The Monticello Economic Development Commission (MEDC) opened the 2024 business year with their January Board meeting which was held at noon on Wednesday, January 3, at the Monticello Country Club.
MEDC Board Chairman Bennie Ryburn, III opened the meeting by stating that the sales tax collection in Monticello was $325,700 which was down from last year. Drew County collected $572,000 which is up from the $546,000 collected in 2022. Ryburn also noted that Lottery sales for the county were $432,000.
Nita McDaniel, Director of the MEDC, gave her report to the commission. She opened by stating that December was a very busy month. She reported that Project No. 602 has requested additional information and contacts. McDaniel said that she had responded to the request. Monticello is still on this prospect’s list for a secondary sight, but they are still looking elsewhere to establish their primary location.
Project No. 616 has been made inactive. This is the project that has been deemed “non-traditional” in the past. McDaniel said that she has reached out to the project manager at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) and asked them to reach out to see what is going on with the prospect, as no contact has been established in a long time.
Project No. 0110 has been extremely busy.
“They didn’t take a holiday break,” Ryburn said. “They’ve asked questions every day.”
This prospect wants to use the Intermodal site. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has informed McDaniel that there is $108,000 remaining from funds that were allocated to the Intermodal site’s construction. She said that the plan is to ask the prospect whether they would like it to be spent on renovations to the access road, or if they would prefer work be done to the handling and receiving areas. The funds have to go to one of these areas, but getting the business's input is vital.
Ryburn also requested that $25,000 be approved to offer to Project No. 0110. These monies would be offered as training fee offsets. Bradley County is being asked to match this amount which would make the incentives reach $50,000. Ryburn said that these monies would be included in the big package offered to the prospect. Ryburn added that this prospect is projected to bring in over 180 jobs and be an investment of $300,000,000-$400,000,000, making it one of the biggest prospects the MEDC has ever pursued.
Project No. 516 is the company that is interested in the Spec Building site.
The painting on the Jordan Drive Overpass will begin soon. Contractors will be contacted to begin the work.
The Scogin Drive Utilities relocation is underway. ARDOT says the project is 30 percent complete.
McDaniel said that she and a few others are still working to assist an existing industry with their on-the-job training program.
McDaniel also said that Arby’s used the large meeting room in the MEDC’s building for employee orientation and training. Arby’s was very appreciative to be able to have access to the facilities. McDaniel also took this time to invite everyone to Arby’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 4.
McDaniel also reported that the roof of the historic post office had a leak, and would need to be replaced.
It was also reported that the Ridgeway has three vacancies.
Dr. Peggy Doss, Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), expressed her sorrow over the loss of the Bragg family. She said that working with Don and Hope was a joy. Doss said that grief counselors were on site for faculty and staff, and would remain there for as long as they are needed. She also reported that students will return to classes on January 10.
Dr. Doss also announced that UAM had received the third-largest gift in the history of the university. The Andrea Hartley estate gifted $1.337 million which has been designated for forestry scholarships.
Baptist Health Medical Center-Drew County President, Scott Barrilleaux, gave a quick update stating that the first baby of 2024 was born on January 2. He added that the signage on the building will be changed out soon to reflect the Baptist Health name. He finished by saying all is going well, they are just adjusting to the merger, but he feels that this will be a good thing for the hospital and the people of Drew County.
Monticello Schools Superintendent, Sandra Lanehart echoed Dr. Doss’ sentiments on the Bragg family. She added that construction on the arena and building expansions are going well, and the crews are ahead of schedule.
Kimbraly Barnes, Drew Central Superintendent, said that the Commercial Bank Holiday Tournament was a big success. She noted that the construction of the Drew Central Elementary expansion was well underway. Barnes also wanted to stress that even though there is more than one high school and a university, the leadership of all three work together to make this community the best.
“We work with each other a lot,” Barnes said. “What you see here is a strong team.”
“Everything is going good,” replied County Judge Jessie Griffin when asked for an update on the county.
Monticello Mayor Jason Akers stated that the city had started three new infrastructure projects on January 3. The first was working on the Bowser Road pump station. This project will hopefully move some of the water that pools up in the Falls Street area. The second project was the Scogin Drive utilities relocation. The third project was mandated by the state and requires the city to make changes to the aerators in the west waste plant. Another project that should go out for bids soon is to repair the headwork at the west plant. Akers said that the renovations to the Conrad Street water tower should have been finished, but that weather had put the crews a little behind schedule. He hopes to see this project finished within the next two weeks.
“We’re knocking these projects out one at a time and trucking along,” Akers said.
