Dana Poindexter, regional manager for south Arkansas from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), was the guest speaker at the monthly Bradley County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) meeting on Monday, March 27. Poindexter shared an overview of what the AEDC offers. Their mission statement is “to create economic opportunity by attracting higher paying jobs, expanding and diversifying our state and local economies, increasing incomes and investment, and generating positive growth throughout Arkansas.”
Poindexter shared the targeted industries in Arkansas are aerospace and defense, food and beverage, timber and forest products, metals, technology, firearms and ammunition, corporate and shared services, distribution and logistics, and transportation equipment. The top site selection factors for businesses and corporations, according to the AEDC, is workforce skills, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, higher education resources, utilities (cost and reliability), right to work state, state and local tax, ease of permitting and regulatory procedures, quality of life, and incentives.
The AEDC helps with community development. The regional managers, like Poindexter, “provide Arkansas communities with tools that help them to excel at all facets of economic development. This includes strategic planning, product development, marketing, business retention and expansion, and business development.
In her presentation, Poindexter said communities are successful with strong leadership, building and maintaining strong relationships with existing companies, work collaboratively with neighboring communities and other partners, resources and financing must be devoted specifically to economic development, concentrate on improving the quality of the workforce, designated site and buildings, and marketing to specific sectors.
The AEDC helps communities become more attractive for jobs and investments.
At the start of the meeting, before Poindexter gave her presentation, the BCEDC board members met in a private session with an unnamed prospect.
In regular business, BCEDC Board Chairman Dr. Bob Smalling reported the executive director search was on hold for the time being.
The broadband issue was brought up during the meeting. Poindexter said the state broadband initiative was waiting for the county to assist mapping the county where the fiber optic cables were needed. Windstream Cable company is working on a six-year grant program. Warren Mayor Gregg Reep said gaps in broadband in the city needed to be fixed.
Mayor Reep said Friday, March 31 the buildings on the courthouse square would be condemned. The demolition of the Bryant Building would take place soon.
Former Warren Mayor Bryan Martin was appointed by Mayor Reep to the intermodal board. Tim Kessler was appointed by Drew County Judge Jessie Griffin to the board as well.
The BCEDC shared upcoming events in the city. Market on Main would return on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The intermodal board meeting will meet on Wednesday, April 19. There will be a county-wide clean up on Saturday, April 29. The Bradley County Medical Foundation Doctor’s Appreciation Dinner will be held on May 5 at Immanuel Baptist Church.
The next board meeting will be on Monday, April 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the BCEDC building.
