Kiwanis Club Hears About Proposed Quarter-Cent Sales Tax For Economic Development

By Mark Keith, 09/28/22 1:07 PM

The Hope Kiwanis Club heard a presentation from the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation concerning the quarter-cent sales tax the organization is seeking to fund economic development.  A video was shown detailing projects the EDC has done locally such as funding rail spur improvements in the industrial park and road improvements around the Tyson plant.  The video pointed out several towns and counties such as Magnolia, Booneville, and Clark County that have economic development sales taxes.  In particular it was noted Clark County recently acquired a Hostess facility that looked at Hempstead County but chose Clark County due to the economic development funds which helped with infrastructure for the new plant.

Public meetings are scheduled over the next month all around Hempstead County to detail the proposal.  Meetings are scheduled October 3rd at 6:30pm at the Fulton Community Center, October 4th at 6pmm at the DeAnn Fire Station and 7pm in Blevins at the old bank building.  A meeting is set for October 6th at 6:30pm at the Patmos Fire Station and October 8th at 6pm at both the Cross Roads and Southeast Volunteer Fire Departments.

Voters will decide on the proposed tax in the general election November 8th.