TEXARKANA - The Community Development Council of Atlanta, Georgia, has awarded the Professional Community and Economic Developer designation to Ina McDowell, Main Street Texarkana executive director.
"Ina has demonstrated dedication and leadership in Texarkana, Texas," said CDC Chairman Kay Fitzsimons. "Their efforts have guided and shaped a strong focus on effective community development."
The achievement was years in the making, McDowell said. "The exam at the end was not easy. The program was a three year one I attended at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. Not only was there everything else to go through, but I was delayed in taking the final test when COVID shut down the university. I took it several months later and I'm so relieved to have passed."
The PCED designation is earned by professional community developers who demonstrate ability to successfully enlist others, lead collaborative efforts and use all available resources to increase the economic prosperity of their communities. Applicants must obtain points based on their education and experience, as well as pass an exam in order to receive the designation.
McDowell has been the executive director of Main Street Texarkana since 2012. Main Street Texarkana is a nonprofit accredited by and affiliated with the National Main Street Center. Its mission is to promote economic development through historic preservation. Both
Main Street Texarkana, established in 2005, works for both the Texas and Arkansas side of town. It is one of only two bi-state Main Street programs of the approximately 2,000 programs in the country.