LaSalle payback, local tomato harvest, and Boys/Girls State discussed at BCEDC monthly meeting

LaSalle payback, local tomato harvest, and Boys/Girls State discussed at BCEDC monthly meeting

Bradley County Economic Development Corp. received its first check from LaSalle Corrections on Monday, along with a deed to 20 acres, it was revealed at the monthly BCEDC board meeting later in the day. The property had been intended for a regional jail housing Bradley and Drew County prisoners, along with some state prisoners. However,…

BCEDC approves agreement for LaSalle Corrections to pay $460,000 over 12 years, + broadband discussed

BCEDC approves agreement for LaSalle Corrections to pay $460,000 over 12 years, + broadband discussed

WARREN, Ark. – Bradley County Economic Development Corp. approved an agreement with LaSalle Corrections Monday night in regard to the former proposal for a Southeast Arkansas Regional Jail. State Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, who is a BCEDC board member, was involved in negotiations along with Mayor Denisa Pennington and the BCEDC Executive Committee. When the project…

Future funding topic of discussion for BCEDC board

Future funding topic of discussion for BCEDC board

Bradley County Economic Development Corp. board members had a lengthy discussion during their last meeting of the year Monday as to their prospects for future funding. BCEDC and Bradley County Chamber of Commerce each asked for $18,000 in next year’s city budget to fund their respective offices. Warren City Council has rejected the requests as…

Jail/prison main topic of discussion at BCEDC meeting

Jail/prison main topic of discussion at BCEDC meeting

Most of the discussion at Monday’s Bradley County Economic Development Corp. board meeting concerned the disposition of the Southeast Arkansas Regional Jail. LaSalle Corrections recently informed Bradley County Quorum Court that it would be economically unfeasible for the company to build and maintain the jail. However, company officials left open the possibility that the county…

Prison main topic of discussion at Monday BCEDC meeting

Prison main topic of discussion at Monday BCEDC meeting

Bradley County Economic Development Corp. board members attempted to clarify some points about the Southeast Arkansas Regional Jail project but took no action regarding it at their monthly meeting Monday. At the last Quorum Court meeting, Billy McConnell, owner of LaSalle Corrections, said it was not economically feasible for his company to build the jail.…

LaSalle says new private prison will not work financially, BCEDC Representative urges Bradley County to take out 34 million dollar bond to open a public prison instead

LaSalle says new private prison will not work financially, BCEDC Representative urges Bradley County to take out 34 million dollar bond to open a public prison instead

The project underway for some five years to build a private prison in Southeast Arkansas to house 500 State of Arkansas inmates and to provide jail space for Bradley and Drew Counties is in jeopardy of being canceled. Billy McConnell, a high ranking officer of LaSalle Corrections, a private firm that operates prisons and jails…