County, city officials announce major cooperative resolution

County, city officials announce major cooperative resolution

Communities pledge cooperative economic development efforts, including new 1,800- acre Mega Site

news@theeveningtimes.com

Signaling a fresh spirit of cooperation between communities, the Crittenden County Quorum Court, the city of Marion, and the city of West Memphis have each passed a cooperative economic development resolution. Representatives of all three groups announced the joint resolution to promote 1,800 acres of undeveloped land near Interstate 40 as a Mega Site for large industrial projects and to cooperate on its development and promotion.

On hand for the announcement were Mike Preston, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission; Bill Johnson, Mayor of West Memphis; Woody Wheeless, Crittenden County Judge; Tracy Brick, president of the Marion Chamber of Commerce and economic development director; and Danny Games, director of business and economic development for Entergy Arkansas.

“I told the city council when we discussed this initiative that we are investing resources in a project that we have no guarantee will come to fruition,” said Johnson. “But if we do nothing, we are guaranteed that nothing will happen.”

“We want to make our mark on the economic future of Eastern Arkansas,” said Wheeless. “By working together as government bodies and partnering with AEDC and Entergy through the Select Site program, we are doing everything we can to bring development to this part of the state.”

Select Site is an initiative designed to provide Entergy Arkansas-served communities with a competitive advantage. This developmental and promotional tool allows communities to certify sites using a set of comprehensive and pre-determined criteria to satisfy site location searches by consultants and companies. The 50-point checklist establishes confidence for a potential project that a location is suitable for their needs and shovel-ready.

The 1800 acre Mega Site is expected to be certified within 60-90 days.

Mayor Frank Fogleman was out of town during the announcement but offered the following comment, “This is a significant time for Crittenden County and Eastern Arkansas. All of these groups are pulling in the same direction for what we hope will be substantial economic growth for our communities. This will be a win-win for all residents of each city, our county, and the entire region.” State Senator Keith Ingram (D-District 24), who has always played an active role in economic development

in Crittenden County

provided the following comments, “Today's announcement demonstrates the importance of cooperation. Because Crittenden County, the city of Marion and the city of West Memphis decided to work together, the citizens of each jurisdiction will do much more than merely get along with each other. They will grow and prosper together.” He added, “It's a good example of what Michael Jordan, the great basketball player, was talking about when he said that individual talent wins ball games, but teamwork wins championships. In this case, the trophy will be the certification of 1,800 acres as a Mega Site, with the potential to attract a super project of such magnitude that the Mid-South will never be the same.”

The resolution passed by all three government bodies calls for support for the Mega Site and authorizes the mayors and county judge to cooperate with each other, Entergy and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to promote the site and adjacent available lands for development.

“This is exactly the kind of cooperation that makes Arkansas an attractive place for businesses to locate and grow,” said Preston. “Companies look for areas where they can confidently partner with communities and build on their strengths. This site, Crittenden County, and eastern Arkansas have a lot of potential for growth, and we are looking forward to more good things to come.”

By the Evening Times News Staff