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The Monticello Economic Development Commission met at noon at the Monticello Country Club on Wednesday, February 5.
Commission Chair Bennie Ryburn, III, stated that sales tax collection for the city of Monticello in January was $271,000. This is down a little less than $3,000 from 2024. County-wide, sales tax collection was $586,000, the same total collected in January 2024. Ryburn added that unemployment remains at four percent, and 7,357 of the 7,665 citizens in the labor force are currently employed.
MEDC Director Nita McDaniel gave her report next. She reported that Drew County Attorney, Cliff Gibson, is working closely with the Weyerhaeuser team to get all paperwork and documentation completed. Everything is on track with the project, and they hope to have a groundbreaking sometime in the month of May.
Projects 801, 1120, and 1127 have had no updates recently. McDaniel said that she continues to monitor them closely.
McDaniel added that in January she was able to attend an International Roundtable hosted by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
She said that there is nothing new to report on the Industrial Park, but there are some areas and issues that need to be addressed.
McDaniel also joined a Zoom call hosted by the Interstate 69 Alliance to discuss the status of the project. The call had representatives from Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, Kentucky, and Arkansas.
The commissioners approved McDaniel to enter into a one-year contract with Placer AI. This program was proposed to replace the retail consultant firm the MEDC had been using. Placer AI will use mobile data to provide statistical information to help recruit businesses and help current retailers maximize their potential as well. The program will also provide data that can be used by other city agencies such as the Monticello Police Department.
McDaniel also updated the job description for the full-time position her office is looking to hire.
With no further business, the MEDC adjourned until the first Wednesday in March.
