tickets.