HOPE – A larger than normal crowd was in attendance for the September 1st meeting of the Hope City Board, a fact noted at the start by Mayor Don Still. Mayor Still said the board only learned of the potential Micro Data Center a few days ago and were also waiting for the public meeting Thursday evening, 5-7:00 pm at Hempstead Hall, to find out more.
In meeting notes about the data center, it states Vinco / Vastera LLC, data center developers, reached out to Hope Water & Light and Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation regarding the possibility of purchasing land to develop a micro data center in the Industrial Park at the intersection of Hwy 32 East and Hwy 278. Sufficient electric power is available with remaining additional power available for other future opportunity growth. Additional electrical infrastructure costs would be borne by Vinco alone. Said costs would not be passed on to existing HWL customers. Water usage is minimal.
There was little discussion from the audience during the citizen comment part of the meeting. In response to a statement about the process that will be involved, Mayor Still again said the Thursday evening public hearing will involve agencies and personnel directly involved, noting the property is not owned by the city, but HWL, ind is outside the city limits.
In other business, the board approved a change order regarding the removal of a number of trees in the construction area of the Hope Aquatic Center. The change order to remove trees located on the deductive alternate parking site at an approximate cost of $34,976.00. This will be paid for from contingency funds.
City Manager JR Wilson discussed the STOP Grant. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Intergovernmental Services will be seeking to continue the STOP Grant throughout the 2026-2027 calendar year for a federally funded program authorized by the Federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). This is considered a continuation year and no application is needed. This grant is commonly referred to as STOP (Stop Violence Against Women). STOP funds are eligible to be used by law enforcement agencies to provide services pertaining to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence against adult women. HPD has participated in this grant program for over 10 years. The proceeds fund approximately 50% of one Detective’s wages and benefits to address qualifying domestic crimes. The Grant requires no less than 28% in-kind match. In the event future funding is denied, the Hope Police Department is not obligated to continue this specific program. HPD estimates that grant proceeds, would provide approximately $30,079.78 in federal funds; require $11,698.00 in in-kind match and result in a total project cost of $41,777.78. The board approved continuing to participate.