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Monticello economic development officials continue to pursue several industrial prospects while also joining a broader effort to push for improved highway access in Southeast Arkansas.
Those efforts highlighted Wednesday’s noon meeting of the Monticello Economic Development Commission, where members received updates on industrial recruitment, Weyerhaeuser’s growing presence in the community and the continuing push to return the proposed Interstate 530 extension to the state’s transportation improvement plan.
Monticello Economic Development Executive Director Nita McDaniel told commissioners that MEDC continues working with several prospective industries, although many remain in confidential stages of the recruitment process.
Some prospects are awaiting responses after MEDC submitted information, while others remain in negotiations or various stages of consideration.
McDaniel also discussed what she called “Project Initiative,” a prospect she has pursued after identifying what she believes could be a good match for infrastructure and utilities already available in Drew County.
While the unnamed project would not necessarily create a large number of jobs, McDaniel said the potential investment and revenue generated by the project could make it significant for the county.
McDaniel recently spoke with a company representative and provided information showing that a site in Drew County could potentially accommodate the project.
“I am doing everything I can when I see an opportunity to win this,” McDaniel said.
Meanwhile, one of Monticello’s largest economic development projects is beginning to move from construction toward employment.
McDaniel said Weyerhaeuser will use MEDC’s large conference room as the company begins employment-related activities associated with its new Monticello facility.
The company has already begun filling management positions, she said, with hiring expected to increase as the project moves closer to operation.
Construction at the facility also continues to progress.
The project represents a major investment in Monticello and Drew County and is expected to become an increasingly visible part of the local economy as construction advances and additional employees are hired.
MEDC is also continuing its efforts to recruit additional industries while maintaining relationships with businesses already operating in the area.
McDaniel said she had emails, telephone calls or visits with existing industries during August and recently met with professionals involved in real estate and site development.
Those visitors offered positive assessments of the development activity they saw in Monticello.
“It’s always encouraging to hear from professionals in the real estate development arena say that we’re doing good, like we’re doing a good job in what we’re doing,” McDaniel said.
She said the feedback was reassuring that Monticello is moving in the right direction.
Transportation infrastructure also took a prominent place in Wednesday’s discussion, particularly the longstanding effort to improve the highway connection between Monticello and the existing Interstate 530 corridor.
The Monticello City Council recently unanimously approved a resolution supporting improvements to the approximately 11-mile stretch needed to advance the project.
Mayor Jason Akers said Wednesday the resolution is intended to remind state leaders that Southeast Arkansas continues to need infrastructure investment.
“When people get to Little Rock, they forget about Southeast Arkansas,” Akers said.
The mayor said Monticello officials want state leaders to know the community is paying attention and expects the region’s transportation needs to receive consideration.
“South Arkansas, again, Southeast Arkansas gets forgotten, and the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” Akers said.
The resolution will be distributed to state legislators and other officials.
McDaniel encouraged other municipalities and county governments in the region to consider adopting similar resolutions and suggested MEDC could consider its own resolution at a future meeting.
The immediate goal remains getting the I-530 project returned to the state transportation improvement plan. Until that happens, McDaniel said there is little that can be done to advance the project.
Regional cooperation could strengthen Southeast Arkansas’ case, particularly as neighboring states continue work associated with Interstate 69 and other federally authorized transportation corridors.
McDaniel also reported that work at MEDC’s historic former post office building is substantially complete and encouraged commissioners to visit the facility.
At the Ridgeway, repairs to the elevator tower appear to have greatly reduced a leak that had been causing problems, though MEDC will continue monitoring the building.
Commissioners also heard reports from several community partners, with Akers providing updates on a number of city projects.
Monticello’s large waterline project connecting city wells with the recently annexed area along U.S. 278 is awaiting Arkansas Department of Health approval.
The city has accepted a bid for the restoration and renovation of City Hall, with work expected to begin within the next several months.
Expansion of the Monticello Sports Complex is also underway. Akers said he hopes the work can be completed by November, weather permitting.
Plans are also moving forward for expansion of the city swimming pool. The city has decided not to include a splash pad in the immediate project because the city may have an opportunity to seek separate grant funding for one later.
Looking toward the holiday season, Akers announced that this year’s Home for the Holidays festivities are expected to include an ice skating rink beneath the large pavilion at City Park.
The proposal has already generated considerable interest on social media.
“We’ve never done it before, so we’re gonna mess some stuff up,” Akers joked. “But I think it’s gonna be, in the end, a really fun thing for our community.”
Commissioners also received updates from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, local schools and health care representatives before concluding Wednesday’s meeting.
