In March 2014, Clark County residents voted to continue a one-half cent sales tax for economic development and are now beginning to see results.
The unemployment rate in Clark County dipped to 4.8 percent in September, the lowest in eight years and down from a high of 12 percent in January 2012. A number of local industries have announced expansions since voters approved the tax, which passed with 70 percent approval.
Five months after the vote, Stephen Bell was hired as the new president and CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance. He soon began to implement a plan developed by the Economic Development Corporation of Clark County, the economic development organization funded by the county sales tax.
Georgia-Pacific Impact
As the national housing market has recovered, so has Clark County, which relies heavily on the timber industry.
Georgia-Pacific announced late last year that it was investing $37 million at its Gurdon lumber mill. The expansion will increase the mill’s production capacity by 60 percent and position the facility for long-term success.
Improvements at the lumber mill include the installation of a new continuous dry kiln and a state-of-the-art planer, along with related infrastructure improvements.
Project completion is expected by January 2016.
“As the housing market continues a slow but steady improvement, our plans to invest at Gurdon ensure our ability to meet the growing needs of our customers and become their lumber supplier of choice,” said Fritz Mason, vice president and general manager for Georgia-Pacific’s lumber business. “This is an opportunity to broaden our product offerings, enhance quality and improve our cost competitiveness.”
The company is also evaluating additional investments totaling approximately $20 million at the nearby Gurdon plywood mill that would increase the mill’s efficiency and capacity as well as further reduce air emissions.
Bell said the announcement by Georgia-Pacific that the company is investing $37 million in Gurdon is one of the biggest industry announcements for the county.
“The Economic Development Corporation of Clark County has pledged $500,000 in local incentives,” Bell said. “The funds will be used to upgrade the sewer treatment plant at the city of Gurdon.”
Other Expansions
Bell cited other recent industry expansions as well:
The Arkadelphia Poultry Plant, a division of Hillstern Farms, started operations in late 2014 with 20 employees and expects to eventually expand to 170. The EDCCC has provided $250,000 in local incentives.
Antoine Hardwoods added 10 employees in 2014. The EDCCC provided $12,500 in local incentives to help purchase a saw.
Danfoss added 20 employees in 2015. The EDCCC provided $60,000 in local incentives to the company, which makes compressors for air-conditioning units and commercial freezers.
Alcoa announced an expansion of a new business line in 2015 that resulted in 11 new jobs. The EDCCC provided $82,500 in local incentives.
Brown Machinery, a company that makes conveyor belts and gears for sawmills all across the United States, received $4,000 from the EDCCC to purchase a new $10,000 piece of equipment.
Newest Industry
Clark County has also attracted a new industry. Last month, Custom Cuts began operations in Arkadelphia. The company is a lumber, plywood and distribution business that provides custom-made products for its customers.
Custom Cuts is located in an old brake-shoe factory in the city. The company expects to have 100 trucks coming in and out of Arkadelphia each month.
Intermodal and Transload Facility
Bell said the EDCCC is working with the Southwest Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority to build a transload facility in Gum Springs. The intermodal authority has received a $1 million federal grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
“This will be a truck-to-rail spur in conjunction with Union Pacific Railroad,” Bell said. “This line to the industrial park will allow companies to load from the truck to the track or from the track to the truck.”
Henderson and Ouachita
Both Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University have completed major construction projects in Arkadelphia.
Henderson recently completed a $33 million construction program.
A new 240-bed housing complex includes a clubhouse and a swimming pool for student residents. A new dormitory complex is also near completion.
The university completed $1.7 million in renovations to the Garrison Center. The most dramatic change was to the ballroom, which seats 500 people.
Ouachita Baptist University unveiled its new Cliff Harris Football Stadium in the fall of 2014.
This year, Ouachita held a grand-opening ceremony for the new Elrod Center for Family and Community. The building cost $1.1 million.
Ouachita River Bridge
Infrastructure improvements are also taking place in Clark County. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in 2015 for a new $14.9 million bridge over the Ouachita River at Arkadelphia.
Other infrastructure projects in Clark County include $9.3 million to replace the bridges between Arkadelphia and Gurdon and the repaving of Highway 53 to allow log trucks on the highway.
Arkadelphia Airport
The city of Arkadelphia is working with Garver Engineers of North Little Rock to develop a long-range strategic plan for the Arkadelphia municipal airport.
Improvements to the airport are already taking place. The Clark County Industrial Council recently awarded $87,360 to the city of Arkadelphia to move an agricultural loading pad away from hangars at the airport.
Industry Recruitment
The Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance works closely with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and has hosted a number of industrial prospects interested in the Clark County Industrial Park.
“One of our greatest assets is the Clark County Industrial Park located at Gum Springs,” Bell said. “Working with AEDC and Gov. Asa Hutchinson, we expect 2016 will be another year of job growth for Clark County.”
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