District 96 state Rep. Sonia Barker and SEACBEC Director Devin McDiarmid gave updates to Bradley County Economic Development Corp. board members Monday night.
Barker grew up in El Dorado but has lived in Smackover for the past 26 years. She is serving her fourth term in the General Assembly, with a new term starting this year in the redistricted District 96, which now includes part of Bradley County, along with portions of Union, Ouachita, Calhoun, Dallas and Cleveland counties.
Top photo: District 96 state Rep. Sonia Barker addressed Bradley County Economic Development Corp. board of directors Monday. Shown, from left, are Barker, Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney and Dana Poindexter of Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Photo by Tim Kessler.
By Tim Kessler
Saline River Chronicle Contributor
She is the chairwoman of the House Aging, Children and Youth, Military and Legislative Affairs Committee, and serves on the House Education Committee and Legislative Joint Auditing Committee.
A former schoolteacher in Smackover, she was asked many questions about the LEARNS Act. “Obviously, no one knows how this will go,†she said. “I believe the parent should have the most say in where their child should go.â€
“This was the most efficient and streamlined (session),†she said.
McDiarmid noted ABC preschool is “maxed out,†with 120 students and a waiting list. SEACBEC added Fordyce to the schools it incorporates. A total of 86 students are receiving college credits. Mainline Health Systems added an in-school clinic at SEACBEC. There are 150 Warren students taking robotics classes.
Attending the meeting were Chairman Dr. Bob Smalling and board members Carlton Davis, Hugh Allen Quimby, James Wells, John Lipton, McDiarmid, Morgan Richardson Meeks and Jon Stone. Also attending were accountant Bob Milton, Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney, Warren Mayor Gregg Reep, Banks Mayor Keeton Hudson, Hermitage Mayor Matthew Cathey, Bradley County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Terrie White and Dana Poindexter of Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
In other action:
- Milton gave the financial report showing $889,000 in current assets and total assets of $916,380. Lease income of $500 was received in July but the organization had a net loss of $6,223 for the year.
- Smalling said a land swap was being considered for a prospect with 45 acres behind the chip mill being traded for 12 acres that are in better condition along the railroad tracks on the BCEDC property. The prospect would make use of several railroad cars at the site. Smalling said the Executive Committee had met with the prospect through a Zoom conference call.
- Reep said demolition of several historic buildings in Warren had been completed along with clean-up. He said he was working with two businesses that will occupy existing buildings soon.
He is starting work on the 2024 budget. The city hopes to pave several streets before the end of the year. The city is also working on improving Internet access.
- Hudson said his city is working on a FUN park grant and a Fire Department grant. He was recently appointed to the Southeast Arkansas Community Action Corp. board.
- McKinney said 80 percent of the county has access to fiber optic Internet services. By October 2025, he expects the north part of the county to get access through Windstream.
- Poindexter noted AEDC is working with Arkansas Connect to get fiber optic Internet services throughout the state. She also said training is planned on community readiness and site readiness.
- Cathey said some Hermitage roads will be paved in October. An addition to the Fire Department is planned. Some work is being done in the City Park.
- Lipton announced the former Piggly Wiggly store building had been sold to Dollar General who will use the 40,000 square foot facility. He also noted the Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority has listed its acreage with Arkansas Business and the group is working with two industrial prospects.
- White said the Bradley County Fair will be held Sept. 6-9. It will include the Market On Main at the Tomato Shed. A Fall Festival is planned at the Tomato Shed on Oct. 28.