Welcome to the CCSP Website
and Information Center

"What's Next" Education Forum"
Walker Conference Center
Ouachita Baptist University
Saturday, August 16, 2008
10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.

The Center for Education and Public Policy and the Clark County Strategic Planning Education Subcommittee will host the "What's Next" Education Forum. The purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for junior high and high school students and their parents to learn more about what can be done now to prepare for life after high school graduation.

The forum will offer opportunities for students and parents to talk with individuals regarding how to apply to and prepare for college or workforce training opportunities. Experts will be on hand to discuss financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Students can visit with college recruiters from several colleges and universities and hear from college students who have already gone through the college application process. Parents can hear from experts and other parents who know how to navigate the college-going process. Workforce training experts will be available to discuss current and future job opportunities. Students can take an online assessment to discover their strengths and the type of jobs their individual strengths are best suited.

It's never too early to start thinking about college. There are steps students can take while in junior high and high school that may give them a head start on admittance to college and workforce training programs. Information will be provided at the forum to address these steps.

Food and beverages will be provided for all attendees. Door prizes will also be given. The forum is free of charge and open to the public. Students of all ages and their parents are encouraged to attend.

Summer 2008 Quarterly Report

Economic Development:

• 1/2 cent county sales tax overwhelmingly passed for economic development
• Economic Development Corporation of Clark County formed and Executive Director Paul Harvel hired. Paul is currently the President of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. Shawnie Carrier has been hired as the Economic Development Director for Clark County. Shawnie is currently serving in Cross County’s economic development commission and Chamber of Commerce.
• The Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance was formed as the first ever county-wide united organization of the Economic Development Corporation, Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Gurdon Chamber of Commerce and CCIC using the CCSP plan as a guiding document.
• A Renewable Energy Task Force has been formed to research the use of wood by-products after a visit to the National Renewable Energy Lab in Colorado. Research has identified residual wood products left after harvesting trees as the source of power to generate electricity in the county.
• $165,000 in city clean-up funds donated to all interested cities and Arkadelphia has started Phase II of this effort. To date Gurdon has cleaned up 34 houses, has 25 more on the ready list. Arkadelphia has cleaned up 16 properties with 2 more on the pending list. Deaton’s Cleaners has been purchased and will be renovated into loft apartments. Gum Springs has used grant money for property clean-up.
• $90,000 grant submitted for construction of regional fire training center in industrial park
• $50,000 grant submitted for implementation of the Business Retention & Expansion Program (BR&E)
• An Arkadelphia city master plan has been completed with current efforts to improve the entry routes from the Interstate in progress
• Cranford-Johnson-Robinson-Woods, Arkansas’ Largest Advertising Firm has been hired to market Clark County
  

Education:

• 24/7 Daycare funded and is currently under construction - $1,000,000 received for the project
• Clark County Childcare, Inc. formed to oversee the operations of the new 24/7 daycare
• $45 million bond approved by OBU Board of Trustees for construction
• Peake Elementary awarded a $3,000 grant to purchase tables for outside classroom and playground equipment
• Gurdon Public Schools have completed an effort to raise money to build a new auditorium
• Henderson State University is preparing to construct a new and modern health and fitness center on Highway 7/67
• Henderson State University has made plans to expand their Nursing School
• The City of Arkadelphia and Ouachita Baptist University have completed a land swap to allow the beginning of a $45 million entrance and residence hall project on Ouachita’s campus; The Ouachita Bluff property which was acquired in this swap by Arkadelphia has already had preliminary work done by an architectural firm to develop the bluff area into a Caddo Indian and Outdoor Recreation Center.
  

Healthcare:

• Ambulance provided for Amity area in cooperation with Baptist Health
• Plans for physician in the Gurdon clinic in cooperation with Baptist Health
• Kindergarten Spring Round-up completely funded by United Way

Housing:

• Completion of Phase 1 of “The Gardens” retirement housing by Billy Bunn - a $7.5million project
• Groundbreaking for “Sommersett Housing Subdivision” on Highway 8 by SADC - a $2.5 million development project with total value of $18.5 million after construction of houses

Leadership:

• Steering Committee and Finance Committee formed for implementation of the CCSP
• Initial research has been done for a local Boys and Girls Club and a board of directors is being organized
• Planning process has been adopted and implementation started in 3 cities in Iraq based on the CCSP

Tourism:

• Donation of $500,000 building for the Clark County Tourist Information Center in Caddo Valley
• Furnishings and equipment support for the Clark County Historical Museum
• Streetscape Project continues on Clay Street in Arkadelphia with new sidewalks and lighting
• The Clark County “Round About Artist Tour” was given money for marketing and promotion of its 1st ever event
• A $100,000 grant for mountain bike and hiking trails at Lake DeGray has been submitted for consideration

Other:

• 2 full time staff positions have been provided to support the CCSP
• Over 150 county residents participate in monthly subcommittees meetings. The entire CCSP goals and action steps have been prioritized
• Future research needs developed for all 6 areas of CCSP interest and initial steps taken to start the process
• A CCSP Volunteer Brochure has been developed for use by local residents and groups who want to personally become involved in the efforts
  

Clark County Strategic Planning (CCSP) is a planning initiative for Clark County, Arkansas to address the future development of the area in the next 10 years.

• Clark County Strategic Plan Endorsements
• CCSP Vision Statement
• Final CCSP Document

Interested in Volunteering for a CCSP Project? CLICK HERE