Renovating Christ Episcopal Church in Downtown Little Rock with Rush Deacon and Mark Grobmyer

In this week's episode, Rex is joined by Rush Deacon, the Co-chair of the Capital Campaign for Christ Episcopal Church, and Mark Grobmyer, the Chairman of the Global Solutions Institute, to discuss the renovation plans for the historic Christ Episcopal Church in Downtown Little Rock.

The trio's conversation begins with a celebration of the various construction projects in Downtown Little Rock, highlighting the city’s growth over the past few decades. Rush and Mark emphasize the 200-year-old church's historical significance, especially its ties to General Douglas MacArthur, who attended the church. Rush shares details of the planned renovations, set to begin in June 2025. The renovations, which seek to modernize and improve accessibility in the church will also include the addition of a green space. 

Mark shares how MacArthur's legacy, including his connection to the church and its role during World War II, could encourage foreign investment and tourism in the Downtown area. The group also discusses other key developments in Little Rock, including the future Hillary Clinton wing at the Clinton Presidential Center, which they believe will bring more tourism to the city. 

Rex and Mark also touch on the growing optimism for Downtown Little Rock, particularly with the influx of younger residents and improvements like the trolley system. Finally, Mark reflects on the ongoing work of the Global Solutions Institute, which aims to leverage Fulbright Scholar alumni to solve global challenges.