WARREN, Ark. – The Bradley County Economic Development Corp. (BCEDC) meeting on Monday, March 28 opened with a discussion regarding industrial recruiting efforts in a closed session.
Attending the meeting were Board Chairman Dr. Bob Smalling, members Morgan Richardson Meeks, Stacey Gorman, James Wells, John Lipton, John Gavin, Bridgette Harding, Kelly Ashcraft, Hugh Allen Quimby, and Devin McDiarmid.
Top photo: Dana Poindexter of Arkansas Economic Development Commission addressed the Bradley County Economic Development Corp. Monday. Shown, from left, are board members Morgan Richardson Meeks, Stacey Gorman, John Gavin, Warren Mayor Gregg Reep and board member Kelly Ashcraft. Photo by Tim Kessler.
By Tim Kessler
Saline River Chronicle Freelance Contributor
Also attending were Attorney Ricky Roper, accountant Bob Milton, Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney, Warren Mayor Gregg Reep, and Dana Poindexter, the regional manager for South Arkansas at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Topics discussed included:
- Milton gave the monthly financial report. It showed a $621,666.63 note collectible over the next 12 years from LaSalle Corrections, $50,000 as both an asset and liability from J&E Food Group poultry plant, total assets of $919,769.66, and monthly income of $800 in memberships and $500 WLS sawmill lease. So far, there has been a net loss of $2,813.69 for the year.
- Poindexter gave a detailed report on the services her division of AEDC could offer. She said the South Arkansas region covers 24 counties. “There’s a lot of resources out there for workforce development,” she said.
The Arkansas Site Selection Center provides listings for the Warren Industrial Park site, managed by the city government, and the Griggs Property, owned by BCEDC. A business development team can assist local officials. She also suggested that BCEDC should work with the AEDC Business Development team. She said information is available for training through the Rural Development Conference, Arkansas Municipal League Conference, and other training sessions.
Poindexter said the Arkansas broadband initiative was still waiting for a Bradley County team to be set up to assist in mapping the county as to where fiber optic cables are still needed. A six-year grant program is underway by Windstream cable company, and other programs are addressing broadband needs in the county. Mayor Reep said gaps needed filling in broadband coverage in Warren. He continued that the City has been communicating with several companies regarding solving the problem.
- Smalling reported the search for an executive director for the BCEDC had been put on hold.
- Mayor Reep said the City is working towards tearing down the Bryant’s Building very soon.
- It was announced that Bryan Martin had been appointed by Reep to the Intermodal board. Tim Kessler has been appointed by Drew County Judge Jessie Griffin to the board, as Kessler has recently moved from Warren to Monticello.