VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Community and Regional Success Stories
Arkadelphia and the Tornado of 97 Have Moved On March 2004
Exciting things are happening in Arkadelphia, as the community
continues to renew and rebuild itself after the devastating tornado
of March 1, 1997. "We are growing and changing," states Blain Smith,
Executive Director of the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce. "We had
$64.7 million in new construction since March 1997, including new
housing, city projects, and private investment. This is
$5,581/resident, which is extraordinary."
Smith described several projects currently underway in Arkadelphia:
The Clark County Community Foundation is now active and enrolled
in the Arkansas Community Foundation Partners Program.
A potential developer has been found for a vacant Wal-Mart
building, with the possibility of installing an 8-screen movie
theater, restaurants, and a childrens play station. The tax
scenario is so favorable that the developer comes out almost as well
by donating the building to the community foundation as by selling
the building.
A streetscape project that includes landscaping, lighting, and
parking lots is underway, funded from a special legislative
appropriation.
Arkadelphia is working with the highway department to get new
exits on I-30 at Country Club Road.
Last summer our new $3.5 million aquatic park opened, with
swimming pool and water slides. The 1-cent sales tax for six years
also funded basketball courts, a riverfront park, and a new
recreation building.
A group is looking to extend the sales tax to build a sports
complex that would include soccer, softball and baseball facilities,
as well as a fishing pond that is accessible to the handicapped.
The Clark County Historical Society has opened a new Clark County
Historical Museum in the city-owned railroad depot.
"Our experience with VISION 2010 was unique, as it took place
after the tornado," comments Smith. "VISION 2010 helped us build a broader
base for our existing vision, and helped us get more people
involved." Smith compares the process of rebuilding Arkadelphia to
"surfing on a tidal wave." "The VISION 2010 process helped us secure
our footing on the board better than before," he explains. "VISION
2010 can do as much to increase momentum as to initiate momentum. I
look at us as a quilting bee, and everyone is sewing their little
part. We have woven together the fabric of the community."
Garment Makers Continue to Leave
In a blow to several VISION 2010 communities, Aalfs Manufacturing,
which makes blue jeans, recently indicated it will be closing 4
Arkansas plants this December. The communities directly affected
include Mena (500 jobs), Arkadelphia (120 jobs), Malvern (106 jobs),
and Glenwood (98 jobs). Our sympathy goes to those affected by these
layoffs. The global forces and trends we have discussed in VISION
2010 continue to have major impacts on Arkansas communities, as
low-skill, low-wage jobs depart for other countries.
Arkadelphia Engages Community Organizations
Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Blain Smith
reports that their steering committee is developing a library of
existing organizations. Over 30 community organizations have been
identified, and the steering committee is now extending an
invitation to these groups to identify their primary concerns and
plans for the future. This will likely lead to 3 to 5 primary focus
areas, with a priority of helping community organizations see where
they overlap, what gaps exist, and how can they work better
together.
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