Main Street Program

Restoring and Preserving a Way of Life

The City of Batesville began participation in the Mississippi Main Street Program in 1998 under the direction of the Panola Partnership, Inc.  Colleen Clark, Batesville’s Main Street Manager, works with dozens of volunteers throughout the community to help spearhead new restorations and to continue existing revitalization efforts in the downtown area. Some of the program’s specific projects have included an outdoor mural program, a National Register of Historic Places district nomination, the implementation of economic and design incentives for property owners, the establishment and maintenance of the City of Batesville’s Memorial Park, and the design and installation of directional signage to the downtown area.

In addition to working on physical enhancements to downtown, the Main Street Program sponsors several special events, which are celebrated by thousands of people each year. These include SpringFest, an annual music festival held in May; the Holiday Open House; and a series of regularly scheduled Art Shows.

The Main Street Program’s ultimate mission is to improve all aspects of the downtown and central business districts with emphasis on economic management and the strengthening of public interest and participation.  Making downtown a fun place to visit is just as critical to Main Street’s future as recruiting new businesses and rehabilitating physical structures and facilities. Building on downtown’s inherent assets – rich architecture, personal service, traditional values, and most importantly, enhancing its sense of place -  the Main Street approach has rekindled entrepreneurship, downtown cooperation, and civic pride. It has earned national recognition as a practical and effective strategy scaled to a community’s local resources. Very importantly, because it is a locally-driven program, all initiatives stem from the issues and concerns of the resident citizenry.

Marked improvements have been made in downtown Batesville since the inception of the Batesville Main Street Program. It has not only preserved historic landmarks and strengthened a sense of corporate community, it has restored and rejuvenated a way of life – when people knew their neighbors, when they shared mutual interests, and when they were quick to look after one and another’s needs.   

We invite you to visit downtown Batesville to enjoy the shopping with our local merchants, to attend the various special events - and to rediscover a warm and welcoming way of life. To learn more about the Main Street Program, please contact Colleen Clark at 662.563.3126.

The Batesville Main Street Program is a certified member of the Mississippi Main Street Association and accredited by the National Main Street Association.