Mena Showcased to Winrock International

BY LEANN DILBECK –

Mena was recently showcased as well as a case study presented to 28 participants of Winrock International’s Non-Profit Improvement Program as part of a “Regionalism and Partnership Building Program Capacity Building Tour.” The participants represented 12 rural communities across Arkansas.

Winrock International, while an international organization, is rooted in Arkansas and was a vision of Winthrop A. Rockefeller’s while on his ranch on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrillton.   The specific program that came to Mena is responsible for facilitating $28 million in state, federal, and private sources for 50 different municipalities and non-profit organizations.

Winrock International believes in the power of knowledge to change lives. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world. Winrock program teams blend expertise in agriculture, forestry and natural resource management, clean water and energy, leadership development and capacity building to achieve sustainable and equitable economic development in over 60 countries. Combined with Winrock’s innovative project design and implementation, the dedication and experience of our people fulfills a passionate commitment to improving lives and livelihoods worldwide.

Program Associate Sydney Pack said that she was interested in coming to Mena, specifically, because of the strength Mena demonstrated as a community following the 2009 tornado. Also facilitating the tour was Mena’s own Regina Walker, who is a contractor with Winrock through her consulting firm, New Direction. Regina expressed what a joy it was to showcase her own hometown.

The two-day tour included participating in an Arkansas Regional Coalition of the Ouachitas (ARCO) meeting, attending the Ouachita Little Theatre, touring the local hospital as well as the arts community located on North Mena Street which included American Artisans and the Mena Art Gallery. Participants were also able to hear from the “on-the-ground” team immediately following the 2009 tornado. Serving on the panel were: Teresa Smith, Southwest Coordinator Arkansas Department of Emergency Management; James Reeves, Polk County Office of Emergency Management; John Puckett, Fire Chief; James Earl Turner, former City Council member; Sgt. Delores Hutcheson, Mena Police Department and community volunteer; Nan Lee, Construction Contractor and part-time disaster administrative coordinator/site monitor for the City of Mena; Lori Harrison, Chair of the Polk County Long-Term Recovery Committee.

Pack said, “Mena is a great example of a creative economy. I was particularly impressed with the entire arts community located in your downtown corridor…it represented local, state and even national artists.”

Pack went on to commend the community in its recovery and said it was a testament to the local people who “came together, worked together, and made it even more than it was before. I couldn’t even tell certain areas we toured had ever been destroyed by a natural disaster. You not only restored normal…it’s normal plus…you reinvented yourselves…it’s just outstanding.” Pack said she enjoyed hearing from the panel in how they dealt with the emotions of the devastation while still having to function in their strategic roles.

She said she was confident that participants left recognizing many plans and policies that needed to be implemented in their communities.

Walker said it was an honor to showcase her hometown community and expressed her sincere appreciation to all the restaurants, theatre, hospital, college, art gallery, ARCO and the panel for assisting her with the tour. “Everyone involved went above and beyond to demonstrate what makes Mena one of the finest communities in Arkansas.”

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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