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Powering Rural Development in Poinsett County First MeetingDecember 02, 2008 - by Michael Wilkey
HARRISBURG — An Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development official said Monday collaboration is the highest form of partnership.
Poinsett County officials began that partnership Monday as they talked about economic development.
Poinsett County Judge-elect Charles Nix of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Mayor Donnie Faulkner, Marked Tree Mayor Dixon Chandler, Trumann Mayor Sheila Walters and Weiner Mayor Arthur Booth met with officials from the Delta Center and the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas to go over a plan for development.
The county was recently selected for a pilot program, sponsored by the Delta Center and Electric Cooperatives.
The program allows the county to work internally and regionally for economic development, Jerry Smith, with the Delta Center, said.
“In collaborating, you’re not just a collection of towns. Something new will come from it ... You bring together assets, stressing equity, not equality,” Smith said.
Nix, who takes office in January, said the program could benefit the county for many years to come.
“It is something we have to do and make a concerted effort. With our budget and tax base dwindling, it is something we have to do,” Nix said.
State Rep. Buddy Lovell, D-Marked Tree, attended and said the regional approach has been beneficial to his efforts in Marked Tree.
“It is a heck of a lot better all of us working than one (town) alone — 27,000 people in Poinsett County versus 2,500 people in Marked Tree,” Lovell said.
Lovell has identified six possible economic development and retail sites in Marked Tree.
Lovell said other sites are available in the county.
“There is a 415,000-square-foot building in Harrisburg, 450 acres in Weiner and two buildings in Trumann,” Lovell said.
Chandler said he has worked on economic development, too.
“When Nordex (a wind turbine manufacturer) said they were coming to Jonesboro, I called (Mayor) Doug Formon about it. He gave me their number, and I contacted them. They told me there were at least six supporting industries that they would need — steel and electronics mainly. But they said it was three to five years down the road,” Chandler said.
Faulkner said a city sales tax in his community, with one-third of the amount going toward economic development, has raised nearly $200,000 in 22 months.
Part of contract
As part of the county entering the pilot program, officials agreed to follow certain guidelines in setting up an economic development plan.
They include:
• multi-sector leadership, including individuals from the private sector, public sector and residents;
• publicizing events and meetings, including communicating with media; and
• meeting project requirements involving scheduling and reporting.
The group is expected to meet in early January to discuss the project.
mwilkey@jonesborosun.com
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