Saline County EDC Moves Forward with Plans

Saline County, AR (November 10, 2005) –

More than 25 leaders from Saline County attended a planning session Nov 2 of the Saline County Economic Development Council (SCEDC). Those attending included County Judge Lanny Fite, Benton Mayor Rick Holland, Bryant Mayor Paul Halley, Haskell Mayor Jeff Arey, school administrators, the SCEDC board members, Benton and Bryant Chamber of Commerce executives, and representatives from Saline Memorial Hospital.

The SCEDC established five priorities at their April planning session in which they will focus their efforts: Sites and Infrastructure, Marketing, Organization, Funding and Business Retention & Expansion. The SCEDC recommended that the organization should grow in phases with the emphasis in phase one (approximately 1 – 3 years) being to unite economic development efforts with the county and assess sites and infrastructure. Phase one will also involve receiving marketing assistance as a participant in the Metro Little Rock Alliance and adopting Entergy’s Select Site program and the Business, Retention & Expansion guide as part of the SCEDC plan. Resources are now being put in place to address the requirements of the Select Site program in order to maximize the 2006 marketing initiatives that Entergy’s Office of Economic Development has planned for the program.

Bill Hope, Jr., SCEDC Chairman, said, “Saline County has a lot to look forward to in the area of economic development. We want to facilitate our growth for the greatest benefit to the residents and businesses in Saline County. I think our strategic plan is going to help us keep our eyes on our goals and see real results in the very near future.”

Sherry McDonnell with Entergy’s Teamwork Arkansas served as the facilitator for the meeting. McDonnell has been assisting the organization with its strategic planning efforts. McDonnell said, “I commend the SCEDC and the committees for their dedication and hard work and I praise the group for their goal setting and action planning efforts. The planning is sometimes the hardest part of all. Economic development is a long-term commitment and the level of dedication and community support needs to remain strong in order to see results in the future. I have no doubt Saline County will succeed in realizing their vision for the future.”

Teamwork Arkansas, now in its 19th year, is one of the largest private-sector economic development initiatives in the country. Teamwork Arkansas partners with communities to create wealth and raise the standard of living for the citizens of Arkansas by providing professional and resourceful expertise in business recruitment, marketing, planning and research. For more information about Teamwork Arkansas resources available to Arkansas communities, contact Teamwork Arkansas at 501-377-4434.

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