‘Little Homes’ idea has big potential

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‘Little Homes’ idea has big potential

Many of us have this preconceived notion that small town rural America is a thing of the past, using examples such as many of the small and once prosperous farming communities such as Crawfordsville, Earle, Turrell, Gilmore and many others along the farm rich delta region of Arkansas.

There are exceptions, such as what nearby Crawfordsville is doing to attract newcomers with its “middle-class” subdivision just off Highway 74, and what community leaders do annually by putting together one of the most popular festivals in the entire delta that attracts hundreds of visitors from throughout the Mid-South.

And, look what the once dying town of Wilson looks like today where one visionary investor poured millions of dollars into revitalizing a once thriving farming town into a major attraction that even includes a private school as well as the Wilson Cafe that attracts diners from all over the Delta and even Memphis.

So, let’s not be led to believe that with the right community leadership, commitment and a desire to inspire others that towns such as Earle and others can’t become what they once were.

For many years now, Earle has struggled with the loss of its main employer, Earle Industries, the once popular “Mad Butcher” grocery store, as well as a once thriving downtown business district.

Here of late, Earle has been coping with a loss of population as well as inept politicians unable to do anything but create additional problems.

But, that could all change if its mayor, Sherman Smith, can inspire fellow elected representatives and community leaders to take advantage of some unique opportunities.

For example, Smith invited Turrell Mayor Dorothy Cooper to a recent council meeting where she introduced Bill Joe Denton, a Wilson farmer who has created an unique housing manufacturing company that is having a major economic impact on small towns throughout the Delta region struggling to regain their identity.

Denton told Earle leaders his business is aimed at creating affordable homes that can be pre-manufactured and placed on vacant lots in order to revitalize rundown neighborhoods and attract new residents.

Denton built 30 homes in the small town of Bassett and now building them next door in Kieser, with plans to offer these homes in other towns such as Earle.

One of the key factors in rebuilding a community is to provide affordable housing, which Denton says is in high demand right now.

The concept is certainly not unique but the way Denton is personally promoting his affordable housing to small and struggling towns such as Earle, Bassett, Keiser and others, is brilliant.

Now, it is up to Mayor Smith and the entire community to come up with a way to partner with Denton as well as property owners of vacant and run-down lots within the city.

This can be a game-changer for Earle, especially in light of voters just approving a millage increase to build a new elementary school. Earle has a chance to turn things around economically and we hope there are those within the leadership ranks to make this opportunity happen.