Rector officials learned Monday that the city has been accepted into the Arkansas Downtown Network program, a division of Main Street Arkansas.

The designation came following a highly-competitive process that included eight other communities across the state, all but one larger than Rector.

Community development director Cyndi Corkran and Mayor Ron Kemp made the final presentation Wednesday of last week in front of a panel of judges that included both state and regional Main Street leaders. Accompanying them was ADN steering committee member Nancy Kemp.

The presentation was the final step in a detailed application process the city has been working on for several months. Included in the application was the formation of a steering committee that also includes David Freeman, Diane Freeman, Richard Earls, Jessica Earls, Glenn Leach, Todd Watson. Teresa Sain, Nancy Kemp

"The applications and presentation were extremely strong," Main Street Arkansas director Cary Tyson said in a letter to Corkran. "In fact, they were so strong our panel had a difficult time eliminating anyone."

Each successful applicant now must send four representatives to a two-day training session May 6-7 in North Little Rock. Following completion of the training, the ADN staff will begin working with Rector on downtown renovation and revitalization efforts and business consultations. The goal is a more vibrant and economically-viable downtown area.

"I am thrilled for our community to have been chosen for the Arkansas Downtown Network and thankful to everyone who worked so hard to make it a reality," Corkran said. "The real work is just beginning with so much to learn about how to make a wonderful town even better.

"Economic development and historic renovation are paramount to our survival and prosperity. Rector is so fortunate to be the home of so many wonderful, caring and conscientious people, who will continue the work, enabling her success."

The Rector City Council approved application for the ADN program and committed the resources to help make it successful. The program will be reviewed periodically by the council to assess its progress.

"It is really an honor for Rector to be chosen for the program, considering the level of competition this year," mayor Kemp said. "There is no question the enthusiasm and commitment that Cyndi Corkran has for this work came through in the presentation and was a key factor in being selected.

"I want to thank all the committee members for their hard work so far and especially David Freeman, who helped coordinate the computer part of the presentation. I believe we will look back on this designation as a very positive step for Rector and we expect it to lead to additional development for our community."