Rural Placemaking Initiative Challenge: Arkansas Delta Rhythm and Bayous

Winrock International is implementing the Arkansas Delta Rhythm and Bayous Placemaking Initiative project with local and multi-jurisdictional efforts to improve the quality of life, rural economies, and e-connectivity in four Delta communities.

The Delta Rhythm and Bayous Highway is the Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi corridor along U.S. Route 65 South and Bayou Bartholomew that connects seven rural, Delta cities from Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Greenville, Mississippi. Rooted in the shared musical and arts achievements and bayou culture of this corridor, the ADRBPI project will leverage cultural identity and current placemaking efforts of the cities of Gould, Dumas, McGehee, and Dermott, Arkansas along with innovative state initiatives focused on enhancing broadband in rural communities and expanding tourism infrastructure. The ADRBPI also will foster sustainability and resiliency for project development by creating a collaborative, regional network of community leaders and partners.

Winrock and project partners Connected Nation, Inc., and Crafton, Tull & Associates, LLC. will implement a tiered technical assistance approach that incorporates Innovation Seed Grants and equips leadership to plan, implement and sustain innovative placemaking initiatives in communities that are primed to attract tourism along major routes. This approach spans the community development process and allows each community to grow from its unique stage of capacity while fostering regional collaboration along the Delta Rhythm and Bayous Highway.