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The Monticello Economic Development Commission received encouraging updates on industrial recruitment, infrastructure improvements and ongoing efforts to attract new businesses during its regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Monticello Country Club.
Commission Chairman Bennie Ryburn, III called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m., where much of the discussion centered on the progress of infrastructure improvements supporting Weyerhaeuser's investment in Monticello, along with several additional industrial prospects currently considering the community.
One of the most significant developments was the official notification of a federal grant award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support construction of a new water well serving the Weyerhaeuser project.
The $1.85 million grant represents an important step toward completing infrastructure improvements associated with the company's operations.
Commission members learned that the Intermodal Authority has already begun the process of securing engineering services for the project. Advertisements requesting statements of qualifications from engineering firms appeared Oct. 7 in the Advance, and are scheduled to run again Oct. 14.
Engineering firms have until Oct. 30 at 11:30 a.m. to submit their qualifications. The Intermodal Authority is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. that afternoon to review the submissions and select a firm.
The timeline is particularly important because the project is currently scheduled for completion by April 2027.
Additional engineering work must be completed before the project can be advertised for construction bids. All phases of the project must also comply with federal grant requirements.
Beyond the water well project, several additional financial commitments associated with Weyerhaeuser remain in various stages of completion.
Approximately $13,060 in Intermodal Authority infrastructure funding remains available for eligible project expenses. The city of Monticello also has a $300,000 infrastructure commitment that could support planning and improvements associated with a new access road and railroad crossing.
The commission is also working to close out remaining workforce development funding associated with the project.
While the Weyerhaeuser project continues moving forward, Monticello remains under consideration for several additional industrial developments.
Commission members received updates on multiple recruitment efforts, including projects identified by confidential development names.
Project Sentinel remains active, with discussions involving property owners continuing as of Sept. 21. Additional information requested by the prospective company has been provided.
Two other projects, identified as Project 7826 and Project 71526, have received favorable feedback following submissions through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Although no definite timelines have been established for either project, Monticello remains among the sites being considered.
Another prospect, Project Restart, visited Monticello on Sept. 15 to evaluate an existing building for a potential business relocation.
The visit reportedly went well, with company representatives providing positive feedback about the community and available property.
The project could involve an approximately 18-month development timeline, although no final decision date has been announced.
Other opportunities, including Project Divine and Project Initiative, continue to be monitored.
An additional recruitment lead call is scheduled for Oct. 15.
Commission members also discussed the challenges of competing for industrial projects against other Arkansas communities.
Among those challenges are workforce availability, state incentive requirements and transportation infrastructure.
However, the commission heard that some manufacturers appear to be placing less emphasis on proximity to interstate highways than in previous years, potentially opening additional opportunities for communities such as Monticello.
Recent activity on the state's industrial property marketing platform also suggests increased interest in the area.
The Intermodal Authority's remaining industrial property, consisting of slightly less than 30 acres, recorded 71 views during the reporting period.
Another available industrial building received 48 views, while an economic development site received 33 views. A speculative building received seven views.
Although online interest does not guarantee future investment, the increased activity was described as encouraging.
The commission also discussed whether to change its approach to recruiting additional retail businesses.
The MEDC currently utilizes Placer.ai, a market analytics platform that provides information about consumer traffic patterns, customer origins and other economic activity.
The information has proven useful in identifying where Monticello's retail customers originate and in providing supporting data for industrial recruitment efforts.
The technology has also helped local officials better understand the use of public facilities, including city parks.
However, commission members discussed the advantages of working with Retail Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in connecting communities with retail developers and national businesses.
The firm maintains relationships with developers and participates in industry events that would otherwise require significant travel expenses and staff time for local economic development personnel.
The current Placer.ai subscription is scheduled to expire in February 2027.
Before that time, the commission expects to compile updated annual reports to preserve useful market information.
The possibility of returning to Retail Strategies under a one-year agreement was discussed, but no final decision was announced.
The commission has also begun promoting a retail recruitment video through social media, targeting markets where developers working in Arkansas are located.
Transportation infrastructure continues to be an important component of the commission's economic development strategy.
Members learned that the Warren City Council recently approved a resolution supporting efforts to return improvements to Interstate 530 to the state's transportation improvement program.
The effort focuses in part on completing an approximately 11-mile gap in the highway corridor.
Additional resolutions from communities throughout southeast Arkansas are being sought to strengthen regional support for the project.
The commission also discussed a bipartisan congressional effort to establish the Congressional Future Interstates Caucus.
The proposed caucus would advocate for dedicated, predictable federal funding for planning and construction of congressionally authorized future interstate highways.
Commission members approved a motion supporting correspondence to Arkansas' congressional delegation encouraging participation in the effort.
The commission also received an updated accounting of grant funding obtained through its economic development activities.
According to MEDC Director, Nita McDaniel, the MEDC has helped secure a total of $16,120,383.54 in grant funding for the city of Monticello during its professional economic development services agreement.
The latest total includes the $1.85 million EDA award for the Weyerhaeuser water well project and a $166,520 site development grant through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
The commission also reported that a new revolving loan for RNS Logistics closed Sept. 1, with the first payment scheduled for Oct. 1.
Additional business development activities included two existing industry engagements during September and continued efforts to promote local manufacturers.
The commission is requesting updated brochures, promotional materials and displays from area manufacturers for inclusion in its economic development office.
September's small business spotlight featured Beer’s Hometown Appliances, with another local business feature currently in development.
The meeting also included reports concerning improvements at the Monticello airport and activities at local educational institutions.
Airport officials reported that work on a federally funded hangar project is substantially complete, with only minor items remaining.
Engineering is also underway for a new 12,000-gallon aboveground aviation fuel tank.
Approximately $395,000 in funding was reported for the project, including $300,000 from the Arkansas Division of Aeronautics.
Additional airport improvements include signage installation and the relocation of windsocks.
Alex Becker of the University of Arkansas at Monticello reported on a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for Forest Health Research Center attended by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with university rodeo activities and upcoming homecoming events.
Drew Central Superintendent Nancy Chapman also shared positive news concerning academic performance.
The district's overall state accountability rating improved from a C to a B, while Drew Central High School earned an A rating.
The high school also received recognition for ranking among the state's top 5% in academic growth in mathematics and English language arts.
Additional awards recognized achievement and growth at schools throughout the district.
Chapman credited the accomplishments to the combined efforts of students, teachers, administrators, parents and the community.
The commission concluded its meeting following the reports and discussion of ongoing development opportunities.
