EDCCC 2nd quarter activity report

Shelley Short, CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance, presented the Clark County Quorum Court with a report Monday, Aug. 12, on economic development activities for the second quarter of 2024.

Short’s PowerPoint presentation included updates on various items spearheaded by the Alliance, Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corp. of Clark County. In sum, Short reported:

• The planning phase has begun in further development of the Business and Technology Park on W.P. Malone Drive. The Alliance is contracting for some of the timber to be cleared.

• Two state grants are being sought for development of the super site in Gum Springs. One of those grants has a value of $2 million, and another would further extend water/wastewater infrastructure.

• There are three existing potential prospects interested in locating in Clark County; two are on hold; four new ones have been added; five have been removed.

• The Alliance is increasing its marketing via LinkedIn.

• The Chamber recruited 8 new members, renewed 54 memberships and held 5 ribbon cuttings or celebrations.

• The annual Chamber Banquet, held in April, was a sold-out event.

• Short said she is hopeful that more business owners will take advantage of the Blueprint – Small Business Series. The next session, titled Thriving in Turbulent Times, will be held Sept. 5 at the Alliance office, 201 N. 26th St.

• A recent job fair and career expo, held in June, drew 28 local employers and 53 job seekers to the event.

EDCCC financial report

So far in 2024 the tax-funded EDCCC has collected $921,923.52 in sales tax receipts, $12,562.48 in rental/lease/other income, and $191,007.31 in interest for a total of $1,125,493.31.

The EDCCC spent $353,859.49 in operating expenses in the first six months of the year. Breaking that figure down: $315,283.77 in contract/admin/marketing; $2,135.19 in accounting fees/audit; $7,380 in legal fees; $23,971.79 in development; $854.32 in utilities; $1,967.42 in meeting expenses and miscellaneous. The EDCCC had a net income of $771,633.82.

By the end of the second quarter, the EDCCC reports $13,786,986.22 in total assets and $7,976,847.54 in total tax funds available.