Program Director reflects on last four years as she says good-bye

Over the past four years, I have been blessed to be a part of El Dorado Main Street.  I have been able to work with hundreds of volunteers, who choose to put their time and resources in helping the community.  I have worked with countless business and property owners who have invested their money and futures in downtown El Dorado.  We have reached goals that everyone thought was impossible by moving forward and taking risks.  These have led to great successes like the HOPE VI Main Street project, where despite federal budget cuts and a reduction of awards, El Dorado Main Street and City of El Dorado was awarded the one and only HOPE VI Main Street grant in the country.  We worked with City staff to recommend and adopt the International Existing Building Codes, which are now helping the owners of downtown properties rehabilitate their building with greater ease and allowing grey areas and more conversations about codes to assist with the completion of these difficult projects. 

I have been able to work with an amazing team of people who organize the biggest annual event in Butler County each summer.  The Frontier Western Celebration has proven to bring in visitors from surrounding communities and states.  Downtown businesses see a summer sales peak each year as a result of the festival and community residents have an event that they can be proud of.  The volunteers who are a part of this event are like none that I have ever encountered.  Working countless hours, months in advance to provide this event; their passion is unmatched. 

As I reflect on four great years as the El Dorado Main Street Director, I am reluctant to announce that I will be moving on to a new passion and job opportunity.  The El Dorado Main Street Board of Directors is moving forward to find a new program director and will continue the progress that has occurred over the past years.   As the organization looks forward to 2013, a goal planning session will be held on November 13 at 5:30 where committees, business owners, and volunteers will identify goals and plans for the new year.  If you have a passion for downtown El Dorado and our community, I encourage you to attend this strategic planning session at the train depot next Thursday. 

In the meantime, an interim director  will be in the office until a permanent director is hired.  El Dorado Main Street will continue to be a leading organization in this community and move forward in strengthening the downtown and the businesses within.  I am excited to again be a volunteer for this amazing organization, which is how I began my involvement many years ago.  I will always have a passion for this community and I know how very important downtown El Dorado, the business/property owners, and volunteers are to the future of El Dorado.    - Lindsay Mills