The Monticello Economic Development Commission met at noon on Wednesday, November 6 at the Monticello Country Club. Commission Chair, Bennie Ryburn, III reported that in the month of October, the city of Monticello collected $282,642 in sales tax. Drew County collected $616,974 during October. Lottery sales totaled $393,000. The unemployment rate came in at 4.4 percent with 7,154 people employed out of the 7,525 available in the labor force.
Nita McDaniel, MEDC Director, gave her report next. Project No. 0110 continues to move forward. The Quorum Court passed a resolution agreeing to support the prospect’s efforts in Drew County. The company, which to date has remained unnamed, is expected to have a press release on November 18 or 19. At that time the entity will be known and further plans can be made to move the project forward.
Project No. 530 has made no more contact with McDaniel and Project No. 501 is being made inactive due to their lack of communication as well.
Project No. 801 is at a standstill. The site selection process has been paused for the time being. Once this process is initiated again, talks can proceed.
McDaniel expressed gratitude to the county road department for building a gate at the Industrial Park.
Retail recruitment is going strong. There are a lot of prospects out, and offers are being submitted regularly.
The Scogin Drive project is still on schedule.
Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home was named the October Small Business Spotlight winner. The winner for November has not been decided yet.
Ryburn reported that runway lights and signage are set to be replaced at the airport. They are also going to order new wind socks for the end of the runway. Pafford is able to make use of a new portable fuel tank, allowing them to fuel up at their hangar, saving time and fuel in the process.
Dr. Landon Grimes reported that the University of Arkansas at Monticello had a busy October. He added that the football team will play their final game of the season against in-state rival Southern Arkansas University on Saturday, November 16.
With nothing further on the agenda, the meeting was dismissed until December.
