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Fall 2008 Quarterly Report

Clark County Economic Development Terms:

CCSP: Clark County Strategic Plan – the organization of volunteer county residents who have written a strategic plan for the county and are now in the process of implementation through committees

EDCCC: Economic Development Corporation of Clark County – the organization of County Judge appointed members who oversee the usage of the ½ cent county sales tax money for economic development

CCIC: Clark County Industrial Council – the former economic development organization of the county which now is merged with all other organizations. This organization still owns the industrial parks properties

AREDA: Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance – the overall organization of all county entities both public and private. This organization uses the area name of Arkadelphia for marketing purposes only.

C of C: Chamber of Commerce – the city based organization which primarily exists to recruit and support retail businesses and promote the entire city

SWATLC: Southwest Arkansas Technology Learning Center - a workforce training consortium of local industry, education and training providers focused on the continuous development of a well trained, competent existing and emerging workforce for Clark County and the surrounding area.

Subcommittee Reports:

Economic Development:

• GDS Associates, Inc chosen to prepare a feasibility study for renewable energy power generation in Clark County, funding is being sought through grant opportunities to fund study
• Transportation Meeting with Arkansas Legislators held in Clark County to feature the transportation needs and the overview of the CCSP efforts
• Amity Chamber of Commerce formed and sponsoring events for the public
• OBU awarded $54,000 grant from Southern Bancorp to pay for signage to the new entrance
• Clark County leaders attended the Governor’s Summit on Education and Economic Development. Clark County had the largest delegation of attendees at the summit.
• The EDCCC has responded to 4 site selection proposals during the last quarter

Education:

• 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.
• “What’s Next?” Educational Forum took place at OBU to educate students and parents on opportunities for college, vocation and work force opportunities upon high school graduation. The next event will be held in the spring at HSU.

Healthcare:

• Baptist Health is providing a physician in the Gurdon clinic one day a week every two weeks
• Significant progress being made towards the charitable clinic, local healthcare providers have committed support

Housing:

• Proposal for a county-wide housing survey submitted

Leadership:

• Initial research has been done for a local Boys and Girls Club and a board of directors is in place; fundraising campaign being planned
• Leadership Clark County has been created and started in October and will run through June 2009 for the first class of 24 participants.

Tourism:

• Donation of $500,000 building for the Diamond Lakes and Clark County Tourist Information Center in Caddo Valley
• 2025 Commission Streetscape Project continues on Clay Street in Arkadelphia with new sidewalks and lighting
• The Clark County “Round About Artist Tour” was awarded $7,500 by Southern Bancorp for marketing and promotion of its 2nd annual event held the weekend of October 17th.
• A $100,000 grant for mountain bike and hiking trails at Lake DeGray has been submitted for consideration
• Tourist Center in Caddo Valley to be named Diamond Lakes Regional Tourist Center; funding opportunities for operation cost is being researched
• Caddo Indian Tribal Council has given approval to move forward with the Caddo Indian Heritage Center to be housed on the bluff overlooking the Ouachita River; funding opportunities are being researched.

Other:

• A CCSP Volunteer Brochure has been developed for use by local residents and groups who want to personally become involved in the efforts

Local Foundation Reports:

Alcoa Foundation:

• $15,000 grant to Clark County for the fencing needs of the future Regional Fire Training Center to be housed in the Clark County Industrial Park.
• $15,000 grant to the Arkadelphia Human Development Centerpurchase recycling equipment for a recycling center.The recyclingoffers services to small and medium sized businesses located in Arkadelphia and the surrounding communities.

Cabe Foundations: (C. Louis Cabe Foundation; Mary C. Cabe Foundation; Horace Cabe Foundation)

• College scholarships for graduating seniors from Gurdon High School
• Support of the Gurdon School District----
• Band and Athletics programs
• Books to update primary reading program and libraries
• Kindergarten camp
• Support of the “Close Up” program which enables GHS juniors or seniors to go to Washington, D.C. for a week
• Continued support of City of Gurdon
• Continued support of Group Living, Inc.
• Cabe Library
• Continued support of Adult Senior Center of Gurdon
• “Give Me A Chance Equine Rescue” of Amity
• Brandon Burlsworth Foundation—Helps Gurdon students in need of eye exams and glasses
• Arkansas Rice Depot- Backpacks for Kids program for Gurdon students/Both foundations support this program

Olds Foundation:

Education and Youth

• Provided advanced technology for Centerpoint School district through purchase of Smart Boards, computers and laptops. Also provided technology to enable Kirby Schools to offer distance learning.
• Provides books for Centerpoint and Kirby School libraries
• Sponsorship of AETN computer camp for Centerpoint and Kirby 4th and 5th graders
• Provides support to Baptist Medical Foundation which pays tuition for a UAMS medical student and nursing student. Students must commit to work in Clark County after graduation.
• Support of Kairos Torch Prison Ministry
• Support of Caddo Career Consortium by purchasing Centerpoint FFA Farm and equipment
• Supports National Park Nursing Endowment (provides financial support to Centerpoint and Glenwood students)
• Continued support of Clark County Youth Sheriff’s Ranch
• Continued support of Group Living, Inc.
• Purchase of playground equipment for Amity City Park
• College scholarships for graduating seniors from Centerpoint and Kirby Schools

Ross Foundation:

• $30,000 grant to Audubon Arkansas that will provide field science experience and training that focuses on forest lands to educators and students.Arkadelphia Public Schools and surrounding schools will be participating in this project.
• $20,000 grant to Baptist Health Medical Center – Arkadelphia to purchase a Digital Computerized Tomography Dual Injector that will provide physicians and caregivers with a more efficient, safer method of injecting contrast solutions wile performing vital diagnostic tests.

Sturgis Foundation:

• Scholarships for higher education

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