Hope Kiwanis Club Hears Economic Development Program From Anna Powell

The Hope Kiwanis Club heard from Anna Powell, President of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation Tuesday (11-19).  Powell opened the program by telling the club about a program called “Viewpoint”.  Hope has been chosen to participate in the program which distributes material via PBS and various national tv programs.  The “Viewpoint” team will be in Hope Thursday to shoot footage for the segments and to also interview such local leaders as Mayor Don Still, Milko Smith, Jamie Pafford-Gresham, and Cutberto Tenorio.  The crew will also be filming in downtown Hope during Christmas Open House.  Powell noted the video shot will be used as a “tourism video” for the county in the future.  She also noted the edc now has a dedicated youtube channel.

Powell said the edc has provided some training for local real estate professionals about commercial and business development.  Also, the organization has worked with mayors in the smaller communities to let them know about grant opportunities for communities under 2,500.

The edc has worked on strategic partnerships around health care locally and promoting the health care facilities and personnel within our community to keep as many people utilizing our local health care.

Powell said sometimes the community often doesn’t know our local companies are reinvesting in their facilities and the edc works with companies on such projects in helping them find out about grants that could assist those efforts.

One project Powell has been working on since she’s been at the edc is working to secure a truck stop for our community.

Powell noted the edc has about 10 sites listed on Arkansas Site Selection, a dedicated website for economic development.  She said their best site is located on the rail site behind JMS Metal in Oakhaven.  There have been four site visits by potential manufacturers since Powell has been at the edc.  Powell also said they have about 450 acres listed that is owned by the Mobley family.   A retail entity is currently looking at some of this land.  Powell also talked about the importance of logging and forestry to our county’s economy.

Powell said she thinks the lithium boom that is supposed to affect Columbia and Lafayette County will also result in economic development in Hempstead County.

The club greatly enjoyed the program and kept Powell past 1pm asking questions.