Depiction of the new Fort Curtis destination sign.

The May 11^th dedication of Fort Curtis, the replica Union fort located in downtown Helena, will mark the first in a series of events launching the Civil War Helena tourism initiative and commemorating the Battle of Helena. In 2013, Helena will be the focus of Arkansas’ Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration, positioning Helena to draw both regional and national attention to its unique and multi-faceted story.

The block-long reproduction of Fort Curtis completed at the corner of York and Columbia streets is the largest of its kind in the region. The structure and the accompanying interpretive signage recall the human stories of those affected by the city’s occupation by Federal troops from July 1862 through the Civil War’s end in 1865 and the Confederacy’s failed attempt on July 4, 1863 to return the city to Southern control. Members of the Helena community have worked to develop the fort and more than 27 other Civil War sites, with the hope that this initiative will act as a catalyst for economic growth through increased tourism.

The May 11 event will include local and state officials, historians, re-enactors, and numerous civic leaders and community residents focused on building the area’s future by promoting its heritage. Other Civil War Helena events slated for 2012 include the opening of Freedom Park, the first official “Network to Freedom” Underground Railroad site in Arkansas.  Both Fort Curtis and Freedom Park will be managed by the Delta Cultural Center upon completion.

Last year's market at Court Square Park.

Saturday, June 9, marks the opening day of the 2012 Helena Farmers Market. This year the market will be launching several exciting updates and additions. Last year, Main Street Helena received two grants on behalf of the market: a $39,215 USDA Farmers Market Promotion Grant and a $6,000 Arkansas Community Foundation Grant. With this support Main Street Helena has hired a part-time market manager who will provide more robust program support and leadership. Additionally, the market has worked with Thrive through their Design Measures program to develop new signage and marketing materials to expand the market’s reach.

Potentially the most impactful improvement to the market will be the addition of equipment necessary to accept EBT and SNAP benefits. Market leadership is developing a token system that will allow residents receiving benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from market vendors. This development will significantly expand healthy eating options for downtown residents, with the closest grocery store located almost two miles from downtown.  

Some of the adult volunteers stand by the trash collected

The Phillips County 4-H Program hosted a Downtown Helena Community Clean-Up event on March 31, in partnership with the University Of Arkansas Division Of Agriculture-Phillips County, Main Street Helena, the Delta Bridge Project, and the statewide Great American Cleanup and Keep Arkansas Beautiful programs. Eighty volunteer participants from throughout the community joined together to beautify the downtown area.  Volunteers picked up trash, cleaned windows, cleared out several storefronts, and planted flowers.

The Isle of Capri Casino received an award for contributing the most volunteer hours to the event, with strong participation also seen by the PCCUA Student Success Club, the Boys and Girls Club, and Cub Scout Pack 113. The coordinators and sponsors of the cleanup were pleased to see such a strong showing of community support.

The clean-up was coordinated in anticipation of the upcoming season of downtown festivals and events, starting with the April 14^th Live on the Levee concert. Another cleanup event is planned for early fall, in preparation for the King Biscuit Blues Festival.

Below is an update on recent grant activity in support of the 10-year Strategic Community Plan:

Grants received:

• The Delta Bridge Project approved a $38,600 Civic Leadership grant to the Phillips County Chamber of Commerce.
• Two Delta Bridge Project Grants totaling more than $600,000 were awarded in support of two anchor Civil War sites. Funds will go towards the phase two of construction of the replica Union Fort Curtis as well as for the construction of Freedom Park, the first official Underground Railroad site in Arkansas.
• The City of Helena received a $67,560 Recreational Facilities grant from the Department of Rural Services in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. This grant will extend the existing boat ramp to ensure that the entire 60 foot ramp is accessible throughout the year, solidifying Helena’s position as one of the best public access points to the lower Mississippi River.

Grants submitted:

• A Delta Bridge Project grant was submitted to fund two feasibility studies analyzing the viability of expanding the local biodiesel and alternative energy industry.
• A Delta Bridge Project grant was submitted on behalf of the Helena-West Helena Police Department to provide a computer-based tracking and reporting system and process consulting.

Fort Curtis - Phase 1 Construction

The Civil War Helena tourism initiative made significant progress in 2011. In addition to completing the Phase One construction of Fort Curtis, local partners solidified plans for Freedom Park, began work on the Civil War Helena website, and created more than a dozen additional interpretive panels.

Fort Curtis will be one of the key destination attractions for Civil War Helena, serving as the only replica fort of its kind in the region.  Phase One development included construction of the fort’s earthen walls, gun platforms, and sodding of the site. Phase Two development is slated for completion by this summer and will include an imitation well, flagpole, tents, replica guns, parking, and exterior lighting and landscaping.  

Freedom Park will serve as another destination attraction for Civil War Helena.  Plans were finalized for this self-guided interpretive park, which has already been designated as the first official Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site in Arkansas.   Both Freedom Park and Fort Curtis will be operated by the Delta Cultural Center.

The Helena Museum of Phillips County and Phillips County Library saw the installation of several Civil War interpretive panels. Additional signs, statues, and exhibits will be fabricated and installed throughout 2012.

Local tourism leaders are working to bring the key Civil War Helena attractions online by 2013, the year in which the State Sesquicentennial Commission will focus on the Battle of Helena.  The initiative is projected to attract 61,000 visitors by 2019, leading to the creation of at least 44 tourism-supported jobs.  Keep an eye out for new developments in and around the downtown in the coming months.

New HEC Office Under Construction

Terrance Clark and Will Staley, Co-Directors of the Helena Entrepreneur Center (HEC), have had a busy 2011. To date, HEC has conducted three 10-week seminars with 16 participants. Participants include Shelley Haynes King and Daniel Strickland. Shelly has developed a specialty sanding tool and Daniel is interested in running a local bed and breakfast. Their latest round of classes began January 26^th; this class is their largest yet with 15 participants enrolled.

Additionally, Terrance has been working with Phillips Community College to oversee the construction of the program’s new 3,500 square foot office space on Ohio St. The space is one of the many benefits provided to HEC clients. Construction should be complete by mid-February, so look for a ribbon cutting announcement coming soon.

For more information about the Helena Entrepreneur Center, please visit: www.helenastartup.org.

The program is focused on generating the following positive impacts for the business community through a variety of strategies:

• Increasing revenues of local businesses
• Increasing access to capital and credit
• Lowering the cost of doing business
• Improving the quality of the retail experience
• Improving the quality of the available workforce
• Connecting more quickly to the true priorities and needs of members
• Insuring maximal effectiveness through a monthly business e-newsletter

To learn more specifically about the Chamber’s BR&E Goals and how they plan to create the impacts listed above, visit http://www.phillipscountychamber.org/documents/BRE_Overview_Summer2011_CURRENT.pdf

The trail will connect with the nearby National Forest.

In mid-October the Delta Bridge Project began working with the community to develop a Trails and Greenways Master Plan (Tourism Goal 7, Action Step A). Funded by a $105,130 Delta Bridge Project grant, the plan will outline the design of a trails and greenways system that will physically connect Helena’s tourism features, including key Civil War Helena sites, Historic Downtown, and Helena River Park. The firm leading the project, Alta Planning & Design, is the same group leading the development of the regional trails system in northwest Arkansas.

Once the plan is complete, the construction of the trail project will be broken up into several phases. Phase One will be a two-mile stretch connecting the Civil War Helena anchor sites of Fort Curtis, Estevan Hall and Freedom Park with the downtown. Completion of this phase is targeted for 2013.

The Education Goal Team and the Chamber’s Education Committee are working in coordination to increase community engagement in local schools. Lynn Chadwick, Chair of the Chamber’s Education Committee, has worked with community members to launch the Arkansas Scholars program. This statewide program focuses on promoting student achievement by recognizing students for meeting specific academic criteria. The program includes regular student incentives and school visits by business and community leaders.

Over the course of this school year, Goal Team members will focus on supporting further opportunities for parent and community engagement, as well as efforts aligned with increasing the number of students who enroll and complete post-secondary programs. For more information about getting involved in local education, please contact Lynn Chadwick (lynn_chadwick2898@yahoo.com) or Julia Nordsieck (jnordsieck@banksouthern.org).