RUSSELLVILLE – The Downtown Russellville Collective, subtitled and better known as Russellville Main Street, didn’t have to look far to find an executive director.
Russellville Main Street, which has undergone a revitalization, was recognized as a Distinguished Community by Main Street Alabama in June last year. With a burgeoning reputation and aspirations, local leaders decided the collective needed someone in a full-time leadership position.
That distinction fell to Yaneli Bahena, a lifelong city resident educated in Russellville City Schools and co-owner of a local business.
“I’m excited to be a part of this organization and cannot wait to pour into our Downtown,’’ she said in a Facebook post by Downtown Russellville. “Russellville has so much potential to be a place that people want to visit and live. With it being a historic downtown, I hope I’m able to bring it back to life and continue traditions.
“My aspiration is to be a representative voice for my community, fostering pride among all residents and supporting the success of downtown businesses regardless of ownership background. Leveraging the resources provided by Main Street, I am confident that this is possible.”
According to the post, Yaneli’s experience in local small business and established relationships will be a good fit with the Main Street Four Point Approach. Her fluency in English and Spanish will be particularly advantageous as “we articulate our vision and execute our Strategic Plan.”
“All of us are very much looking forward to Yaneli joining our team,’’ said Mitch McKinney, president of Russellville Main Street’s Board of Directors. “With her experience as a small business owner in the downtown district, her energy and ability to bridge the gaps with all cultures of the district, we are excited to see what can be done in the future.” .
The Downtown Russellville Collective, or “Russellville Main Street,” is a 501(c)(3) formed to stimulate downtown revitalization.
Main Street Alabama is a private nonprofit and state coordinating program of Main Street America. The National Main Street Four Point Approach™ is an over 40-year model that focuses work in four areas: organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality with strategies unique to the community and based on market-based outcome.
Visit www.mainstreetalabama.org for more information.
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