HCEDC Annual Meeting – Hope Prescott

The Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation held their 33rd Annual Industry Meeting on Wednesday, November 6, at the Hope Municipal Airport. The meeting was for their investors, manufactures, and allies.

Board members present at the event were; Dr. Lester Sitzes III, W. LaDell Douglas, M.D., Gary Chambless, Steve Montgomery, Mark Ross, Steve Lance, and Steve Atchley.

Ex Officio who were present consisted of; Catherine Cook and Russell Cornelius

Office manager, Sarah Sisson and Office President Steve Harris were both present during the meeting.

Chairman of HCEDC, Lester Sitzes III called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to the meeting. He then introduced Steve Lance, who gave the invocation. Following the invocation, the minutes were reviewed and a motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as read.

Steve Harris then gave a report. Some of the projects that the HCEDC have helped with consist of the road to Tyson, and around the Chicken Express and the soon to be opening Christus Trinity Medical Clinic.

The HCEDC has been active in the community in two different ways. They have been part of the five year strategic plan alongside the Arkansas Economic Development Institute. The second way that they have been active in the community is by hosting a seminar at Hempstead Hall for the past two years for 8th graders within our community. At this past seminar they had over 1000 students attend. This project has received a 2019 National Award for Planning and Development and a State Award for Community Development. Harris stated, “I want to help encourage young people, that there are jobs in Southwest Arkansas and Hempstead County that they can stay after their careers.” Hempstead County and Southwest Arkansas is a heavily manufacturing area with 26% of those employed are in the manufacturing field.

Guest Speaker of the evening was Brian Morehead of New Millennium. He presented a slide show informing us what all New Millennium has accomplished since opening its doors in 2010 for the Hope community.

October 2010 CMC Assets purchased
February 2011 the 1st joist was produced
October 2011 Production started up for the first crew
January 2012 New Deck Line Purchased
February 2012 Production for a second crew started
January 2013 the 1st deck produced
April 2013 Production started for third crew
July 2014 Production started for 4th crew