Hot Spring County unveils strategic plan

Hot Spring County presents its 10-year strategic plan for growth and development

Citizens cite broadband access, job creation, housing, more as needs.

Story and Photos by Christy L. Smith AAC Communications Director

Hot Spring County Judge Dennis Thornton welcomed about 200 guests to the unveiling of Hot Spring County Conversations (HSCC) 10-year strategic plan on Aug. 20, at the College of the Ouachitas in Malvern.

HSCC “is a future-focused, positive community development initiative” that began in Fall 2017, according to the narrative in the strategic plan. It began as an effort to discover the needs of Hot Spring County residents and to identify community leaders able to take action to meet those needs.

HSCC leaders worked with the University of Central Arkansas’ Center for Community and Economic Development, and with Newport Economic Development Commission Executive Director Jon Chadwell on the project.

Two countywide meetings were held, and a countywide survey was distributed. The success of those meetings and survey led Judge Thornton and the HSCC executive committee to hold two meetings at each of the five school districts (Bismarck, Glen Rose, Ouachita, Magnet Cove, and Malvern) in the county. Residents in each community were invited to attend and provide their feedback on how to improve life in Hot Spring County, as well as in their particular community.

“When Hot Spring County Conversations began its very purpose was to set vision and goals by community and county,” Judge Thornton said during the unveiling ceremony. “Goals that were set by you — the citizens of Hot Spring County. Through this we have action groups throughout the county working together.”

The executive committee identified five areas to improve upon by 2030. For instance, by 2030 Hot Spring County will have a skilled workforce that meets the needs of current and future businesses and industries. Other goals were established in the areas of job creation; family recreation and youth activities; health and public safety; and housing, real estate and downtown development.

Residents of Bismarck named entrepreneurship and small business development as their first priority. The Glen Rose

and Magnet Cove communities prioritized internet access. Malvern identified education, job creation and workforce development as its No. 1 priority. The Ouachita community did much the same by naming education and workforce development as its primary focus.

Other speakers included Shelby Fiegel, managing director of the Center for Community and Economic Development at the University of Central Arkansas; Chadwell of Newport; Rex Nelson, senior editor of the Arkansas DemocratGazette; and Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

The Governor commended Hot Spring County for developing a “successful” 10year strategic plan that mirrors and supplements the state’s strategic plan in its focus on education, job creation, and the expansion of internet service.

Going forward, Community Action Teams and Steering Committees will meet regularly to work on implementing the communities’ initiatives. Opposite page: Members of the Hot Spring County Conversations executive commitee, who are posing for a photo with Gov. Asa Hutchinson, were vital in gathering data from citizens about their long-range vision for Hot Spring County. Above Left: Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Newport Economic Development Commission provided guidance to the executive committee. Above Right: Arkansas Democrat Gazette Senior Editor and Columnist Rex Nelson and Shelby Fiegel, Managing Director of the Center for Community and Economic Development at the University of Central Arkansas also were invited speakers.