Downtown Bentonville, Inc. is the nonprofit entity focused on strengthening Bentonville’s urban core.
Whether providing vital business information to our members, advocating for comprehensive solutions and
developing innovative initiatives that address downtown related issues, or marketing the district to tourists and investors –
Downtown Bentonville, Inc. is the one-stop-shop for all things downtown.
We advocate a shared vision of Downtown Bentonville by:
- representing the collective voice of downtown stakeholders in the planning and development of downtown
- building collaborative partnerships that combine diverse interests into a comprehensive and inclusive downtown vision
- drawing resources and ideas together to solve problems and identify opportunities
We stimulate economic opportunities in Downtown Bentonville by:
- promoting downtown Bentonville as an excellent investment opportunity, increasing property and business values through
enhanced economic activity
- marketing downtown Bentonville as a unique destination to live, work, shop and invest through our website,
partnerships and publications
- focusing on issues to improve downtown infrastructure such as parking, wayfinding and signage, codes and ordinances
that strengthen the downtown experience
- coordinating with businesses and government to cultivate innovative downtown economic development incentives
We strengthen and cultivate a vibrant arts and entertainment downtown experience by:
- producing premiere community events that highlight downtown businesses and draw consumers to the district
- partnering with businesses, individuals and organizations to establish Downtown Bentonville as a regional creative epicenter
- serving as the one-stop-shop for all that’s happening in downtown
We are a community focused downtown association by:
- facilitating discussions on “hot topics” among downtown stakeholders to build solutions and opportunities based on consensus
- inviting members to participate in special committees and special task forces, providing a forum for members to be a part of
solutions and opportunities
- providing avenues for open dialogue to ensure all downtown stakeholders have a say in what goes on in downtown
Three Year DBI Vision
With the upcoming opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in 2010, Bentonville needs to be prepared for
international attention. Downtown Bentonville, Inc. is focused on growing downtown to ensure the district is ready to highlight
the best the city and region has to offer.
The Business Environment
By effectively leading downtown economic development efforts, DBI has become the point-of-contact organization that:
- Strengthens the citywide efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and City of Bentonville
- Enhances sales tax revenue for the City of Bentonville and the Advertising and Promotions Commission
- Partners with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to attract and expand tourism spending
- Participates in regional initiatives and conversations as an equal partner
- Leads local and statewide legislative initiatives that create innovative incentives for downtown investment
Infrastructure
DBI has implemented a comprehensive plan for strengthening downtown that includes environmental, social and economic considerations.
This would include, but is not limited to:
- A downtown access plan that includes multi-model transportation, wayfinding, signage, and parking
- Downtown zones, codes and ordinances that address the needs of existing downtown stakeholders and act as a recruitment
tool for new investors; and
- Empowering groups and individuals to participate in the public dialogue by keeping them informed about issues
that affect the downtown community.
Arts, Culture and Entertainment
DBI has become a community leader in arts, cultural and entertainment advocacy by:
- Engaging civil and business leaders to invest real money into Bentonville’s Creative Economy
- Strengthening local, regional and state partnerships with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Walton Arts Center, educational
entities, professional arts organizations, and individual visual and performing artists to nourish the city’s identity as a cultural epicenter
in Arkansas;
- Aggressively recruiting arts, entertainment, and hospitality related downtown businesses that draw cultural tourists and enhance the local and
regional quality-of-life;
- Engaging new downtown audiences through aggressive regional marketing efforts that offer both direct and indirect benefits to our local economy; and
- Working with local, regional and state economic development entities to partner in high profile cultural initiatives.
2008 Priorities
- Being a strong and relevant downtown association
- Effective communication with all downtown stakeholders
- Expanded value-added Downtown Bentonville, Inc. Membership Program
- Successful implementation of Phase II Square Enhancement Project
- 200+ hours of family-friendly, free downtown events
- Comprehensive downtown wayfinding and signage program
- Downtown parking program and management structure
- County Courts and Administrative offices expansion needs
2008 Board of Directors
Officers
Tom McCoy - McCoy & Company, President
Beth Cook - B La Rue, Vice-President
Johnny Haney - Tate and Haney, Secretary
David Short - Arvest Bank, Treasurer
Paul Esterer - Grubb & Ellis/Solomon Partners
Harrison French - Harrison French Architecture
Debi Havner - Arend, LLC
Michele Hopman - Arts Accents/For Me and My House
Chris Jones - C.J.’s Electric
Valorie Lawson – Lawco Exploration
Nancy Leake – Community Development Corp.
Debbie Matteri – In Season
Mike Mumma – Mary Mae Jones Elementary School
Bob Norwood – Walton Enterprises
Don Overstreet – Overstreet’s Jewelry
Mayor Bob McCaslin - ex-officio, City of Bentonville
Hon. Gary Black – ex-officio, Benton County
Ed Clifford – ex-officio, Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce
Kalene Griffith – ex-officio, Bentonville Convention and Visitors Bureau
Shelli Rushing – ex-officio, City of Bentonville Community Development
Staff
Daniel Hintz, Executive Director
Branda Compton, VP of Promotions
Dee Barr, Office Manager