State Representative Sonia Barker was the guest speaker at the monthly Bradley County Economic Development Corporation Board on Monday, August 28. She is serving her fourth term as legislator. She spoke about her education background. She also serves on the education board.
She took questions from board members about the LEARNS Act. She said she voted for parents to have more of a voice in their children’s education during her terms. She also agreed teachers needed to be paid better.
SEACBEC Director Devin McDiarmid reported ABC Preschool had the maximum number of students it could hold with 120 students. She said there were 86 Warren High School students enrolled in college credit.
BCEDC Director Dr. Bob Smalling said they were considering trading 45 acres of land for railroad tracks on the BCEDC property for a prospect.
Warren Mayor Gregg Reep said the demolition projects downtown were completed. He said he hoped to have streets paved this year. He also said he was working on getting better broadband in the city limits.
Banks Mayor Keeton Hudson said they applied for two grants. One is for the city park and the other grant is for the fire department. Mayor Hudson also said he was now on the Southeast Arkansas Community Action Corporation Board.
Hermitage Mayor Matt Cathey said they were working on adding on to the fire department building and work on streets in town.
John Lipton announced the old Piggly Wiggly building was sold to the Dollar General company.
The next BCEDC board meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 25 at the BCEDC building.
