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Aft ATTACHMENT # 2 AV The proposed plan is to address the further development of the downtown trade area. For many years the downtown area has been the focal point of employment outside of industrial concerns and has also served as the main provider of community services and facilities. However, with the decline of economic activities in the area, it is feared that further disinvestment will lead to the locating of community services facilities outside of this area which now encompasses the following service entities : I . U. S. Post Office (new building) 2. Library ( renovated ) 3. City Hall 4. Jail Facilities 5. First National Bank 6. Citizens Bank 7. Batesville Federal Savings & Loan Association 8. Alcholic Recovery Center 9. Gray's Hospital 10. Fire Department 11 . Police Station 12. Employment Security Division 13. Chamber of Commerce 14. Southwestern Bell Telephone 15. Arkla Gas Company 16. Various other private establishments In regard to employment opportunities, commercial operations have had no opportunity to increase employment due to the current decline in retail sales which can be contributed to the random development of shopping malls, which have distracted the concentration of retail trade areas and community services which should exist coherently in a rural setting due to limited transportation facilities available for consumers. The proposed program will concentrate improvements in the downtown area which presently contains the forementioned community service facilities and will hope- fully spur interest in locating additional service facilities in this area while simultaneously increasing employment opportunities.