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June 20, 2018
THE POLK COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600 ...............................................................................................................................................................................
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BEAR STATE BANK IN MENA OFFICIALLY BECOMES FIRST FINANCIAL FRIDAY AT 5 P.M.
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he acquisition of Bear State Bank in Mena by First Financial Bank will be finalized Friday at the close of business. In April, First Financial Bank, which is based in El Dorado, announced they had entered into a purchase and assumption agreement to acquire the Bear State Bank branches in Mena. Greg Goss, Mena Market President, is excited about bring First Financial’s community bank brand to Mena. “Customers will not only love their professional, helpful staff and great financial services, but First Financial really gets involved in the communities where they do business,” stated FFB CONTINUED ON PAGE
MENA CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER APPEAL OF RE-ZONING REQUEST IN JULY
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une 12th, the Mena City Council met in regular session. Aldermen approved several reports and heard reports from varies department heads, including the police chief, hospital administrator and airport manager. Aldermen voted to pass a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk/ Treasurer to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for improvements to the runways and taxiways. Aldermen authorized City Clerk Linda Rexroad to solicit quotes for CD renewals from the City’s general funds. Rexroad reported the current CDs will mature in July. COUNCIL CONTINUED ON PAGE
CUTLINE: Historic two-story building in Mena will be turning a page to a new chapter this Friday when Bear State Bank officially becomes First Financial Bank at 5 p.m. this Friday.
MENA AIRPORT AWARDED $3.47 MILLION FOR TAXIWAY RENOVATION PROJECT
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our Arkansas airports will receive $20.96 million in federal grants with $3.47 million of the money allocated to renovate the taxiway at the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport. On June 8th, Secretary Elaine Chao of the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the Federal Aviation Administration would award $677 million in airport infrastructure grants as the first allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improve-
ment Program funding for U.S. airports. The 241 grants will pay for 346 infrastructure projects for runways, taxiways, aprons and terminals. Along with the Mena Intermountain Municipal Airport, airports in Springdale, Stuttgart and the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill will receive federal grant money. Springdale Municipal Airport will receive $2.88 million for runway lighting and to rehabilitate its runway. Stuttgart
Municipal Airport will receive $996,921 to rehabilitate its runway. The Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport will receive $13.61 million to repair the taxiway. If you want a strong transportation system, you have to invest in airport infrastructure,” Chao said. “Airports are the backbone of aviation. These communities are going to reap greater safety, efficiency and economic dividends for years to come.”