The Jonesboro Downtown Development Authority (“Authority”) is a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Jonesboro City Council to serve as advocates and advisors to the Council on issues related to economic growth and development in Downtown Jonesboro. The Authority works to attract business to the Downtown area and provides technical support to assure that existing businesses achieve their full potential. The Authority actively markets the City of Jonesboro and works to strengthen the small town character of the community. The Authority works with its partners at Jonesboro City Hall and within the Jonesboro business community to provide a bridge between the business and residential communities for the benefit of the entire City of Jonesboro.

The Authority’s program is modeled after the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s successful national Main Street approach (www.mainst.org). The Main Street approach provides a comprehensive approach to the economic revitalization of the historic commercial center of a community. While based upon a commitment to the preservation of historic commercial buildings, the Main Street approach is as much about preserving a strong sense of community as it is about preserving buildings. Main Street is based on four central program elements that form the basis for the Jonesboro Downtown development/revitalization process.