Kudos to Main Street Russellville’s Darlene Gooch, her board and the gentlemen on work release for making the city’s square look delightfully rejuvenated.

Many of the buildings in the downtown area, 22 of them to be exact, have either received a fresh coat of paint, touch ups or facade changes recently thanks to a program initiated to enhance the heart of Russellville.

Since Gooch took the helm of Main Street Russellville, many changes have occurred that are inevitably going to bring more business to the city’s once thriving square.

Main Street’s focus is to bring life back into an area that once was the “hub” of the city but has fallen desolate over the years as retail business moved out and people moved on to discounted mega stores and entertainment to neighboring towns.

Gooch is also working tirelessly to get our old theater on Fourth Street open for stage performances and possible film presentations. This is no easy crusade, when the frayed economy has all but destroyed “free” money once plentiful for such projects.

But despite the barriers small towns face financially, Main Street Russellville and its leading lady are not taking it sitting down. Ideas are still abundant and with the dedicated and steadfast people serving on this board continuing to paddle upstream despite the strong current of adversity, Russellville will continue to grow.

The community can be proud there are those who still care enough to work for change.