Businesses honored at EDC luncheon

By John Miller, 09/8/23 2:44 PM

HOPE – Local business and industry was honored at the 37th Annual Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation Annual meeting Friday at Hempstead Hall.

Erin Gooden, director of recruitment for Hope Baking, provided the keynote speech. She talked about how the business began as East Baking in New York as a small bagel shop. As demand grew, it became hard to find a source for the product and the decision was made the company would make its own. Now, there are nine bakeries in five states. Historically, she said, the company has bought bakeries with existing staff as the experience can’t be replaced. The same held true when Southern Bakeries was bought out and the staff kept.

“Our hope is,” she said, “to return the bakery to its former glory. To be inclusive, family oriented and make an excellent product for our customers.” Plans, she added, are to repurpose the brown and serve line, running it year round with three shifts working four lines 24-7, except for holidays. This will create more than 300 jobs, she told the audience. Some equipment needs to be refurbished and others replaced. To help avoid having to ship the product frozen, the company bought the old Stephens building for storage. Gooden said the potential here is unlimited.

Anna Powell, president of the HCEDC,  in the president’s report, said location and logistics help make businesses profitable and Hempstead County has both with access to major highways and an interstate along with rail service. She said it’s important to keep the rail spur in top condition as local industry relies on it. Powell pointed out the HCEDC gives a grant, up to $50,000, for the spur and this year the grant went to Hexion and Funder.

She said the HCEDC  tried to get a quarter cent sales tax passed to help with economic development, but it failed. Still, she added, the HCEDC will keep trying to get public support and be a viable asset to the local economy.

Powell recognized Pafford Ambulance Service for receiving the Arkansas Business of the Year Award.

Some of her goals as president, are to have a mayors summit with all the area mayors involved, making them aware of rural grant opportunities they can apply for to help their communities, and connect Hempstead County real estate companies with site selectors to get data on to their state websites.

Powell reminded the audience economic development isn’t only about recruiting new industries, but retaining existing ones and helping them grow. She said the closing of Husqvarna cost 150 Hempstead County residents their jobs, so it’s important for local industry to expand. She pointed out Hope Baking is in an expansion mode and Tyson is moving quickly on its new hatchery.

New investor awards were presented to Farm Credit, Powell Grocery, Tyson, Bobcat Freight and Express Employment.