On Wednesday, August 2, the Monticello Economic Development Commission held their monthly meeting at the Monticello Country Club.
MEDC Director, Nita McDaniel gave a report on prospective business and industries. One of the industries that she has been in contact with has been in contact to state that they are looking at another site in Arkansas as their first location, but want to make Monticello a secondary location. Another of the prospects that McDaniel has been working with was officially announced as Delta Data Services. They will be operating in Cryptomining and high speed processing. There are several other prospective businesses that are highly interested in Monticello, but are trying to secure buildings that will serve their needs.
McDaniel also touched on the Scogin Drive Project which the Arkansas Department of Transportation awarded to Mobley Contractors. Construction is underway, and is expected to be completed in 2026.
There are currently four national retail brands that are interested in the Monticello market. Communication with them has been positive, and building information has been sent to them.
McDaniel also noted that construction has begun on the site where Arby’s will be located.
Brian Rodgers, City Property Inspector, said that he has been staying busy. He has had several properties come up under Ordinance 630 which is the Nuisance Property Ordinance. In July he presented two to the City Council, and will present three more in this month. There have also been 17 new cases fall under Ordinance 756 which deals with weeds, over grown grass, or trash. Two liens have been brought to the council as well. Rodgers also noted that the SNAP program is almost finished.
Bennie Ryburn, III reported that the work force in Drew County is currently 7,281. 7,041 are currently employed, while 240 are not employed. This puts the unemployment rate at 3.3 percent which continues a trend for the past several months. Lottery ticket sales in Drew Co. totaled $470,673. Sales tax collected in the city of Monticello was $234,158, which is down $4,610 from this time last year. County tax collection totaled $507,897 which was down $7,992 from last year.
