The Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation hosted the first annual mayor’s summit on Thursday (2-22). Anna Powell, EDC President said she was excited by the turnout.
Dana Poindexter, the regional manager for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission spoke about Hempstead County putting a lot of thought and planning with the EDC to represent itself. The AEDC focuses on industry as that is what draws people here. Businesses such as restaurants and hotels come as a result of industry.
Powell stated there are 11 sites being marketed right now.
Poindexter stated the days of “lowest price and a handshake” are long gone with factors such as higher education resources, transportation infrastructure, work skills, utilities, quality also being factored in.
One of the attendees asked about identifying what industries would be drawn here. There are more resources on the state level.
Because of non-disclosure agreements there are certain things the EDC cannot share with the public.
The EDC has resources to help in applying for grants. Powell stated when people say there is no money, there is money but the right person has to be talked to.
Poindexter talked about Community Development Block Grants. She stated infrastructure resources needed to be lined up so that other projects could be done.
Capacity building is also important as 2 or 3 people can’t be doing all the work. There is a need for a plan. Capacity building is a large part of the plan.
Leadership is important as is working with collaborative partners and understanding neighbors and communities.
Economic development must be a priority.
The AEDC will support communities which are doing well in supporting themselves.
Becca Caldwell, the Director of Rural Services spoke. Rural services focus on human services. The rural community grant program application isn’t intended to be difficult. The population must be 3,000 or below. Projects funded include fire stations, community buildings, parks, sports fields. These grants are state funds so don’t have the LMI (low to moderate income) requirement but it does have to be on city or county property. The statue doesn’t allow for donated labor so the law currently doesn’t allow it. Courthouses, police vehicles, and county fairs are not eligible. Other grants are available for larger communities.
Block grants must have a LMI of 51% or more. The number has gone up to $100,000 for grants as costs have gone up much. Communities cannot apply for both Block grants and CDBG grants.
Philip Powell, NTIA Assistant Director for Local Affairs and Rural Development spoke following a lunch provided by Pafford. He talked about how bad the internet service was in Blevins and talked about the large role of farming in Arkansas’ economy and its need for broadband. He said the goal is to have everything switched over to fiber. Hempstead County is an a much better situation than other counties in Arkansas
Kamelle Gomez talked about three pillars of broadband – access, affordability and digital skills. In southwestern Arkansas affordability is an issue. Gomez talked about challenging service providers who were supposed to provide service and don’t. There is a 30 day period to challenge them and they will have 30 days to respond. Elected public officials and nonprofits can challenge the ISPs while private individuals cannot. The process of challenging the ISPs has not yet been opened up.
Powell thanked the speakers for coming as well as the elected officials.