The Little Town That Could: How a Grassroots Nonprofit Is Reviving Leachville
Seventy-five miles outside Memphis, the tiny town of Leachville, Arkansas — with a population of 1,898 — has raised nearly $50,000 to improve life for its residents. A devastating tornado in 2021 and a declining population do not faze the residents behind the citizen-led nonprofit, Leachville Beautification Corporation (LBC).
Founded in 2022, LBC aims to revitalize the Mississippi County town through neighborhood beautification, home repair assistance, historic preservation and local business support.
The first project was installing lampposts in the historic downtown. Through the Memorial Lamp Post on Main Street Project, 20 families adopted lamp posts in honor of loved ones, each marked with a plaque at its base. The $650 adoption fee covered the cost of each pole, while Price & Co. Roofing, Renovations and Landscaping, and Chambers Electric donated installation labor.
Next, decorative benches appeared along sidewalks, volunteers landscaped and cleaned public spaces, and storefronts got a fresh coat of paint. In 2023, LBC unveiled a long-awaited mural on the north end of Main Street, and work is underway to restore two historic storefronts and preserve the town’s beloved Cotton Belt Train Depot.
LBC is also responsible for the “Open on Main” program, designed to help entrepreneurs open or relocate businesses to historic downtown Leachville. With the program offering support in planning, branding, signage and promotion, four new businesses have relocated to the historic district as a result.
And the revival isn’t limited to Main Street. In 2024, LBC launched its home improvement grant program, awarding $2,500 each to in-need homeowners for essentials like ramps, siding, porches and paint. Recipients say the repairs have been “life-changing.”
LBC is not publicly funded, so its strength lies in its people. Thanks to community partnerships and volunteers, it raised almost $50,000 in private funds and in-kind donations, which has allowed it to complete dozens of projects. Local businesses have provided materials, labor and matching donations, residents sponsor projects in honor of loved ones, and civic groups collaborate on projects.
Every initiative reflects the belief that revitalization works best when the community invests in itself.
One of the faces behind LBC is its president, Jerred Price. Whether he’s leading a board meeting, laying shingles or channeling Elton John on stage in Memphis, Price brings heart and vision to everything he does. A proud Leachville native and Buffalo Island Central High School alum, Jerred’s roots run deep in Mississippi County, and so does his commitment to giving back.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska, while his father served in the Army, Jerred’s family returned to Mississippi County when he was a child. His parents’ families, the Prices of Manila and the Lloyds of Leachville, gave him deep local ties that still shape his commitment to the area.
“I’ve always been met with kindness here. Even in hard times, the people remain resilient and determined,” Price said.
For Jerred, LBC’s mission is personal: to honor Leachville’s past while positioning it for a stronger future. And under his leadership, the group is building momentum, with plans to expand its grantmaking and continue downtown revitalization.
“I love volunteering and collaborating with neighbors to see what we can accomplish next,” he says. “Working on Main Street in Leachville is an escape for me. It’s where I feel at home, making a difference one project at a time.”
Price sees the work as an antidote to cynicism.
“If someone is doing something good, step up, offer your help and support their efforts,” he said. “Teamwork and camaraderie will elevate us to the next level. Let’s remember to be the change we wish to see.”