SOMA 501
SoMa 501 (formerly Southside Main Street Project, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing economic development, public relations, historic integrity and quality of life for the citizens of the neighborhood.
As a designated Main Street Arkansas program, we work with our local businesses, government partners, and other stakeholders to deliver events, improvement projects, and programming for the benefit of everyone that visits our stretch of Main Street.
Vision: SoMa 501 strives for a vibrant and diverse South Main Street where residents, local businesses, and visitors alike feel welcome, full of opportunity, and engaged in the community.
Mission: SoMa 501 contributes to an eclectic and dynamic South Main Street by championing its economic interests, celebrating and protecting its history, and cultivating an exceptional downtown experience for all who come to live, work, play, and be in our vibrant, neighborly community.
SUPPORT our work
Your financial support means so much to our section of Main Street. Because of your generosity, we can offer community-centered events, sponsor programming for elementary students, improve our landscape, and attract customers to our local businesses.
By investing in SoMa 501, you help drive customers to local businesses. Every dollar spent locally keeps $0.48 in our economy compared to only $0.136 in chain retailers.
Board of Directors
Phil Brandon – President, Organization Chair
Muriel Tarver – Vice President
Kate Jenkins – Treasurer, Economic Vitality Chair, BAM Liaison
Katherine Snyder – Secretary
Brett Budolfson – Second Vice President, Design Chair
John Brandenberger, Promotion Chair
Keri Fishburn, SoMardi Gras Chair
Angelia Johnson
Gabe Holmstrom
Executive Director, Elizabeth Michael
Get involved
Join us! You can become a SoMa 501 board member, a committee member, or volunteer at our events. Contact us to get started.
If you want to learn more about SoMa, joining a committee is a great way to dive in. In addition to various event committees, we also have:
Design — tasked to celebrate historic character, foster accessible public spaces, and create an inviting, inclusive atmosphere,
Promotion — tasked to market our neighborhood’s defining assets, communicate its features through storytelling, and supporting a buy-local experience,
Economic vitality — tasked to build a diverse economic base, catalyze smart new investment, and cultivate a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem; and,
Organization — tasked to ensure broad community engagement, forge partnerships across sectors, and to build leadership and strong organizational capacity.