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Turtle Creek traffic keeps on increasing BY CURT HODGES SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — The number of shoppers at The Mall at Turtle Creek continue to increase, topping 10 million last year, despite a national recession, marketing director Sarah McGavran said. The mall’s big anchor stores, bevy of specialty shops and a large food court have driven the numbers up since the mall opened in 2006, she said. And so far in 2010 figures continue to rise, she said. “Things are really good. Traffic is up,” McGavran said. Traffic numbers from 2008 and 2009 showed a 6-percent increase, and so far in 2010 the numbers are nearing 7 percent. In 2009 more than 10 million shoppers visited the mall, she said.
Shopping habits Mall officials are also seeing changing trends in shopping. Store operators are reporting that people
are spending a little more on quality and buying better clothing they know will provide years of use and be a better value. McGavran said that although the larger tenants, such as Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, Target and Best
‘Things are really good. Traffic is up.’ Sarah McGavran marketing director, The Mall at Turtle Creek Buy don’t report to them, conversations indicate definite increases in traffic and sales this year. McGavran said there are a few empty slots in the mall where Steve and Barry’s, Anne Taylor and J. Jill were. But mall officials have received interest in the former Steve and Barry’s location, and a potential tenant is looking into combining both the J. Jill and Anne Taylor spaces. While nothing definite
has been reported, McGavran is encouraged by the interest in the spaces. She said David Hocker and Associates, which also operates the Barnes Crossing Mall in Tupelo, Miss., has reported similar increases in traffic. J.C. Penney, Dillard’s and Target are the mall’s main anchor stores, with Barnes & Noble and Bed Bath & Beyond as junior anchors. The mall features more than 70 stores, a food court and restaurants in the mall and at outlots on the perimeter property. There is an indoor play area for small children, who must be at or below a certain height to participate. Children also must be accompanied by a parent or other adult during visits to the play forest, which was provided by St. Bernards Medical Center.
Replaced Indian Mall The Mall at Turtle Creek essentially replaced Indian Mall, which was built in 1967. Indian Mall quickly became the place to be on
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
From left, Preston Portis helps Michael Sharp and Genesis Watkins shop for a new television in Best Buy at Jonesboro on Oct. weekends, for families to socialize and shop. As the population grew, the need for a new and larger shopping center became apparent to the Warmack family of Texarkana, owners of Indian Mall. They bought land on Southwest Drive and cleared it for a proposed Southern Hills Mall. But Southern Hills was never built, opening up an opportunity for local businessman Bruce Burrow of MBC Holdings to begin researching the construction of a mall-type shopping center on a former
21, the evening before the store’s grand opening.
75-acre cow pasture at East Highland Drive and Stadium Boulevard. He soon began construction on the $100 million shopping center. After three years of building, Target and J.C. Penney both opened in late 2005. Dillard’s opened its store early in 2006 followed by a complete mall opening in March 2006.
‘Main Street’ mall The mall is somewhat symmetric in shape. The developers wanted to give the mall a “Main
Street” look with the anchor and “mid-anchors” having storefronts that face Highland Drive. When it was opened, The Mall at Turtle Creek became the fifth largest mall in Arkansas in terms of square footage, with a total 750,000 square feet, 230,000 of it for retail space. MBC Holdings also bought Indian Mall, where Sears remains, and announced future plans to raze the site and build another mall. curth@jonesborosun.com
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Despite downturn retail outlets open BY ANTHONY CHILDRESS SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — Retail business has slowed a bit in Northeast Arkansas during the economic downturn over the past year or so, but new shopping opportunities still remain a viable option in the region. Ashley Furniture Homestore has opened its new doors at 1843 East Highland Drive, next to Hobby Lobby. The home-furnishing retailer signed a 10-year, $2 million lease for space in the Bernard Court Shopping Center, occupying space formerly used by now-defunct Goody’s Family Clothing. “It represents a nice, natural fit for us. We are excited about being part of this community and serving the people who shop here,” said Shaun Roberts, senior regional manager for Saltillo, Miss.-based Ashley’s
franchisee Spencer Enterprises. The new store, which occupies 25,000 square feet in the east end of the shopping center, opened in February. Roberts said the company did its homework, and when it came time to expand, the first expansion was into Jonesboro. The new location is a full-line Ashley center and features Sealy bedding in its line of merchandise. Roberts said Spencer Enterprises operates Ashley stores in Memphis, Jackson and Chattanooga in Tennessee; Tupelo, Miss.; and Bowling Green, Ky. Bernard Court is one of two Jonesboro centers owned by New York-based Stonemar Properties. The Ashley announcement completes the leasing of the center, a major portion of which was vacated when Goody’s closed. Along with Ashley and Hobby Lobby, the court
is home to Shoe Carnival, which extended its lease to keep space occupied in the complex. To that end, Hobby Lobby has expanded to encompass another 12,000 square feet. Along with the Crossroads Shopping Center, Bernard Court is located in a major trade center for 350,000 people in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. The property is shadow-anchored by a top-grossing Wal-Mart Supercenter and is located just three-quarters of a mile from The Mall at Turtle Creek, a recently opened 750,000-square-foot regional shopping mall that draws consumers from across NEA, Southern Missouri and Western Tennessee.
Barton’s of Paragould New space dots the landscape in the Greene County seat.
Barton’s of Paragould opened at 1000 Country Club Road on March 1213. Store Manager Matt Gordon said it represents another signal that Barton’s is committed to maintaining a strong retail presence in the region. The store’s parent company — E.C. Barton and Co. — got its start as a grocery store in Jonesboro in 1885. To date, Barton’s operates stores in 14 states. Divisions are Barton’s, Surplus Warehouse, Grossman’s Bargain Outlet, Builders Material Company, E.C.B. Brokerage and Surplus Purchasing.
officials, such as Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce PresidentChief Executive Officer Mark Young, cite the stable retail environment as one that has helped keep the area in a better position than other parts of the state and nation. anthony@jonesborosun.com
‘We are excited about being part of this community and serving the people who shop here.’ Shaun Roberts senior regional manager, Spencer Enterprises
Around NEA New retail locations and businesses have sprung up around the region, including eateries like Pizza Hut, Sonic Drive-In and other food establishments. Economic development
Saundra Sovick | The Sun Saundra Sovick | The Sun
The final displays and finishing touches are completed in Barton’s at Paragould on Jan. 15.
Dannelle Rogers measures the dimensions of furniture in the Ashley Furniture Homestore at Jonesboro on Wednesday.
Area businesses make additions, change locations BY SHERRY F. PRUITT SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — A retail shopping leader in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri, Jonesboro features area shopping centers that have a rich assortment of stores and shops throughout the hub of region. Other unique standalone stores and service providers are stuck in the nooks and crannies of this city of more than 60,000. Many Jonesboro businesses, such as Back Beat Music, Posey Peddler and Harris Furniture, are owned by native or longtime residents of the city, but other companies came to Jonesboro because they saw a need and a market for services they offer. Together, both types complement the City of Jonesboro.
Back Beat Back Beat Music relocated on March 1 to 613 Southwest Drive, the former Arkla Gas building, owner Greg Arnold said. The business, open since 1995, sells musical instruments and offers music lessons. In addition to serving 220 music
Maria Flora | The Sun
Back Beat Music owner Greg Arnold plays a guitar in the store on Wednesday. students, the company also offers summer music camps. “We have the longestrunning music lesson program in Northeast Arkansas,” he said.
Bassett Wade Quinn opened a Bassett Design Shop in January at the Shoppes at Hilltop. The business can customize upholstery and have the furniture within four weeks, he said.
The full-line Basset dealer expanded Swank into three additional bays to offer the Bassett products. The store grew from 7,000 to 12,500 square feet, he said. The business also is working with Office Interiors and plans to have a showroom to showcase its products inside Swank. The projected opening date is June. “It will let us take a commercial job from start to finish,” he said.
“We’re pretty excited about that.”
Fred’s Fred’s of Jonesboro has a new image and a renovated store on Caraway Road. The new look reflects the company’s new image and a new customer appreciation plan. Fred’s has been in Jonesboro since the 1960s, and this is one of the company’s newest designs. The com-
pany has been at 2308 South Caraway Road since 1980, but everything has been removed and replaced, including the floor. The front wall of the store was remodeled to be more customer friendly with new automatic doors. There are new display floats and racks, lighting and a repaved parking lot. Fred’s is holding its own in the present economic downturn, and Fred’s pharmacy is one of the main reasons the store has been successful in Jonesboro over three decades, store officials said. The remodeled store also includes a drive-through for the convenience of Fred’s pharmacy customers, particularly senior citizens.
Portraits The owner of Portraits by John Lindsey Photography moved his business from Little Rock to 406 Acme Road in his hometown of Harrisburg about six months ago. Lindsey attended Arkansas State University and has five years of professional photography experience. Lindsey takes portraits, art pan-
els and senior high school pictures. He also shoots commercial and food photographs.
PSC Oncall Professional Communication Services OnCall is a Jonesboro business. Jonesboro native Kevin Richardson has celebrated the 25th year of the company, which is located 3212 East Nettleton Ave., its original location. PCS OnCall provides call services for various types of businesses, such as plumbers, electricians, physicians, attorneys, medical equipment suppliers and real estate agents. “After hours when you call a doctor, you get us,” he said. “We take your information and then follow that customer’s protocol, locating the person on call.” The first-generation entrepreneur said the company is planning for growth. “We have purchased land. We’re building a new building, and that will allow us to triple the size we are now,” Richardson said. PLEASE SEE BUSINESS, H3
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BUSINESS: Northeast Arkansas-based companies see benefits of expanding offerings, facilities in area FROM PAGE H2
Sage Meadows POA The Sage Meadows Property Owners Association has things worked out so it can run day-to-day operation of the clubhouse and golf course. In November the POA voted 313 to 62 to buy the golf course, clubhouse and other Sage Meadows assets, with a lease-purchase option. A club committee has been established by the POA to oversee and facilitate operation of Sage Meadows Country Club and the golf course. Plans are to create more programs and activities that provide members with distinctive experiences while they relax, play and socialize at the club Development of Sage Meadows started in 1997 by Troutt Properties, which owned and operated the facility until recently.
Surplus Warehouse
also are available.
Surplus Warehouse, a discount building materials retailer, is in Highland Square Shopping Center, 2016 South Caraway Road. Store manager Rick Fahr said customers will be better served at the new location with improved product displays, more convenient access and a wider selection. Surplus Warehouse, a division of the E.C. Barton & Co., with headquarters in Jonesboro, began as Union Salvage on Union Street before moving to East Johnson Avenue. The new store occupies 27,500 square feet in the shopping center, with primary lines including floor coverings, cabinets, millwork and plumbing. Cabinets, countertops, vent hoods, faucet sets, pulls, sinks, floor coverings and other items are on display. Toilets, tubs, showers, pedestal sinks
Harris Furniture Harris Furniture Co., 2701 East Nettleton Ave., was founded by Charles and Wava Harris in 1968 in Downtown Jonesboro. It is now owned by their son, Keith, and his wife, Rebecca Harris. The business moved to its current location in October, marking 40 years of business. The oldest furniture store in Jonesboro, Harris carries many brandname lines including Flexsteel, La-Z-Boy, Lane, Broyhill, Massoud, Mayo, Ashley, Universal, Sealy, Jamison, Riverside, Pulaski and Vaughan-Bassett. At the new location, everything is under one roof. Harris Furniture previously operated on both sides of South Main Street, and the change saves time for the employees and customers. The facility has 23,000 square feet of display
area and 5,400 square feet of warehouse. That allows the display of a great number of furniture possibilities for customers and a good selection in the warehouse for immediate delivery, officials said.
Hobby Lobby Hobby Lobby is a major crafts chain and anchor tenant at Bernard Court Shopping Center. The 12,000-square-foot expansion into a vacant store makes Hobby Lobby about 62,000 square feet, officials said. The expansion was designed to provide extra sales space and increased comfort and convenience for customers. Merchandise should be more accessible, and better furniture displays are possible with the larger space, officials said.
Sylvan Learning Center Ashley Hill, the new co-owner and director of
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Rosalie Statler (right) reviews different fabric swatches and listens as Jennifer Collins answers her questions inside Harris Furniture at Jonesboro on Jan. 17. Sylvan Learning Center, 2007 East Nettleton Ave., is a teacher whose passion for education landed her at the center. The Jacksonville native and Hendrix College graduate bought the local office with husband Brian this summer, just in time to prepare students for the new school year. She said the center’s approach is tailored to the needs of children struggling with various aspects of learning. The list of offerings includes tutoring, homework help, specific course support and study guides. The company prepares pre-kindergarten and elementary students and high schoolers. Sylvan also provides online tutoring services. The center uses a targeted approach to tutoring, and most children are in the program for a few months.
Travel With Us
James Byard | The Sun
Hobby Lobby’s customer service manager Penny Coin arranges artificial flowers at the Jonesboro store. Hobby Lobby recently did a 12,000-square-foot expansion.
Travel With Us Tours and Cruises, 2718 East Nettleton Ave., has added a division called Spiritual Journeys. The company has offered faith-based trips, such as the Steps of Paul, the Holylands and Egypt. The company has increased its escorted group and individual travel trips, as well. This year Travel With
Us owners Drs. Bill and Emelda Williams will celebrate 25 years in business. Several of the eight employees have been recognized for their accomplishments. They are Amy Cantin, travel consultant and certified standards specialist; Larinda Rainwater, manager and consultant; and Kristie Bennett, consultant and Disney vacation planner. The company is a Sandals preferred agency and was named by The Sun readers as favorite travel agent for 10 consecutive years.
Tucker’s Appliances Tucker’s Appliances, 1312 Stadium Blvd., in Stadium Crossing Center, has more than 500 pieces in the 12,500 square-foot facility and five employees. Bobby Williams is an independent dealer who sells new products and new scratch-and-dent appliances that are under warranty. Sun staff writers Curt Hodges and Anthony Childress contributed to this report. sherry@jonesborosun.com
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The sweet taste of progress New restaurants open in Jonesboro BY KELLIE COBB AND RAYMOND WHITESIDE SUN STAFF WRITERS
JONESBORO — Various new restaurants have opened in the past year to suit to whatever tastes residents have. Restaurants that have opened in the past year include the following.
Olive Garden The Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, 1918 Stadium Blvd., opened in January. The “Tuscan Farmhouse” theme offers a rustic and earthy design inside and out. The restaurant’s decor creates a genuine Italian home dining experience. Inside there’s a lot of wood, stone, slate and tile. A big stone wall and a stone fireplace add to the restaurant’s homey appeal. The menu features authentic Italian dishes. The restaurant’s recipes were created at the Culinary Institute of Tuscany. The restaurant also has an alcoholic beverage permit. The Olive Garden is open for lunch and dinner daily. It can seat 290 guests. The Jonesboro Olive Garden was the first of eight facilities owned by Darden Restaurants Inc. to be targeted for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. The restaurant features several energy-saving features including the increased use of natural light, EnergyStar rated equipment and LED light bulbs.
other towns. This is the third restaurant for Patino, who owns La Cascada restaurants in Manila and Lake City. Patino and his family live in Manila. Patino said Brookland is a good spot because of the busy highway and nice people. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Skinny J’s Cafe Residents of Cash and travelers passing through the western Craighead County town have begun enjoying Skinny J’s Cafe. The restaurant, 4883 Arkansas 18 South, opened Nov. 9. The business began serving only breakfast and lunch but soon opened on Friday and Saturday nights and served steak and pasta.
The restaurant is now open for lunch and supper Monday through Saturday. “Since opening, we’ve tried to cater to outlying communities with local food favorites,” said James D. Best, owner and chef. Recent improvements also include an expanded kitchen and dining room.
Two Sisters Robbin Taber opened Two Sisters Coffee, Deli and Desserts, 241 South Main St., Jonesboro, in September. The business offers fresh-baked goods, deli sandwiches, salads, soups and specialty coffees. Taber offers a lunch delivery service to the downtown area and caters luncheons or business events. The atmosphere of the place is that of a Seattle coffee shop with a hint of Southern charm.
Burger King A new Burger King Restaurant is almost finished on Caraway Road in Jonesboro. The old store, the third in the Drury Restaurants Inc. chain, was built in 1972. The new restaurant, 1423 South Caraway Road, will feature a playground, video games, movies and other forms of entertainment. The building will be smaller but will offer a larger dining area with outdoor seating. Drury Restaurants is headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The chain owns 35 Burger Kings in four states.
Cregeen’s Irish Pub Cregeen’s Irish Pub, 201 South Main St., will open soon. The store is a sister restaurant to the Cregeen’s in North Little Rock and is owned by the same people. The establishment features three levels. The main floor has a sunken area with a mezzanine. Private dining rooms have been constructed on the second floor, and on the rooftop is a deck. The dining rooms take on a historic feel and are made from doors and wood from a 110-year-old dental office on Huntington Avenue. Cuisine will feature Irish and Scottish dishes such as Guinness Stew, Irish nachos and Scottish eggs, which are boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and deep fried.
Don Jose
La Cascada Ignacio Patino opened La Cascada Mexican Restaurant, 8247 U.S. 49 North, Brookland, in November. In December Patino told The Sun the restaurant is a popular place for people from Brookland, Jonesboro, Paragould, Rector, Marmaduke and
The business is open Monday-Saturday.
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Robbin Taber prepares a hot coffee drink at Two Sisters Coffee, Deli and Desserts in Jonesboro on Feb. 9.
Don Jose Authentic Mexican Restaurant opened on Dec. 12, 2008. The establishment is in the old Captain D’s seafood building at 2200 Wilkins St. near Kroger in Jonesboro. The business is the third Don Jose. The others are in Forrest City and Wynne and are owned by the Mercado family.
Chris Swindle | The Sun
Server Kevin Wright (right) grates cheese for Brad and Amy Castleberry at Olive Garden in Jonesboro on Wednesday. Several specialty items are offered on the menu, including “Alex’s Special.” The dish consists of grilled chicken, shrimp, peppers and onions topped with cheese sauce and served with rice and guacamole. It is named after the Jonesboro restaurant’s owner, Alex Mercado. Family members have expressed an interest in expanding to Paragould.
Fazoli’s Fazoli’s Italian Restaurant is back in town and in the same location it left about two years ago. The national chain opened it’s Jonesboro location, 1730 East Highland Drive, for a second time on March 17. Patrons will notice several changes, including the interior decor and menu additions. Modern decorations and wall hangings are new, but the layout is the same. Some new menu items include baked products such as Chicken Parmigiano, Riggatoni Romano and Twice-Baked Lasagna. There’s also pizza, oven baked “Submarinos,” fresh salads, kids meals and sweet treats. Value meals and family meals are other features. One thing has stayed the same — the breadsticks. There are more than 240 Fazoli’s nationwide, and the company has been in business for about 20 years.
The local store is owned by Rob and Nancy Hearden of Hernando, Miss.
Front Page Cafe The Front Page Cafe, 2117 East Parker Road, Jonesboro, reopened Aug. 31 after being closed for more than eight months because of fire damage. The fire occurred on Dec. 15. Rebuilding the restaurant took longer than expected because the fire damage was more extensive than first thought — and then there was the January 2009 ice storm, which put everything on hold. Phillips Construction and Serve Pro got the building ready for customers again. For the most part the layout of the restaurant remained unchanged. But owner Mickey Felts said some things were upgraded including new flat-screen televisions and redoing the parking lot and landscaping.
Harps Food Store Wallace & Owens Supermarket, 203 West Highland Drive, became Harps Food Store in late 2008. Harps Food Store, based in Springdale, is the largest employee-owned company headquartered in Arkansas. Harps has 61 stores in Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. kb@jonesborosun.com rwhiteside@jonesborosun.com
Integrity First Bank officials, customers enjoy new location BY CURT HODGES SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — Integrity First Bank has been in its new building at Rains and East Highland Drive since March 15, and a bank official said the new location gives the staff the elbow room they have needed for a long time to properly serve their customers. Plus, the new brick and stone building helps provide the kind of image the bank has needed. The new building has a residential look and feel, said Business Development Officer John McPike. “That’s kind of what the bank was going for when
the new building was designed and built,” he said. “We’re a customeroriented, old-school bank with a new-school twist.” “Service-oriented” and “good, solid bank” were other words that McPike used to describe the business. “We are very appreciative of our customers and work hard every day to take care of them and their banking needs,” he said. “We are very proud of the new offices and invite everyone to stop by and visit,” he said. The Highland Drive location is Integrity First’s only Jonesboro location. McPike said bank officials plans an open house
in the near future. Right now a modular bank has just been moved off the site, and repair work, paving and sodding are under way. He said the new offices will provide the bank with the additional space necessary to expand its product offering as well as allowing a higher level of convenience and service for its customers. The 7-acre location for the new 15,000-squarefoot building was bought by the bank in 2007. Ground was broken for the construction project in February 2009. Bank officials said the new location offers high visibility and additional convenience for its cus-
tomers. More than 20,000 cars pass the site each day. Integrity First Bank, a division of First National Bank and Trust of Mountain Home, opened a
‘We’re a customeroriented, old-school bank with a newschool twist.’ John McPike business development officer, Integrity First Bank loan production office in Jonesboro in June 2006. Later the bank opened a full-service branch at
2212 Fowler Ave. The new bank offers full-service banking and features drive-through lanes and automated teller machines. Banking hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. on Friday in the drivethrough. Integrity First Bank President G.L. Lieblong has described the Jonesboro banking market as “very competitive. Jonesboro has such a diverse economy as far as retail, industry, agriculture, medical and education,” he told The Sun in a previous article. “It’s just an oasis in Northeast Arkansas and continues to grow, and there con-
tinues to be a lot of economic activity.” Residents of Mountain Home and Pocahontas who bank with the company’s sister bank, Bank of Pocahontas, will also be able to conduct all of their business at the branch in Jonesboro. curth@jonesborosun.com
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Asian restaurants aim to offer variety JONESBORO — There has been a surge in new Asian restaurants over the last few years, with more diverse eateries adding to the local landscape of traditional Chinese restaurants. In 2009 Jonesboro got Hiro Japanese Cuisine at The Mall at Turtle Creek, Oriental Express at Brown’s Lane Access and Windover roads, and Kumarn Premier Thai Cuisine Etc., Etc., Etc. at
Turtle Creek Corner on Stadium Boulevard. Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet, which includes Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine, opened earlier this month just two doors down from Kumarn. And a new establishment, Osaka Japanese Steakhouse, is about to open just south of the Parker Road-South Caraway Road intersection. Proprietors of the newer places report they have been successful, but it hasn’t been easy. Residents of Jonesboro
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Chef Kitt Chompupong adds the finishing flavors to a dish in Kumarn in Jonesboro on Dec. 5.
are used to Chinese buffets, with just two Japanese restaurants — Fuji and Shogun — open for a number of years and Sai Thai operating downtown since 2008. “A lot of customers still don’t know how to order. They’re used to the buffets all the time,” Oriental Express manager Amber Wang said. “We’re trying to teach customers to enjoy more variety of Asian foods.” Kitt Chompupong, the owner and head chef of Kumarn, said he had the same experience when he first opened last fall, but now it’s compounded because a buffet has opened in the same shopping center. “People walk in my place and say ‘Where is your buffet table?’” he said. “I say, ‘No, it would be two doors down.’” Chompupong said he is not bothered by the sudden influx of restaurants, even though he’s had a few dry spells that he thinks are due to Olive Garden opening across the street and Hibachi Grill next door. But he hopes there will be greater diversity. “I don’t think there are too many Asian restaurants, but if you really look at it, it’s redundant — the same types of restaurants over and over again,” he said. “It’s buffet, fast food. I have nothing against more restaurants going in, but we need more quality, bring more culture, bring more diversity. I’m for business, but against unhealthy eating lifestyles like buffet.” Chompupong spent a
Downtown revitalization continues even though organization on hiatus BY JOHN M. FLORA SPECIAL TO THE SUN
JONESBORO — The volunteer organization created to foster downtown revitalization may have faltered, but the private sector is charging ahead to enhance downtown Jonesboro’s status as an entertainment and shopping destination. Phyllis Burkett, president of the Downtown Jonesboro Association, said the association is in a period of reorganization, looking for sources of funding. The group has been without an administrative assistant since December, and its Web site hasn’t been updated since June 2008. The association was a driving force behind the creation of a 103-space parking lot in the halfblock bounded by Union, Madison and Monroe streets and helped coordinate several major events that drew thousands of people to the area. The Downtown Jonesboro Association was accepted into the Arkansas Downtown Network in 2008. The network, operated by the Main Street Arkansas organization,
gives the Jonesboro association access to Main Street Arkansas’ quarterly training meetings, organizational assistance, limited technical assistance from Main Street staff members and access to the Main Street resource center. “Main Street Arkansas is aware that we are temporarily suspended,” Burkett said. “We’re in the process of trying to help the Downtown Jonesboro Association become more historic and preservation oriented, and become 501(c)3 organization. This will help us with fundraising and to better meet the goals of Main Street Arkansas.” In the meantime, businesses are popping up like spring dandelions in the downtown district. Developer Clay Young said an Irish pub and two new restaurants, as well as a redesigned restaurant are scheduled to open in the next four months. Cregeen’s Irish Pub is scheduled to open in midApril, he said, adding the new Dragon City is set to reopen May 1. A May 1 opening is also planned for Doe’s Eat Place, and a Japanese res-
taurant, named Bamboo, featuring five hibachi grills and a sushi bar expected to open July 1, he said. Young said he is also negotiating with three more restaurants for Downtown Jonesboro. At the same time, the Brickhouse Grill has expanded, A’s Restaurant is in the midst of remodeling and is expected to reopen in mid-May, and the owner said he’ll seek a club status. Other downtown businesses reporting growth include Rockstar Clothing, Roman Touch Salon, Black Arrow Tattoo and Zen Factory Extreme Graffiti. Godsey’s Grill has opened a separate facility for catering, and the Sam Jones IV art gallery is expected to open next month. And downtown is becoming an attractive place to live as well. “We now have a total of 82 loft apartments scattered all over the upstairs of downtown buildings,” Young said. “The demographic ranges from young married couples to young professionals and corporate clients like
year preparing the menu, hiring a staff and decorating the restaurant, which provides an atmosphere that blends Thai and modern styles. The menu builds on the chef’s Thai background. Oriental Express also is making an effort to offer healthier options, Wang said. The selection includes Japanese, Chinese and Korean foods, and the menu is about to change for the summer. “It will be a lot lighter and more healthy food,” Wang said. Chefs and servers at the Japanese restaurants still encounter many customers who don’t know much about their menus. Although they offer a number of hibachi dishes, including chicken, steak, shrimp, vegetables, rice and other items, the sushi menu remains a mystery to some diners. Often the servers have to point out that not all sushi is raw, and the newer restaurants are including symbols on their menus to
denote which are cooked, raw or spicy. At Hiro, the sushi menu alone consists of dozens of items, and the chefs create unique specialty rolls that not only aim to please the taste buds but also the diner’s artistic sensibilities. Unique rolls have included the Razorback, Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast and Transformer rolls. Their specialty, the Hiro roll, includes spicy crab, avocado and cream cheese and is topped with shrimp, avocado, masago, tobiko and hiro sauce. Just five months into operations, Kumarn is adding a new feature — cooking workshops. The inaugural class was held March 20, with guests creating a total of four dishes to take home. If it’s successful, Chompupong plans to continue the Sunday evening events. Anyone interested will need to call or stop by to sign up. The class is part of his attempt to educate din-
Kitt Chompupong owner and head chef, Kumarn Premier Thai Cuisine Etc., Etc., Etc. ers about Thai and other Asian foods, with an emphasis on fresh and healthy ingredients. In the meantime, Chompupong is still a little concerned about the market being over-saturated with Asian eateries, but he’s counting on customers to make the right choices. “If there is more diversity, it will be good for business,” he said. “And once they have diversity, restaurants will compete with quality of the food instead of quantity of food.” khill@jonesborosun.com
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Sushi Chef Anak Kresna created the Hiro Roll for the Hiro Japanese Cuisine restaurant in Jonesboro.
‘There’s a simplicity to downtown loft living.’ Clay Young developer Nestle and Frito Lay.” The corporate clients maintain temporary living space for business people staying here briefly, and the lofts include full maid service. “There’s a simplicity to downtown loft living,” Young said. “All you have is an electric bill. Highspeed Internet, water and sewer are paid. And there is a charm to the old brick walls and the high ceilings and being able to walk to a growing number of places to eat and shop.” Realtor Brenda Dacus said she has shown downtown lofts to several clients. Current listings range from $85,000 to $185,000. And downtown Jonesboro continues to draw crowds to special events. The annual Paint the Town Red celebration that marks the kickoff of the Arkansas State University football season is set for Sept. 18, and plans are going forward for the NEA D.A.R.E. Bike Classic, as well as the annual Christmas parade and holiday season activities.
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Society keeps history alive in Greene County PARAGOULD — The Greene County Historical and Genealogical Society made progress for 2010. The services it provides are books, microfilm, Greene County family research and Greene County, Arkansas Family History Book, volumes I and II in its offices at 110 North Pruett St., or online at http://www.greenecountyargen.com. There are about 270 members in the organization. Officers are Norma Addison, president; Mike Woodside, first vice president; Claire Jenkin, second vice president; Yvonne Watson, record On the Net | secretary; and Cynthia Starling, treasurer. Greene County Historical The major products and Genealogical Sociprovided to the public ety: http://www are the 522-page vol.greenecountyargen umes of Greene County .com family histories. The society sponsored a road show in March with speakers and five subject experts. There were about 150 attendees. The society plans to continue the road show in the future and will host a Heritage Faire on April 17. Other honors for the society were the Volunteer of the Year awards for 2009. Winners were Woodside, Charles Wood, Vic Hosman and Frank Reddick. For more information call 240-8944.
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BY KARIN HILL SUN STAFF WRITER
‘I have nothing against more restaurants going in, but we need more quality, bring more culture, bring more diversity.’
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City apparently is great place to visit JONESBORO — A number of hotels and motels in and around Jonesboro have seen growth in the past year or so, according to management at the respective establishments.
with advance notice, as well as a batting cage for visitors who play baseball or softball, Henry said. He said the hotel, with its close proximity to NEA Baptist Medical Center, also has customers who have family members in the hospital.
Hilton
Fairfield Inn
Lindy Frizzell, general manager of Hilton Garden Inn, said officials there are pleased with the response they’ve received since opening in November. The 4-story hotel at 2840 South Caraway Road features 109 rooms, a banquet area and a full-scale restaurant, named the Great American Grille. Frizzell said the restaurant is a favorite among hotel guests and area residents. “We are happy with the local response,” Frizzell said. “The restaurant has an American menu, with standard lunch and breakfast.” Frizzell said the restaurant offers items including steak, sandwiches and salads for customers. The hotel, which averages about 40 employees, also features suite-style rooms, something many people request, Frizzell said. “Our suites are larger, upgraded rooms,” Frizzell said. “We do not cater to families with the rooms per se, but to people who want a separate and larger room.”
In June 2009 the Fairfield Inn and Suites also opened nearby at 3408 Access Road. The 4-story, 84-room hotel is a Marriott-affiliated hotel with 50 suites, catering to business travelers. Each room has a flat-panel television, tiled bathrooms and black granite countertops. The hotel offers complimentary continental breakfasts, an exercise room, an indoor swimming pool and laundry service.
BY MICHAEL WILKEY SUN STAFF WRITER
Comfort Suites Comfort Suites General Manager David Henry said the hotel has also prospered since opening in September 2008. “We have done really well,” Henry said. “People have shown interest in the big suites we offer.” Henry said the hotel at 3404 Access Road offers customers personal service. “We have an indoor heated pool, fitness center and madeto-order omelets for breakfast,” Henry said. “We also have a massage chair in our lobby and sitting area in each room.” The hotel also offers free transportation in or around Jonesboro
BY TYLEE TRACER SUN STAFF WRITER
James Byard | The Sun
Honoree Carrie Mae Snapp (left) visits with Leslie Rutledge during the Triumph of the Human Spirit banquet March 1 in the Hilton Garden Inn banquet area.
Vicky Patel of Park Place Inn said the hotel along Caraway Road has been renovated since
‘We have an indoor heated pool, fitness center and made-to-order omelets for breakfast.’ David Henry general manager, Comfort Suites her family bought it last August. Patel said the hotel rooms have been renovated “big time,” with several small projects still to be done. Ken Patel, who owns the hotel, said earlier this year that old carpets have been cleaned, new carpet was installed and painting was done. Vicky Patel said the hotel has seen an increase in customers due to its closeness to Arkansas State University. The hotel also hopes to see an increase of customers during the summer, Vicky Patel said. Sun staff Writer Curt Hodges contributed to this report.
JONESBORO — Months before the “Big Switch” to digital television in 2009, Malco Theatres had already made its own big switch to digital projection at Jonesboro. For the Memphis-based company, 2009 was a chance to build on that work. “We chose to go fully digital when we added screens and remodeled the theater last year, and our patrons have expressed their pleasure in the results of
our expansion — their comments have been overwhelmingly positive,” said Karen Scott, marketing director of Malco Theatres Inc. The former Hollywood 12 now has 15 digital screens. For the theater audience, digital projection means a clearer picture that doesn’t degrade after repeated showings. It also makes more sophisticated 3-D projection possible — as of mid-March, three of the 15 screens were devoted to two 3-D movies, “Avatar” and “Alice in Wonderland.”
QuickINFO | Name: Malco Hollywood; (corporate) Malco Theatres Business: New movie releases Address: 2407 East Parker Road, Jonesboro; (corporate) 5851 Ridgeway Center Parkway, Memphis 38120 Phone: 802-3456; (corporate) (901) 761-3480 Fax: (corporate) (901) 681-2044 Officers: Stephen Lightman (president and chief executive officer), Robert Levy (senior vice president of marketing), James Tashie (senior vice president of theater operations), Karen Scott (marketing director) History: Founded in Memphis in 1915 On the Net: www.malco.com; www.facebook.com/malco theatres; twitter.com/malcotheatres
PIGGOTT — The Piggott Chamber of Commerce has many things planned for the city in the coming year. Chamber president Tim Blair said the organization is around to help its community and to do anything it can for residents. There are about 13 members in the chamber, which focuses on growth in Piggott. In the last year the chamber has taken on sponsorship to a car show. Also, the chamber put on a Relay for Life last year to help support cancer research. To help economic development, Blair said the chamber has increased hours at the visitor center and more hours for the staff. The chamber has a c h i e v e d a To u r i s m Award at a Delta Byways Banquet last year to recognize its effort in supporting the community. For information on Piggott Chamber of Commerce call 598-3167.
Rector
tions for the old Malco location and have had a number of inquiries, but have not decided on the best use for the property,” Scott said. “Right now we are content to wait until markets improve and the right user comes along.” Until then, the company’s focus remains on the entertainment experience at its 15 Jonesboro screens. “Our long-term plan is to continue bringing any new technology to our cinemas,” Scott said. “The considerable investment we made in digital technology has been well-received and appreciated by the most important people we know, our patrons.”
The Rector Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote economic growth, set a standard of excellence to members and to provide the community with worthwhile activities, said chamber organizer Jacinda Welch. There are about 70 members of the chamber. Rector has received a 501(c)3 grant in the last year, which helps restore and support historic buildings in the downtown area, which is called Rector Downtown Central. Welch hopes this grant will help organize, promote and design economic restructuring in the community. The chamber has helped organize and develop a North East Arkansas Innovative Training Center, which has received $260,000 in grants for renovations. The center aims to help train people with life skills such as learning how to put a resume together for potential employers, an interview prep course and many other learning programs. The chamber is also working on building the downtown area and revitalizing its buildings. For more information on the Rector Chamber of Commerce call 595-3035, or visit rector arkansas.com.
bsmith@jonesborosun.com
newsroom@jonesborosun.com
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Shannon Weeden helps put the finishing touches on the new Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites in Jonesboro last June 18.
Malco hears rave reviews of digital screens BY BRIAN SMITH SUN STAFF WRITER
Piggott Chamber of Commerce: www.piggott.net Rector Chamber of Commerce: www.rectorarkansas.com North East Arkansas Innovative Training Center: www.NEAITC.org
Clay County chambers work hard
Park Place Inn
mwilkey@jonesborosun.com
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“We chose what is regarded by many in our industry to be the ‘Mercedes’ of the 3-D processes, Dolby 3-D,” Scott said. “Moviegoers have truly embraced the new 3-D ‘wow’ factor in our industry, and Jonesboro now has a state-of-the-art cinema equal to any modern facility in the country.” Digital projection devices are more expensive than traditional film projectors, but they make installing and changing movies much simpler. They also have the capability to broadcast live events. “With digital cinema, we are now able to present alternative content such as concerts, sporting events, opera and ballet on the big screen,” Scott said. “As digital cinema continues to evolve, there will be more content available to be shown in theaters.” The additional screens at the Malco Hollywood followed the loss of screens in November 2008. That was the month the company closed the Malco Cinema 13 on East Highland Drive. “We continue to explore our op-
‘Our patrons have expressed their pleasure in the results of our expansion.’ Karen Scott marketing director, Malco Theatres Inc.
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Professionals make changes, earn recognition JONESBORO — Many area professionals made changes to their practices and received awards and certifications in the last year.
Architects Brackett-Krennerich & Associates Architects The architectural firm of Brackett-Krennerich & Associates Architects has seen many honors and projects completed in 2009. Owner and architect Jerry W. Brackett was elected president of the Arkansas chapter of the American Institute of Architects, while owner-architect George J. Krennerich III was appointed by Gov. Mike Beebe to the Arkansas State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers. Kyle Cook obtained his license to practice and is now a registered architect. Projects completed include the Delta Center for Economic Development, Red W.O.L.F. Center and Donald W. Reynolds Center for Nursing and Health Professionals, all at Arkansas State University, and Trumann High School. All projects are developed first using Autodesk Revit architecture software then using building information modeling. Brackett-Krennerich has been in business since 1977 and is located at 100 East Huntington Ave., Suite D. It specializes in planning, architecture and interior design and has 14 employees. The company may be reached at 932-0571 or online at www.bkarchts .com. Jim Maddox Architect Inc. Jim Maddox Architect Inc., 402 South Main St., was established in 1968. The company provides architectural services, particularly contained environments. Principle officers include Jim Maddox, president; Timothy Maddox, vice president; and Bren-
da Maddox, secretarytreasurer. Recently completed projects include the Highland Multipurpose Building for the Highland School District. Tim Maddox also opened deMx architecture in Fayetteville in November 2008, and plans include a wider range of practice through joint ventures with the Fayetteville firm. Call Jim Maddox at 9353813, or e-mail jdmaddox _arch@sbcglobal.net. William M. Wage Architect William M. Wage Architect, 101 South Church St., Suite 207, opened for business in 1972, providing architectural services in Northeast Arkansas and beyond. Over the last 18 months he has designed the Jonesboro Church Health Center, Total Life Building for St. Bernards Senior Center, Godsey’s Grill, Omar’s Restaurant, the Center on Aging-Northeast Care House and Southern Bank renovation, all in Jonesboro; the dialysis unit expansion for Cross Ridge Community Hospital, Wynne; Toney Dental Clinic in Pocahontas; the concessions building for the Marked Tree Sports Complex; the dental clinic for Byhalia Health Care in Byhalia, Miss., and the Bank of Holly Springs, Holly Springs, Miss. Wage may be reached at 336-3999 or by e-mail at bill@wagearchitect.com. Stuck Associates Architects Stuck Associates Architects, established in 1926, is one of Arkansas’ oldest architectural firms, providing expertise in architecture, interior design and planning. An engineering division, SAA Engineering, was added in 2009. Several of the firm’s members have received additional certifications during that time. Paul Hoelscher, principal architect, and Matthew Mazzoni, intern architect, both received Leadership in Energy and
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Jeff Herren, an architect, looks over construction documents for the Newport Elementary School designed by Brackett-Krennerich Architects in Jonesboro. Environmental DesignAccredited Professional certification; Mazzoni and Michael Holmes, marketing director, were both accepted into the Leadership Jonesboro Program; Ashley Crawford, interior designer, received certification by the National Council of Interior Design Qualification; and Mark Enos, project architect, helped found NEA Leaf, a local chapter of the United States Green Building Council, and served on the City of Jonesboro Land Use Advisory Committee from 2006-09. Stuck Associates has 10 employees and is situated at 328 South Church St. It is online at www .stuckarch.com or may be reached by phone at 9324271.
Attorneys Wilcox, Parker, Hurst, Lancaster and Lacy PLC The law firm of Wilcox,
Parker, Hurst, Lancaster and Lacy, 3000 Brown’s Lane, opened in 2008 as a full-service law firm. Owners and principal officers are Tony Wilcox, Don Parker, Harry Hurst, Scott Lancaster and Brandon Lacy. The focus of the partnership is to serve all clients as their needs arise. New attorneys and staff are being added as the firm grows to better serve that goal. There are 20 employees. In the past year, the firm was added to the Martindale-Hubbell Register of Preeminent Lawyers, and Wilcox was inducted into the American Board of Trial Attorneys. Wilcox, Hurst, Lancaster and Lacy may be reached at 931-3101 or online at www.wphll.com. Orr Willhite PLC Orr Willhite PLC was established in 1997 and specializes in personal injury;
family law, including divorce, custody and guardianship; probate; worker’s compensation; and civil litigation. Partners in the firm are Kevin J. Orr and M. Scott Willhite. In July the firm added Mimi Mangrum to the staff. Mangrum is a paralegal and office manager. Office efficiency has been improved by scanning and managing closed files and other documents electronically. The firm plans to expand soon by adding new attorneys and legal support staff. Orr Willhite is on the first floor of 301 West Washington Ave. and may be reached by phone at 972-1500 or online at www .owattorneys.com. Stricker Law Firm R. Theodor Stricker began practice in 1980. The Stricker Law Firm is at 249 South Main St. with a satellite office in El Dorado. The firm provides legal services throughout Arkansas predominantly in the areas of Social Security disability and personal injury. In 2009 a vacant lot on Union Street behind the firm was converted to a paved parking lot with handicap accessibility to better serve clients with medical disabilities. Stricker is the only attorney in the firm, which has a total staff of five. He may be reached at 931-7300 or by e-mail at tstricker@strickerlaw firm.com.
CPAs, financial advisers Jones & Co. Ltd. Jones & Co. Ltd., certified public accountants was established in 1975 by the late Phil Jones, CPA. It is the largest full-service accounting office in Jonesboro according to a news release. Services include tax, audit, business valuation, Quickbooks consulting, business planning, payroll services and cost segregation studies. In the last four years the company has sought
new and innovative ways to help clients during tough economic times. By accepting an invitation to join BDO Seidman Alliance, Jones and Co. now has worldwide resources to offer up-to-the-minute services in a local environment, including financial planning, equity-based compensation planning, retirement planning, asset management services, corporate internal investigations, financial statement fraud, technology advisory services and infrastructure and security solutions. The principal shareholders of the firm are Hal White, Sherry Stringer and Brent Stidman. Jones and Co. has a total employment of 25, which is a 9-percent increase in staff during 2009. Several members passed milestones or received honors in 2009 including Cheryl Dean, tax manager, who achieved 25 years of service; Eric Green, staff accountant, who passed the CPA exam; and Charlott Jones, tax manager, who was honored as the 2009 Business Woman of the Year by Jonesboro Business and Professional Women. The company offices are at 501 Southwest Drive and can be reached by phone at 935-2871 or online at www.jonescpa .com. Merrill Lynch Merrill Lynch, which supplies brokerage services and was re-established in 2006 at Jonesboro, finished as the No. 2 small market office in the Merrill Lynch system with more than 200 percent growth in 2009. Merrill Lynch in Jonesboro also moved to a permanent location, 2000 Brown’s Lane Access, two years ahead of schedule. The move resulted in expansion of the firm. The firm employs 12, and Stacey Harral serves as resident director. Merrill Lynch can be reached at 932-0920.
Company builds agricultural aircraft WALNUT RIDGE — As nearly everyone knows, Arkansas is a heavily agricultural state, particularly in the Mississippi River Delta area, Arkansas River Valley and the Grand Prairie sections of the state. The state’s farmers depend heavily on aerial applicators to spray insecticides, herbicides, fertilizer and sometimes even seed crops, particularly rice, of which the state is the leading U.S. producer. The state also has the most ag pilots and ag aircraft, a fact that officials of American Agviation of Walnut Ridge are very aware. American Agviation is the only company licensed to build and rebuild the Ag Cat bi-wing agricultural application aircraft. It does so in a
large hangar facility at the Walnut Ridge Municipal Airport, the former location of a World War II and Korean War training facility. Owners Frank and Darrell Kelley say their goal is at some time to begin new production of AgCat aircraft at the Walnut
‘We want [pilots] to have the finest aircraft to work with.’ Frank Kelley owner, American Agviation Ridge facility, which they say can create as many as 150 new jobs and make Arkansas the “world’s ag air capital.” Currently the company
refurbishes and rebuilds Ag Cats, and the resulting aircraft are virtually new, they say. The owners said the company provides aircraft and pilots for flight testing; performance evaluation of new radial engine innovations, which they say promise to enhance the efficiency; and reliability of piston engines used in aerial application. “We want them to have the finest aircraft to work with,” Frank Kelley said. Company officials include: Frank Kelley, president; Darrell Kelley, treasurer; Bobby Mike Watson, operations manager and chief pilot; Delbert Wead, major fabrications; and Shawn Vaughn, maintenance director. The company employs 12. E-mails can be sent to agcat@bscn.com.
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BUSINESS HONOR ROLL Established 1949
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THE JONESBORO SUN
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OUTLOOK 2010
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SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010
www.jonesborosun.com
The Sun continues to make technology upgrades BY KEITH INMAN SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — A special project sponsored by The Sun as part of Jonesboro’s Sesquicentennial celebration in 2009 illustrated the importance of the printed word in the city’s history, Publisher David Mosesso said. At the same time The Sun continues to upgrade its technology to move the printed word forward, including plans for unveiling a true electronic version of the daily paper later this year. “A History of Jonesboro and Craighead County through The Jonesboro Sun’s Front Pages,” published in 2009, chronicled the area and world’s history over the past 100plus years through the papers’ headlines. “It was a great project,” Mosesso said of the publication. “I commend Roy (Ockert, Sun editor); I commend Joel Gambill for all their hard work. We produced a nice book; it’s a keepsake.” Gambill is chairman of the Arkan-
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Assistant press foreman Roxy Crawford puts a metal plate on The Sun’s press on Wednesday at Jonesboro. The Sun is changing to a computer-to-plate process. sas State University Department of Journalism. The book also showed readers how the look of Jonesboro’s newspapers changed over the years. The process of print-
ing words at The Sun has changed many times throughout The Sun’s 107year existence, and work is under way to make another change in the process, Mosesso said.
“The newest change is called computer-toplate,” he said. Each page of the newspaper is designed on a computer. “Most recently, we
were computer-to-filmto-plate,” Mosesso said. “The film side of it is very labor-intensive. Not to mention it’s fairly expensive.” A new device will replace an image setter that converts the product sent from the computer to film with a process that takes it directly to a metal plate. “And the neat thing is, every step that you can take out, you improve the print quality,” Mosesso said. The new print plates will be automatically bent to fit the shape of the press and will have holes punched that will more accurately line up processed color images, he said. Vance Construction Solutions of Jonesboro has been hired to renovate a portion of the business’ building to further aid the efficiency of The Sun’s press employees, Mosesso said. All this will help assure The Sun and its sister newspapers provide more of the latest and most ac-
curate news coverage in the area, he said. “I think the printed word is vitally important,” Mosesso said. “And the method of transmission is debatable as to whether delivery is going to be on newsprint or not in 25 or 30 years. Who’s to say? A lot of predictions have already said that we wouldn’t be printing today.” Mosesso said recent technological changes have developed platforms that are more userfriendly. “And that’s why I think our e-edition is going to be served well in that platform,” Mosesso said. “And I think that’s going to create some software programmers out there in the world who are really going to focus on newspaper content delivery. Because nobody does it as well as newspapers. Because we are still covering what’s going on in this country, and we’re the news source people trust.” inman@jonesborosun.com
Even some radio stations going digital BY KEITH INMAN SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — The nationwide switch to digital television and the need for converter boxes for older TVs were the big communications news of 2009. But several radio stations are quietly making the switch to high definition as well. KDXY, The Fox, 104.9 FM, upgraded to digital in December 2008. That conversion cleared the way for what is now known as the Jonesboro Radio Group to create two new products — Hot 107.5, and True Oldies 92.7, said Trey Stafford, president and general manager. KDXY-HD-1 operates at 104.9, on the digital band
and on the traditional FM channel. Digital stations can also provide up to two secondary signals. The digital signal for KDXY-HD2 is 104.9-1 and is rebroadcast in analog through a translator on 107.5 FM Stafford said. KDXY-HD3 (104.9-3) is rebroadcast at 92.7 FM as True Oldies 92.7. Stafford said the two new stations have small audiences because few people have HD receivers. “It’s in its infancy,” Stafford said. “We spent about $250,000 on the upgrade, and if some stations don’t spend the money to put it in, then it’s never going to drive the public to even worry about buying it.” Unlike last year’s na-
tionwide conversion of television from analog to digital, any conversion to HD radio is voluntary, Stafford said. Unlike TV, “people will probably never have to get an HD radio because we’re probably never going to turn off that analog signal.” The Jonesboro stations are among about two dozen Arkansas HD radio channels in operation. Almost two dozen Memphis HD signals are also available, including some AM stations, according to the HD Digital Radio Alliance.
KAIT-TV Full-power TV stations across the country ended
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analog broadcasting last June. While the signals are digital, stations have not completely abandoned older equipment. Tim Ingram, president and general manager of KAIT in Jonesboro, said the conversion won’t be complete for some time because of economics. He said the Federal Communications Commission allowed his station to increase its power to reach some areas that lost service after the digital conversion. “We have converted about 12 stations so far out of our 46, and we’re working to get more converted this year,” Ingram said of Raycom Media’s conversion process. Digital TV has made it possible for KAIT to provide additional programming. KAIT operates on HD channel 8-1. A 24-hour local weather channel can be seen on channel 8-2. Ingram said he hopes to find suitable programming for channel 8-3 this year. The channel went on the air with a music video network that soon went bankrupt. Finding a good business model for a new channel is proving difficult, he said. KAIT is also serving as a demonstration station for Raycom in the experimental use of cell phones for delivering video from the field to the studio. “We’re using Motorola Droids, and we’ve actually done some live shots with our cell phones,” he said. The phones are equipped with digital cameras and microphones and allow reporters to send video reports to the station from sites that remote broad-
Michael Wilkey | Sun photo illustration
HD radio technology allows AM and FM radio stations an opportunity to broadcast their stations digitally. The system provides listeners with no hissing sound, distortion or problems with station drop-off. cast trucks can’t go. Ingram said KAIT has continued to devote more of its energy to its Web site, kait8.com.
EAB May will mark the completion of three years of local ownership of a group of radio stations in Jonesboro. East Arkansas Broadcasters of Jonesboro consists of three FM and two AM stations, including two of the most powerful stations in the area. KFIN 107.9 FM and KIYS 101.9 “Kiss” FM provide 100,000-watt signals, which allow the stations to reach audiences in neighboring states. Other stations include The Wolf 95.9 FM, KNEA ESPN Radio 970 AM and KBTM News Talk 1230 AM. EAB is locally owned by Bobby Caldwell of Wynne. “We have big plans to provide more local news and information in the coming year and at the same time continue to be a broadcast billboard for the area,” Caldwell said. He said listeners can expect bigger and better things from 101.9 KISS FM. “Working for a locally
owned radio station has really been refreshing,” said Brandon Baxter, operation manager and morning show personality. “These guys are not scared to add a breath of fresh air to Jonesboro radio. ... We just hired Nicole Slayton to join the KISS morning show team. That makes her the only female doing morning radio in Jonesboro.” KFIN program director Mitch Mahan is completing his first year with the station and was instrumental with putting Arkansas State University Red Wolf football and basketball on the station. “Getting ASU sports to the regional listener was important to us,” Mahan said. KFIN’s morning show team of Phil Jamison and Matt Stolz has added “8 seconds of free radio” every Friday at 8 a.m. Mahan said it’s a way to let people take to the airways to advertise nonprofit fish fries, bake sales, yard sales and more. East Arkansas Broadcasters Jonesboro is part of a 19-station group, covering all of east Arkansas from the Missouri bootheel to Louisiana border. inman@jonesborosun.com
Ritter adds employees, services JONESBORO — Ritter Communications has made a lot of progress in the past year. The company has offices at 2109 Fowler Ave. in Jonesboro, 646 East Main St. in Blytheville and 106 Frisco St. in Marked Tree. A subsidiary of E. Ritter & Company, Ritter Communications has provided telephone service in Northeast Arkansas since 1906 and currently employs 162 full-time workers, an increase of six percent over the last year. The business provides residential and commercial services. For local businesses, Ritter Communications offers local and long distance telephone service, high-speed Internet, Web, e-mail, domain hosting, business telephone systems and computer networks and solutions to a variety of current communications challenges businesses face. For residential customers, Ritter Communica-
tions offers residents of Northeast Arkansas from Blytheville to Swifton and from Brookland to Cherry Valley fast Internet access speeds, cable television service, high-definition TV and local and long distance telephone service. Over the past year, the company began a construction project to bring a fiber optic network to area businesses that will provide unlimited broadband capacity at high speeds. Ritter also began a project with Arkansas State University and the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network to connect the Jonesboro campus to fiber-based research and education networks. The completed project will give ASU the speed, flexibility and security to encourage research and innovation in the future, company officials said. Ritter also launched a complete line of new phone service and technology in Bassett, Bly-
theville, Bono, Brookland, Cherry Valley, Gosnell, Harrisburg, Hickory Ridge, Joiner, Lake City, Luxora, Osceola, Trumann and Wilson. Ritter plans to continue investing in communication infrastructure for Northeast Arkansas that will allow its customers to enjoy options comparable to or better than what is available in larger metropolitan areas. Ritter intends to continue focusing on growth and the shifting demands of customers. The privately-held company has launched new IP switching and administration systems that will allow for the addition of hosted applications and remote capabilities to help area businesses manage the integrity and security of their data and information systems. For more information, visit www.getritter.info, contact Ritter Communications office at 336-3434 or contact the customer care center at 1-888-3364466.
SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010
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Area real estate firms doing well JONESBORO — Area real estate firms have much to celebrate this year.
Exit Realty Center Exit Realty Center moved to 2532 Alexander Drive, Suite B, in November 2008. In 2009 it added 12 new agents, bringing the total employment to 29. Exit held an October contest, “90 Listings in 90 Days” to encourage agents. Local agents completed their goal, and their volume was more than $9 million in production. During the annual Arkansas Realtors Association Awards Banquet, several Exit Realtors were recognized for their sales efforts in 2009. Andy Anderson, Andrea Harrell, Kevin Jones, Heather Nix and Robin Nix Sr. all received Silver Level Awards for selling more than $2 million in volume. In February Anderson, Harrell, Gary Black, Matt Clegg, Terry Davis, Rita Hicks, Pam Holler, Jones, Heather Nix and Robin Nix Sr. were recognized regionally as million-dollar producers. Exit has reduced its environmental impact by conducting more business electronically and recycling cans, plastic and paper. Exit is owned by Robin Nix Sr. and Judson Nix. The company may
be reached at 931-9090 or online at exitrealtycenterar.com.
ERA Doty Real Estate ERA Doty Real Estate is located at 2205A Grant Ave. The agency was named to the top 100 ERA firms in the U.S. in 2009. Principal broker Steve Doty was named among the top 25 ERA brokers in the U.S. Those named as the top 25 ERA agents in Arkansas were sales associates Jon Moore, Bob Troutt, Kim Stem, Greg Lee, Cheryl Perry and Terri Rorex and associate broker Jim Drake. The agency employees 16. ERA Doty Real Estate can be contacted at 268-0155 or by visiting www.dotyproperties.com.
Fred Dacus Associates Fred Dacus Associates is located at 2529 South Caraway Road. Owners Fred and Brenda I. Dacus and president Margaret E. Green have been active in the business since 1974. Sales manager Bill Waldrip has served 34 years, while sales associate Phil Reginelli and executive broker Deloris White have each served 32 years. For National Wear Red Day, a part of the Go Red for Women campaign, the business raised more
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Wade Gay, Exit Realty agent, finds home listings for clients in his office at Jonesboro.
than $600 with events including a luncheon, silent auction and competitions. In 2009 the Blackwell Team of Sherlyn, Dale and Derek Blackwell was named Top Producing Agents by the Jonesboro Board of Realtors. The business may be reached at 935-0731. It is online at www.jones bororealestate.com.
Coldwell Banker Coldwell Banker Village Communities is located at 2704 South Culberhouse St., Suite A. Coldwell Banker employees volunteer with Special Olympics and CityYouth Ministries. In 2009 three agents were among the top Coldwell Banker agents in the state. David Howell was ranked No. 1, Kevin Kercheval was ranked No. 4, and Keith Pace was ranked No. 5. The company is owned by Ray Pierson, Carroll Caldwell and Marvin Hinton. Pierson is also services and principal broker, while Hinton and Jack Crabtree are executive brokers. There are 44 employees. Coldwell Banker can be reached at 935-7800 or online at www.cold wellbankerjonesboro.com.
Crye-Leike Realtors Crye-Leike Realtors-Jonesboro is located 2907 South Caraway Road. In 2009 it was Jonesboro’s No. 1 real estate agency in sales, closing 17 million more than their closest competitor, according to a news release. Nine agents or sales teams at Crye-Leike-Jonesboro received multi-million dollar sales awards in the last year. They were Marshall Ghant, Sue MacDonald, Belinda Wimpy, Joyce Isbell, Larry Lamkin, Gloria Slusser and Danna Johnson and the Eric Burch AllStar Team and the Rick McKinzie Team The agency is owned by Harold Crye. Joyce Isbell and Cathi Nisenbaum are managers in Jonesboro. The business may be reached at 935-0701 or online at www.cryeleike.com.
Suddenlink expanding services, ‘green’ efforts JONESBORO — Suddenlink Communications has big plans. Suddenlink, 1520 South Caraway Road, offers customers video, voice and Internet service. In 2009 and January 2010, Suddenlink added more high definition programming available to Jonesboro residents. A new TV Caller ID service was also introduced for customers who have a minimum combination of Suddenlink phone and advanced digital television service. A new eCycling program was launched on July 21, to help Jonesboro residents safely discard old electronics equipment. The focus of the new initiative is to provide an eCycling drop site at Suddenlink’s Jonesboro retail center. The company is working with Craighead County’s Legacy Landfill to ensure proper disposal. The initiative also included efforts to host events that would educate the community on the importance environmental awareness, work with schools to organize “green” initiatives, broadcast public service announcements and provide important information about eCycling online. To date, Suddenlink has delivered 28,360 pounds of electronic waste to be safely disposed of at Legacy Landfill.
What’s to come? In the near future, Suddenlink plans to provide a fourth Internet speed option, add more HD channels, allow customers to
On the Net | Suddenlink online: www.Suddenlink.com get triple play services — video, voice and Internet— on one bill, and introduce video on demand. The new Internet speed option is expected to be the fastest service in the area, officials said. These changes are possible because the nationwide company is pursuing a new investment program called Project Imagine and is calling for $350 million of capital investments beyond what the company normal spends. Several Suddenlink employees have been recognized in the past year. Gary Bowman, Suddenlink director of operations for Northern Arkansas and Missouri, is celebrating 37 years. Jimmy Yancy has been with the company 20 years. Judy Linzy, customer care representative and community ambassador, was presented with a hero award. Jonesboro-based Suddenlink Mid South Community and Government Affairs Manager Maryce Cunningham was elected president of the Louisiana Cable and Telecommunications Association and chairman of the Arkansas Cable Telecommunications Association. She received the LCTA’s Virgil Evans Award and the 2009 Achievement Award from the national Association of Cable Communicators. Suddenlink’s Jonesboro location employs 40. For more information, call 1866-401-3769.
Randolph County leaders aim to continue moving area toward growth BY GEORGE JARED SUN STAFF WRITER
POCAHONTAS — Steps taken by community leaders in 2009 may lead to massive economic growth in Randolph County and surrounding areas in the coming years. Last year county and Pocahontas city officials joined the Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority. The partnership includes the cities of Hoxie, Walnut Ridge and Corning. Lawrence and just recently Clay counties, joined the group focused on building an industrial “super site” within the next five years, according to officials. “We’re miles ahead of most communities that have to do this from scratch,” Randolph County Chamber Executive Director Tim Scott said. Several years ago Gov. Mike Beebe envisioned the creation of large, industrial sites, ones that could attract a manufacturer that would employ at least 1,000 workers. Authority Chairman Wayne Gearhart said he heard that calling and began to work toward build-
ing one of those sites in Northeast Arkansas. About 300 acres near the Walnut Ridge Airport in Lawrence County have been tapped as the best place to put an industrial park by Crafton Tull and Sparks, the engineering firm hired to develop plans for a site. The Walnut Ridge Airport tentatively approved leasing the acres to the Authority at a recent meeting. The close proximity of the airport to Randolph County could mean highpaying employment for its citizens, Scott said. And engineers determined that if a major manufacturer decided to locate at the airport, Pocahontas has ample warehousing space that could create even more jobs, he said. Officials chose the airport because of it has air, rail, highway and water transportation outlets. A lot of progress had been made by the Authority by the time it celebrated its one-year anniversary in January, but more work remains, Scott said. Officials will start petitioning for federal and state funds to develop the
project further, he said. It will be two or three years before the site and incentive packages will be completed, he added. Randolph County didn’t add a major job-producing business in 2009, but efforts to save Five Rivers Medical Center since 2007 may have saved the county hundreds of jobs. Over the last two years since the city created a public entity to buy the hospital as it faced closure, it has become more soluble, said Scott, who also serves as an alderman on the Pocahontas City Council. In December 2009 the city was given a $7.5 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to buy the hospital from the public entity. The low-interest loan will help the city save at least $15,000 a month in interest payments, officials said. Five Rivers Administrator John Tucker is a primary reason the hospital that was on the verge of closure is starting to thrive, Scott said. Pinnacle Frames and Accents recently hired 30 more workers as its contracts have expanded, officials said. The com-
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THE JONESBORO SUN
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OUTLOOK 2010
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SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010
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Auto dealers see clear roads ahead in 2010 BY CURT HODGES SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — Local automobile dealerships have seen increased traffic and sales in their showrooms despite a recession and recalls. Ken Yarbrough, general manager of Central Dealerships in Jonesboro, said the region’s people make the difference. “The majority of people here go to work every day and try to do their best,” Yarbrough said. “They pay their bills, their mortgages, buy groceries, give to charity, go out to eat, shop and buy cars and trucks.” It’s the last part that has kept Yarbrough’s attention during General Motors’ troubles and now Toyota’s. “All of the GM brands are on the upswing,” Yarbrough said. “It’s been a remarkable turnaround,” he said. Lamenting the demise of Pontiac, Yarbrough said it seems that Buick is
picking up steam and becoming a leading brand for the company. But then he’s also amazed by Chevrolet, which he said is having its own resurgence led by the Malibu and the new Traverse Crossover and being pushed along solidly by the ever-popular Chevrolet Silverado. Central also has Nissan, which Yarbrough said has been a steady performer for the dealership during the worst of the recession and as Toyota sales slumped in the face of recalls. “Nissan has always been a good brand for us,” Yarbrough said. Even with its troubles, Toyota is still doing well, and Yarbrough said the dealership, when word of the fix came out, started notifying its customers and making the repairs. “We have done more than 1,000 recall repairs at our store,” he said. “The recall business is still steady, but not like it was a couple of
weeks ago.” Long-term, Yarbrough remains upbeat, probably due in large part to his experience as a farmer. “I’m an optimist when it comes to Northeast Arkansas,” he said. “I think we are fortunate to live in this part of this state.” Aaron Baltz of Cavenaugh Ford Lincoln Mer-
cury agrees the people of NEA are the key to success in this area. He said business the last year has been ups and downs and so far in 2010 it has been up. “Business has been real good,” Baltz said, way up from 2009, and that’s almost across the board of the brands that Cav-
enaugh dealerships in Jonesboro and NEA offer — Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia — “they’re all doing well, and sales are up.” “I think the troubles that Toyota has had have helped some,” Baltz said. He said because of those troubles people are looking into other brands, and he said they are finding
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Devin Smith (left) and Kevin James wipe down a Chevrolet Monte Carlo at Central Dealerships in Jonesboro on Wednesday.
what they are looking for and buying. “I’m going to say our business is up 15 percent,” he said. Over the past 30 days Baltz said there has been a remarkable increase in traffic and business. He sees a number of reasons for that. For one, the car companies appear to be in better shape. Because of the shakeout there is less competition and a smaller inventory taking away the desperation that he saw in companies trying to move vehicles they had on hand. He also said the quality of the vehicles has improved. “There are good deals to be made, and people are making them,” he said. “The economy seems to be improving, and that may be part of the increase we are seeing in vehicle sales.” Both men said they see 2010 as improving across the board. curth@jonesborosun.com
Construction down in area in ’09 BY RAY WHITESIDE SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — Construction in Jonesboro and Craighead County was down in 2009 compared to 2008. “I’d say it dropped by 80 percent. People just aren’t building,” said 911 coordinator Mark Hogan, who registers new addresses for emergency response purposes. Hogan said most people are buying homes instead of building new ones. “It’s just more feasible to buy with the way the economy is right now, but there are still a lot of empty homes out there,” he said. Mobile homes have also become more prevalent, the director said. Terry Adams, chief building official for Jones-
boro, said the county seat hasn’t fared much better. Home building permits are down, while multifamily and commercial permits are slightly up, he said. “Overall, we didn’t do as well in 2009 as we did in 2008,” he said. “The economy has really hurt us.” The city issued 3,818 building permits in 2009 with an estimated construction cost of more than $88.2 million. Residential building permits numbered 335 and cost an estimated $30,954,367, while 46 commercial building permits were issues and cost about $20,387904. Areas that saw residential growth included Sage Meadows in north Jonesboro, and RidgePointe, Plantation Estates and the Valley View area in south
Jonesboro, Adams said. Two major commercial projects occurred in 2009 — Nordex USA Inc. in east Jonesboro and Families Inc. on Johnson Ave., he said. Craighead County does not issue building permits but tracks new projects primarily by address registration through the 911 emergency system, officials said. “The economy is still showing its downside, but I do think that in the spring and summer permit numbers will jump back up,” Adams said. April 2009 was the best month for permits in the city when 316 permits were issued and valued at $16,535,469. The worst month was January, when only 183 permits valued at $1,194,460 were issued.
Trumann Trumann Chamber of Commerce director Jackie Ross said construction workers are building a new McDonald’s restaurant on Industrial Drive near the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The restaurant will replace a longtime building on Arkansas 463, Ross said. Ross said the number of housing permits granted here have increased since early 2009. At least 22 new homes and 68 add-ons were also built in 2009, Ross said.
Harrisburg David Owens, an immediate past president of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce, said a new senior center was built near the Poinsett County Fairgrounds along North East Street earlier this year. Owens said several churches have added onto the buildings, while doctors’ offices and businesses have sprung up along Arkansas 1 heading into the Poinsett County town.
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The city plans to expand its water and sewer lines
John Flora | Special to The Sun
Steve Cline of Bono marks a 2-by-4 for cutting Wednesday afternoon at a new home construction site in Blue Ridge Estates at Brookland. along an incorporated stretch of land along U.S. 63. About 100 acres of commercial land will receive service from Cox Kawasaki shop to Sullens Road. Officials hope the $236,000 project will spur growth near the HoxieWalnut Ridge bypass. To pay for the systems upgrade, the city received a federal Rural Devel-
opment grant. Wilson Schmidt owns the land and wants it improved for business growth, officials said. Officials expect significant business growth on 63 in the coming years. Sun staff writers Michael Wilkey and George Jared contributed to this story. rwhiteside@jonesborosun.com
Chamber works on county level in Cross, starts leader program BY MICHAEL WILKEY SUN STAFF WRITER
WYNNE — Officials with the Cross County Chamber of Commerce are approaching issues in a countywide manner and working to reach out to people in the county’s four towns and unincorporated areas. Brian Thompson, director for external affairs for the chamber, said the past year and a half has been busy for chamber members. Thompson said the chamber created a leadership program in 2008, and the first class graduated in May. The first class of 14 members was sponsored by the University of Arkansas Extension Service, Thompson said. “The class was open to residents and people who work in the county,” Thompson said. “We visited all incorporated cities and visited Little Rock, the Clinton Presidential Library and the Arkansas Electrical Cooperatives headquarters.” Several chamber committees grew in membership in the first three months of 2010. The chamber faced a pair of setbacks in 2009
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as county residents voted no on a pair of sales tax elections to extend the county’s sales tax on economic development. In March 2009 voters went against the proposal by a vote of 807-to-678. That vote was followed up in September 2009 by a 1,343-to-1,204 vote against extending the tax
‘We want to equip people with economic development knowledge.’ Melissa Rivers CrossRoads Coalition for three years. The tax was passed by county voters in 1999. Despite both defeats, Thompson said chamber officials are looking at other options on funding and are optimistic. Thompson said chamber officials will continue to push for a countywide approach for economic development and growth. In the past year or so, Thompson said the county has seen growth with Neil M. Footwear Inc., a Wynne shoe manufacturer; Ashrock Metals, a company that recycles iron and non-iron metals, in Wynne; and a new
Dollar General in Cherry Valley along Arkansas 1.
CrossRoads Coalition The executive director of the 10-county coalition, based in Wynne, said the group is working with officials in Cross County and other areas to promote economic development. Melissa Rivers said the CrossRoads Coalition has completed a strategic plan for its coverage area, which includes Cross, Mississippi and Poinsett counties. Regional tourism is also a focus of the group, created in 2002 by people in Cross, Crittenden and St. Francis counties who were attempting to lure a Toyota plant to the region. The group is also working on a regional leaders program in 2010 and a youth work readiness program in 2011, Rivers said. “We want to equip people with economic development knowledge,” Rivers said. “(The leaders program) will help them if a prospect comes. They will be able to handle the prospect.” The 8-week youth program targeting school students will teach personal responsibility, time management, finance and career planning. mwilkey@jonesborosun.com
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Area chamber integral to Jonesboro’s success BY CURT HODGES SUN STAFF WRITER
JONESBORO — Many people, when moving to a new city or planning such a move, make their first contact with the Chamber of Commerce. T h a t ’s something people do almost daily in Jonesboro, and the friendly, informed staff at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce is ready to answer most questions people ask. Since its inception in 1915, the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce has been the leader in business and commerce in Northeast Arkansas. The chamber is the only viable organization that exerts its total effort toward developing business and commerce in this area. The chamber is a voluntary organization of business people working together to improve the civic and economic vitality of our community. Chamber members give countless hours to the agency they believe has played a critical role in the growth of Jonesboro into a regional service center. It’s that community participation and enthusiasm that have made the chamber a success, officials said. Cari White, chamber chief operating officer, said 2009 and 2010 have been successful despite economic difficulties around the nation.
“The main thing we have been saying, and we know it to be true, is that [Jonesboro] has been so fortunate and blessed in that we have not experienced the drastic economic turndown that has been seen in other parts of the nation and even other parts of Arkansas,” White said. There have been problems, she said, but not to the extent experienced elsewhere in the nation. In 2009 Jonesboro experienced an increase in the number of jobs even during a worldwide economic recession. This city was one of five communities in the South that saw positive job growth for six consecutive months, according to Southern Business and Development and was the only Arkansas city so listed, White said. Nordex USA broke ground for its $100 million facility last year; NicePak began production; StarTek and the Alberto Culver Co. expanded and hired additional people; and Nestle Prepared Foods invested more than $60 million to expand its frozen foods manufacturing facility, creating 200 additional jobs in the process, chamber officials noted. Highway projects, SeaPort Airlines providing essential air service and many other activities highlighted a growth year, chamber officials said. New houses are still be-
ing built here, real estate values are holding up well, and other factors in the local economy remain positive in a period when those same factors were negative in other parts of the nation. An annual chamber activity that has proven to be valuable is the Washington Fly-In. This year the event was Feb. 27 though March 3. Ed Way, chairman of the chamber’s Transportation Committee and Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin said they felt that the 2010 visit was successful in not only continuing the local contact with congressional representatives but solidifying their relationships with congressional staff members with whom they are in contact regularly. That contact has allowed the city to reap many benefits such as grants for infrastructure and recreation, airport improvements and most of all highway improvements including funding for a connector between U.S. 67 at Arkansas 226 to U.S. 49 west of Jonesboro at Gibson Switch. “Projects like that and other highway improvements don’t just benefit Jonesboro, but all of Northeast Arkansas and beyond,” the mayor said. “It is a team effort.” He said the chamber’s leadership over the years in all aspects of economic development has been one of the keys to the success for Jonesboro and the en-
Saundra Sovick | The Sun
Rick Bowen (left) hands Laura Weaver a card as Weaver visits with Bowen and Holly Stanley at The Salvation Army’s booth for the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 Business Expo inside tire region. Enabling Mark Young, chamber president and chief executive officer, to concentrate on industrial recruitment, Perrin said the city has saw industrial growth in the city expand during hard times. “That has really paid dividends for us,” Perrin said. Jonesboro is the fifth largest city in Arkansas and the second largest in square miles. Form a triangle by connecting Little Rock, St. Louis and Memphis on a map, and you’ll see Jonesboro stands out as the largest metropolitan city in what amounts to 17,000 square miles. Strategically located within 70 miles of Memphis with a 4-lane access the entire way, it takes less than an hour to reach the Bluff City, which many consider to be the nation’s trucking and distribution center. It is that strategic lo-
the Arkansas State University Convocation Center at Jonesboro last April 23. The 2010 expo is scheduled for April 22 with the theme “A Billion Acts of Green.”
cation and the quality of leadership, including the work of the chamber of commerce, that has helped to forge Jonesboro into the trade center that it has become. The city is a proven leader in a number of categories attractive to business, including geography, favorable climate, viable economy, advantageous tax structure, affordable housing, low crime rate, growing medical community, opportunity for education, expanding retail and industrial community, recreational opportunities, cultural, sports and civic organizations, plus low utility costs. The Jonesboro Metropolitan Statistical Area was recently recognized as seventh strongest in the nation for manufacturing. There are more than 100 industrial plants or facilities in the Jonesboro area, according to the chamber.
The city includes attractive plant sites in four industrial parks and highquality transportation infrastructure. Jonesboro is served by two railroads, about 50 trucking companies and a regional airport which offers airline service to Memphis. Memphis International Airport is only an hour away by car. The Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce is located at 1709 East Nettleton Ave. It can be reached at 932-6691 or online at www.jonesboro chamber.org. The chamber staff includes: Young; White; Donna Holt, economic development associate; Mandy Cook, membership director; Tammy Pope, director of operations; Candace Martin, director of business and community development; and Octavia Lewis, receptionist. curth@jonesborosun.com
Software company focuses on business mail services JONESBORO — SynTel LLC, incorporated in 1999, develops software used by businesses to earn discounts on postage rates through the use of mail automation software called AutoMail, to manage documents through Mailstream Manager and to prepare year-end IRS notices for banks through Tax Notice Solution. AutoMail gives qualified users the opportunity to earn an average of 25 percent on postage rates. Mailstream, which includes AutoMail, helps businesses design, process, print and-or deliver documents to an electronic archive for research and e-Delivery. SynTel’s 2010 plans are to launch SynTel Print Solutions (SPS).
By the end of the 2nd quarter of this year, the company intends to inaugurate SPS to provide third-party outsourced, print-to-mail services to all businesses. This will be especially useful for processing DDA checking accounts, daily and periodic notices for certain banks. SPS will also complete and process marketing mailings for banks and other businesses. Disaster Recovery services will be offered through the company to banks in SPS’ secured, document production environment. Banks are required to have a disaster recovery back-up site and SPS plans to offer this service to banks within a 250mile radius of Jonesboro. In 2009 the company
Evonne McMinn, marketing and pre-installation coordinator for SynTel, prepares a mailing for a customer on a Pitney-Bowes DI-9050 folder-inserter on March 3.
pursued an initiative to develop and market software solutions that are not dependent on the U.S. Postal Service for their value proposition, but include AutoMail in the event users want to earn mail automation discount postage rates. Syntel also set out to develop solutions that would offer electronic delivery of documents, which would allow users to broaden their delivery channels beyond print-tomail documents to include electronic archive, e-mail, Internet, fax and mobile devices. The company, owned by Harry Herget, Steve Smith and Jim Melescue, is located at 3401 One Place, Jonesboro, and employs 26 workers. Key officers include Jim Jackson, senior vice president of sales; Tommy Shewmaker, senior vice president of development; and Jeremiah James, vice president project manager. Jackson has been with the company for 10 years and oversees sales and marketing activities. James now oversees the scope of work on all software installations, required changes and enhancements.
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Poinsett looks to grow
PUNCH
BY MICHAEL WILKEY SUN STAFF WRITER
SPECIAL RESERVE
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HARRISBURG — The county’s chambers of commerce have been busy in the past year or so working on city-related projects and an economic development program. In 2008 the county began a partnership in a pilot program with the Arkansas State University Delta Center for Economic Development and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives. At the time of the announcement, Jerry Smith, an official with the Delta Center, said the program was key to future growth in the county. “In collaborating, you’re not just a collection of towns. Something new will come from it. ... You bring together assets, stressing equity, not equality,” Smith said. He said officials have focused on creating the
Marion Bearden, Waldenburg Mayor William Wood and Weiner Mayor Arthur Booth — got behind the effort, Smith said. County Judge Charles Nix of Harrisburg also played a vital role in the plan. “It happened under the leadership of Charles Nix. He applied for the program. The countywide economic development program is a program of substance, with enough resources and assets.” Smith said Delta Center officials are close to having information for a cohesive plan. “The future for our area is going to hold some growth,” David Owens, Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce board member, said. “We are working with Trumann and other towns on economic development, for economic development countywide.”
program in 2009 and early 2010. Several town-hall meetings were held around the county, from Marked Tree to Trumann to Harrisburg, to gauge the support and ideas of residents, while a key part of the program was to get the support from city and county leaders, Smith said. A combined effort by city, county and industrial leaders can benefit the area, Smith said. “Weiner and Marked Tree alone may have limited resources. But when you combine, you have so much to work with,” he said. Each of the city mayors in Poinsett County — Fisher Mayor Homer Anschultz, Harrisburg Mayor Donnie Faulkner, Lepanto Mayor Kevin Wright, Marked Tree Mayor Dixon Chandler, Trumann Mayor Sheila Walters, Tyronza Mayor
mwilkey@jonesborosun.com
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Newport chamber stays busy BY JUDY BEARD SPECIAL TO THE SUN
NEWPORT — In Newport community involvement begins with the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber, under the direction of Julie Allen, plays an instrumental role in activities to instruct, beautify, entertain and welcome new businesses and people to the community. This is the eighth year the chamber has hosted a New Vision Newport class. The monthly class promotes leadership and community involvement. Class alumni have gone on to hold many elected and leadership roles in Jackson County including positions on city councils, quorum court and school boards. “This year’s class has already proven to be very competitive,” Newport Industrial Development Director Jon Chadwell said. “They are not willing to give up when faced with problems.” In August the chamber hosted the fourth annual Business Expo at the Newport Business Resource Center. This year’s event featured more than 30 local businesses and organizations. Admission
to the event was free. The chamber also co-hosts an annual job fair with the NEDC each year. “The job fair and Business Expo are just two ways we try to serve the needs of our members and the community,” Allen said. One of the chamber’s newest projects is the Community Pride recognition program, which began four years ago. The program acknowledges businesses and organizations that do something new to beautify their property. The chamber also plays a major role in the community’s two yearly festivals, Portfest and Depot Days. The 29th Annual Portfest celebration will be on the banks of the White
River at Jacksonport State Park the first weekend in June. Entertainment already announced includes rock legend Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, who will perform June 4. Saturday’s entertainment is still in negotiations, but Shenandoah has signed as the opening act. Residents bring their lawn chairs to Front Street for the Depot Days Celebrations in the fall. The 1day festival includes arts and crafts, a live auction, barbecue cooking contest and entertainment. The 2009 festival paid tribute to rockabilly legend Billy Lee Riley, who died that year. It also marked the official dedication of Rock N Roll U.S. 67 from Newport to Pocahontas. This year’s festival
Judy Beard | Special to the Sun
A young boy buys concessions at Portfest.
will be late September. One of the chamber’s newest efforts is the Delta Arts Commission, which was recently renamed the Blue Bridge Regional Arts Center. The project is in its second year of development led by three members of the Clinton School of Public Service. The ultimate goal is to open a freestanding center in downtown Newport. Other activities sponsored by the chamber include the Miss Three Rivers Scholarship Pageant and the Miss Outstanding Teen Contests, which are preliminary pageant for the Miss Arkansas and Miss Outstanding Teen Arkansas. The Christmas Parade is also a community favorite each December. The chamber also hosts the annual Chamber Banquet and Awards Dinner in February. This year’s featured speaker was Clinton School Director Skip Rutherford. The chamber’s most basic but important function is membership. In 2009 it held a membership drive, which resulted in more than 50 new members. “Membership is key to our success,” Allen said. “We are here to serve the people and businesses ... in whatever way we can.
Blytheville growing, looking to future BY NAN SNIDER SPECIAL TO THE SUN
BLYTHEVILLE — The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce is 500 members strong and growing. “We keep our members very involved in whatever is going on in our city and the surrounding area,” Executive Director Liz Smith said. “Members volunteer to attend all public meetings, which includes school boards, city councils and quorum court. We stay close to public issues. “Like all other cities we have felt the impact this year of the recession but have kept sponsors. We can best help our merchants and citizens by knowing about future plans, financial situations and current needs of our community. “The chamber is an active, persuasive stimulus in governmental affairs, especially at the local, county and state levels,” she said. “We pledge to be an influential voice in local and regional legislative issues affecting the business community.”
Political work “We have expanded our political advisory program,” Smith said. “We independently travel to Washington, D.C., two times a year, in the fall and in the spring.” The chamber will host a political forum on May 18 to get to know the candidates running for office in 2010. The monthly chamber luncheon is well-attended,
and the program always includes informative speakers addressing current topics. An honors banquet is held each year in March with special recognition given to Educator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Large and Small Business of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards. This year’s banquet was March 15. The Greater Blytheville Chamber of Commerce Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. “We are a community development-orientated chamber,” Smith said. “We work with (Arkansas State University) in Jonesboro through social networking and small business development. We have a continued alliance with ANC, here in Blytheville, and are very proud of their strong educational base.”
‘Book from Jan’ The Blytheville Chamber started “Books from Jan” to honor Jan Ball Gurley after her death in 2007. Gurley served as educational chairman for the chamber for many years. The chamber established the foundation and patterned it after the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. “We have enrolled 120 children in Books from Jan,” Smith said. “Each child gets a book a month from birth until the time they are 5 years old, for a total of 60 books. This ... has produced more avid readers among our students. The results are phenomenal when a child
is encouraged to appreciate books and to read. The program is accessible to all children in our area, and the foundation pays for the books and mailing.” Blytheville held its third in a series “Star Dust on Blytheville” at the Ritz Civic Center downtown. The historic early 1900s opera house on Main Street, which contains 475
‘Above all, our area is a community of leaders, that come to the table and make things work.’ Liz Smith executive director, Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce seats, is also home to the Blytheville Arts Council. Smith serves as author interviewer for the hour and a half “Star Dust” program. “We are fortunate to have That Book Store in Blytheville,” Smith said. “Owner Mary Gaye Shipley draws many famous writers to Blytheville for book signings at her store. We have been able to have three of them speak at ‘Star Dust in Blytheville.’ Authors have included John Grisham, George Hamilton, and Sam and Mary Haskil. The proceeds from the Haskil event were donated to our Books for Jan program.” “Booking with the
chamber is another educational program the chamber sponsors,” Smith said. “Members read to first- and second-graders in area elementary schools. Book circles are being established for students through the eighth grade.” The chamber continues to sponsor the Junior Blytheville Leadership Program, which has 35 students enrolled this year. Blytheville will soon add another educational first for Northeast Arkansas, with the addition of a Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) school. There is only one other such school in the state, and it is in Helena. KIPP is a national network of free, open enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. The new school is to be on South Franklin Street and will begin with fifth-grade students. “We are not a high cost of living area,” Smith said. “And we are not totally dependent on tourism. We were continually moving forward on a progressive trail until the national economy took a nosedive, and now we are working to keep all programs going until the economy improves. “Above all, our area is a community of leaders, that come to the table and make things work. They continually amaze me. They never give up and always look optimistically toward the future.”
Chamber focuses on young workers BY GEORGE JARED SUN STAFF WRITER
PARAGOULD — Developing young professionals and keeping them in Greene County is the goal of a new program instituted by the Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce. Paragould Young Professionals has 25 members, and officials hope the number will grow to 50 by year’s end, Chamber Executive Director Sue McGowan said, adding, “We want to develop our young professionals and give them tools to succeed.” Chamber members from ages 21 to 39 may join the group. A nominal membership fee must be paid, and participants are expected to attend seminars and meetings, membership director Lesley Hobbs said. Seminar topics have included balancing work and home life and healthy eating and exercise, Hobbs said. Future topics will cover buying a first home and saving and investing money. Members range from the self-employed to industrial workers and those in the medical field.
Slow year for development Industrial recruitment and business development were slow in 2009 due to the national recession. “This is an attractive area for business,” McGowan said. “Activity all over the country has just been slow.” But recent signs point to an improving economy, McGowan said. Major employers such as Anchor Packaging have expanded employee bases, and less workers are being laid-off, she said. American Railcar industries, one the largest employers in Northeast Arkansas, recently announced it will start building self-propelled passenger train cars in Paragould and Marmaduke. McGowan said she is cautiously optimistic that will add even more jobs this year to Greene County. Targeting land for industrial growth and devising plans to attract a major job provider are among the chamber’s goals in the coming year, the director said. The area’s labor force is its most attractive feature to potential industries, she said. “Our entire community can work together, and I think that’s important for attracting business,” McGowan said. gjared@jonesborosun.com
Lawrence busy as ever BY FRANK M. WITOWSKI JR. SPECIAL TO THE SUN
The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce remains intact and active despite a fragile economy. Chamber Executive Secretary Kathy Bradley said the chamber has 205 members. The chamber has several events throughout the year to promote business and industry in the county. “We have Business after Hours, quarterly meetings, an annual banquet, ribbon cuttings, anniversary recognition for businesses, an e-mail newsletter, festivals and other events throughout the year,” Bradley said. “The chamber is hosting a marketing seminar on April 28 to help current businesses as well as new ones market their business.” Bradley said the marketing seminar is a new event in the mix of what the chamber does to stimulate growth in Lawrence County. The marketing seminar which is open to the public will be from 1-3 p.m. at the Lawrence County meeting room next to the public library and will be led by Summer Deprow. “The chamber is always looking for ways to bring businesses into our area as well as helping current businesses remain,” Bradley said.
Iron Mountain Festival A new attraction gaining popularity in Lawrence County and across NEA is the Iron Mountain Festival held annually in downtown Walnut Ridge. Preparations are in the works already for this year’s event to be Oct. 30. “The Iron Mountain Festival is hosted by the chamber, but any monies made goes back in the event fund for next year’s festival,” Bradley said. The event consists of live entertainment featuring local bands, dance troops and vocalists, a Karate board break benefiting the L.C. food bank, a hot dog eating contest, train rides and games for children, a bicycle rodeo (a bicycle is given away to the winner), the Nuttin’ But Talent Show, an Arkansas Game & Fish Aquarium, Little Rock Zoo animals, an art show featuring local art students, quilters and china painters, a duck-calling contest, a moon walk and slide, pony rides, a dog costume contest, craft booths and food vendors. Bradley said the chamber currently does not have an executive director, adding that she has the only staff position at the chamber.
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