2012 SRCC Annual Report

CONTENTS Chamber Board ........................................... 3 Chamber Mission and Staff ......................... 4 Chamber Accomplishments ........................ 5 SREDC Board ............................................. 13 SREDC Accomplishments .......................... 14

MISSION STATEMENT The purpose for which the organization is organized is to advance and promote the industrial, commercial and civic interest of the City of Searcy, Arkansas and its vicinity and thereby secure and preserve a high quality of life for its citizens.

STAFF Buck C. Layne -------------------------------------- President Tara S. Cathey ------------------------------ Vice President Betty S. Smith -----------------------------Office Manager

2012 BOARD Greg Angel ----------------------------------------------- Chairman of the Board Paul Ford ---------------------------------------------------------- Vice Chairman Wade Turner ------------------------------------------------------------- Treasurer Steve Jordan -------------------------------------------------------Past Chairman Lester Allen --------------------------------------------Cintas – Searcy Division Richard Cargile -------------------------------------- Cargile Insurance Agency Adam Hart ----------------------------------------------------- Hart Construction Kayla Osborne ----------------------------------------------------- Regions Bank Bobby Thompson ---------------------------- Bobby T's Mattress & Furniture Wade Turner ------------------------------- Allen Wade Turner and Associates David Evans ---------------------------------- Southwestern Energy Company Paul Ford ------------------------------------------------------- Entergy Arkansas Teresa Holden ---------------------------------------- Professional Escrow, Inc. Bill Marion ------------------------------------------- Land O’Frost of Arkansas Patrick Stegall ----------------------------------------------- First Security Bank Bob White ----------------------------------------------- Woodman of the World Gary Laney----------------------------------------------- First Community Bank Phil McGrath ----------------------------------------------------------- Bike City Dr. Eugene McKay--------------------------------------------------- ASU Beebe J.R. Thomas --------------------------------------------------- State of Arkansas Peggy Turner ----------------------------------- White County Medical Center Mike Williams ----------------------------------------------- Harding University 1-Year Term Members at Large David Morris---------------------------------------------------- Mayor of Searcy Michael Lincoln -------------------------------------------- White County Judge Diane Barrett----------------------------------------------Searcy Public Schools Charles Green------------------------------------------------------- Liberty Bank

ACCOMPLISHMENTS MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT White County Business EXPO The twelfth annual Business EXPO was held July 31 at the Ganus Center on the Harding University Campus. The “By-Invitation-Only” event began at 10:30 a.m.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission Film Commissioner, Christopher Crane, was the guest speaker. He discussed how communities can prepare themselves for the film industry and the economic benefits of the film industry to Arkansas. EXPO sponsors were: Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Bryce Corporation, Orr Nissan, Southwestern Energy, Cintas and ASU Beebe. Over 90 booths displayed products and services in the 2012 EXPO Businesses and included companies from manufacturing, food services, law, medical, financial services and non-profits. Best in Products Display Winner was Sassy Sweets and Best in Show Winner was Holiday Inn Express.

Chairman's Memorial Golf Tournament The twelfth annual Chairman's Memorial Golf Tournament was held September 21, 2012 at The Course at River Oaks. The tournament’s honoree was community leader and businessman Mr. Roger Williams. A field of twenty-nine teams participated. Members of the DeVore Re/Max Advantage Team took home the 2012 Trophy Title.

Chamber Insurance Program The chamber participated in the Chamber Alliance Program for the eighth consecutive year. This is a statewide health insurance program for small business (1-199 employees) available only to those organizations that are members of a participating chamber. This “Chamber Program” is available for any independent agent that desires to be appointed to market the program and who is a member of the Searcy Chamber.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Annual Chamber Banquet The 66th Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting was held November 19 in the Heritage Center at Harding University. During the event, Al and Carla Fowler were presented the Spirit of the Chamber Award for their volunteerism efforts. This award honors a person or persons, that go above and beyond the call of duty and through his or her enthusiasm and dedication they set an example for future volunteers.

White County Judge Michael Lincoln, the White County Quorum Court and the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation were also honored for their efforts and also their financial contributions to the Highway 13 Extension and the new Searcy Airport Terminal. The Workforce Development Committee, including Paul Ford and Phil McGrath were also recognized for being selected Arkansas Business City of Distinction Winner in the Workforce Development Category.

After the award, recognitions and introductions of the new board, guest speaker Dr. Charles Welch, President of the Arkansas State University System, spoke about the importance of building relationships within a community to further economic development, research taking place on the campus, the sports program and the future direction of the Arkansas State University System. Sponsors of the event include BHP Billiton, Southwestern Energy, and Energy of Arkansas.

Business After Hours The committee facilitates casual networking opportunities that are held at local Chamber Member businesses. These late afternoon/early evening events are ideal for meeting fellow professionals and establishing long-lasting business relationships.

There were 12 Business After Hours held this year. Sponsors included: Crossfit, Bike City, Charlie’s Auto Paint and Body, White County Medical Center, Mobilized Verizon, Crain Media, First Security Bank, Nailsville, Professional Escrow, Bliss Salon, Hampton Inn and ZAXBY’S.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Ambassador Committee Represented the chamber at community events, open houses, ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours. The chamber conducted 19 Ribbon cuttings for member businesses this year. The following business participated: Crossfit, Mr. Postman, First and Last Auto Glass, Northwestern Mutual, Sue’s Alterations, Centennial Bank, Gold Buying Center, Centennial Bank, Cowboy and Son, Lunch Box, North Star EMS, Searcy Eye Clinic, White River Area Agency on Aging, Bliss Salon, Energy Worxs LLC, Dine & Delivery, Stow & Go, Searcy Sweet Spot and the Avalon Day SPA. Small Business Council (SBC) John Twyford, ASBDC - Business Consultant, Social Media was the focus of the February 22 luncheon. The interest in Social Media was so great the committee scheduled a second luncheon April 25 entitled the Five Small Business Strategies for Social Media. Whitney West, ASBDC - Business Consultant was the facilitator.

In conjunction with the National Small Business Week the committee held a Small Business Day featuring two seminars “Financing for Small Business” and “Marketing for Small Business” on May 23.

On June 29 a free Trade Show Seminar was presented from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to help participants with marketing ideas for the EXPO. Consultants from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) facilitated each of these seminars.

Business After Hours The committee facilitates casual networking opportunities that are held at local Chamber Member businesses. These late afternoon/early evening events are ideal for meeting fellow professionals and establishing long-lasting business relationships.

There were 12 Business After Hours held this year. Sponsors included: Crossfit, Bike City, Charlie’s Auto Paint and Body, White County Medical Center, Mobilized Verizon, Crain Media, First Security Bank, Nailsville, Professional Escrow, Bliss Salon, Hampton Inn and ZAXBY’S.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Searcy Leadership Institute The 2012-2013 Searcy Leadership Institute class began September 6-7 at Camp Wyldewood. The mission of the SLI is aimed at developing a network of talented leaders for present and future community needs. The session runs from September to May, meeting the second Tuesday of each month excluding December. The Searcy Leadership Institute has completed twelve (12) successful classes with over 300 graduates, many of whom have gone on to serve in private and public community leadership roles. Topics of the session include; Team Building, Searcy/White County history, economic development, local education, state and local government and healthcare.

Young Professionals Network (YPN) The Young Professional Network (YPN) Committee hosted their first event of the year on March 1 which consisted of a tour of the new Cancer Center of Excellence.

Several members of the White County Medical Center team and staff spoke with the group and were on hand including Dr. C.W. Koch, Dr. Cheryl Payne, Stuart Hill and LaDonna Johnson. The focus for the evening was the recruitment of new members and allowing current members to network with members and guests while highlighting the Cancer Center of Excellence.

Searcy Beautification Project Following a trip to Fairhope, Alabama and visiting with their Mayor, leaders in Searcy and White County decided to build and place white, trash receptacles around the square and build a green house to grow plants locally. Inmate labor was utilized to build the trash receptacles and plans are to construct a green house and grow plants to beautify the cities in the county. The county plans to work in conjunction with the City of Searcy and Harding University to help beautify all the cities in the county.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Marketing City and County Map The updated four-color city and county map was very popular again this year. The map was produced by a company from New Mexico. The large 39 x 28 format allows for easier readability of the county’s 1,600 roads and the new subdivisions in the Searcy city limits.

Presentation Folder The chamber produced a four-color folder collateral piece for documents and information to be inserted and utilized in responding to inquiries to the chamber for the thirteenth consecutive year. Advertising space was sold on the back cover.

Community Guide The chamber endorsed and partnered with the Daily Citizen on the 2012 Community Guide for the thirteenth consecutive year. The Chamber Membership Directory was included in the guide to provide additional exposure for chamber members. The chamber staff designed and laid-out all copy pages (excluding advertisements).

Retirement Attraction The chamber placed an advertisement on the back cover of the Living in Arkansas Retirement Guide for the eighteenth consecutive year. This guide is mailed to individuals inquiring about the community and interested in retirement or tourism.

The guide was underwritten in part by Harding University and White County Medical Center.

Chamber LED Sign The Electronic Message Center continues to be a great marketing tool for chamber events and activities and generating street traffic into the chamber office.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Radio Spot The chamber was invited to participate in monthly radio interviews by KFLI-Cool 104.7 FM General Manager, Ben Williams. The purpose of the interviews was to update the community on chamber activities and events. Searcy Mayor David Morris, Small Business Committee Chair John Twyford and chamber president, Buck Layne participated in the interviews.

E–Flip Guide The chamber maintained a paper flip guide on the chamber website that allows visitors to view the Community Guide by clicking on the pages.

Mass Email Service The chamber continued to offer the Chamber email program in response to a number of requests to send out “sales” emails from our members. For a fee of $50 the chamber will forward one sales email (provided by the chamber member) per week per member business.

Facebook / Website The chamber maintained their Facebook page and posted chamber events and activities throughout the year. The chamber continued to expand and develop their website to ensure it is a useful tool for members and website visitors.

Business Resource Page: Includes links to free seminars and business assistance programs; CAP Insurance Program and the AR Health Networks Program; Also includes links to websites with business information and helpful articles Arkansassiteselection.com The chamber maintained data for Searcy and White County on the new website www.arkansassiteselection.com. This new site was produced as a partnership between the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and Teamwork Arkansas. Each community and county has designated property and community information managers. The chamber has taken on the role of the White County and the City of Searcy's Community Editor, as well as Property Manager for the City of Searcy and Bald Knob.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Eggs and Issues The first Eggs & Issues Breakfast was held February 28 and was a recap of the recent legislative session. State Representatives Mark Biviano, Jeremy Gilliam and Senator Eddie Joe Williams spoke. Cintas, Inc. sponsored the event.

The second Eggs & Issues breakfast was held April 18 at Harding University. The event was a Candidates Forum for incumbent White County Judge Michael Lincoln and challenger Bill Haynie. Cintas, Inc. sponsored the event.

The third Eggs & Issues breakfast was held May 15. Ray Montgomery, President and CEO White County Medical Center, spoke on the challenges and changes presented by the new health care legislation and the new services and physician recruitment at the hospital.

White County Medical Center was host and sponsor of the event.

Economic Club The first Economics Club Luncheon was held June 4. U.S. Representative Tim Griffin was the guest speaker at the Economics Club Luncheon. The luncheon was well attended with about 85 people and many mentioned it was a great meeting and thanked First Security Bank for sponsoring the event.

The fourth and final Eggs & Issues event was held October 17. The event was a Candidates Forum for the candidates seeking the office of State Representative District 46 and State Senate District 28. Incumbent State Representative Mark Biviano and challenger Kyle Osborne and incumbent State Senator Jonathan Dismang and challenger Tiffany Rogers participated. Cintas, Inc. sponsored the event.

The chamber passed a resolution in support of proposed constitutional amendment #1 for the construction, improvement and maintenance of a four-lane highway system in the state, this, with existing revenue, will provide $1.8 billion for four-lane projects.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Workforce Development / Education The Chamber of Commerce participated in the Arkansas Business City of Distinction program for the second consecutive year and submitted applications for the following categories: Main Street, Downtown & Historic Preservation; Quality of Life; Clean, Green and Sustainability Initiates; Workforce Development and Technology Advancements. The City of Searcy was selected as an Arkansas Business City of Distinction winner in the Workforce Development Category in 2012 for cities with a population more than 20,000.

The goal is to recognize cities for their efforts in these areas and to see if these programs would benefit other cities or to develop new ones to improve their city.

The competition is divided into population categories of cities less than 20,000 and greater than 20,000. Up to 10 cities will be recognized in December in a special supplement insert in Arkansas Business.

Transportation Highway #13 Extension Project The chamber worked with the “Citizen’s For Hwy 13 Project” committee on the County Sales Tax and the “Vote Yes for Roads & Jobs” committee on the City Sales Tax. The chamber wrote a letter to the Arkansas State Highway Commission Director, Dan Flowers in support of the most northern route for the Hwy 13 Project.

2012 SREDC

The Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation’s “100 for the Future” is an organization made up of a group of business and professional people who are concerned with the economic and Industrial growth of Searcy and White County; each whom invests a minimum of $250 per year.

SREDC BOARD Steve Lightle Reynie Rutledge David Evans Dr. David Burks Johnny Brock Stuart Dalrymple Ricky Floyd David Morris Donnie Miller

B & B Oil Company - President First Security Bank - Vice President Southwestern Energy Co. - Secretary/Treasurer Harding University - Past President Brock Excavating Dalrymple Residential & Commercial Sunrise Honda Mayor of Searcy Regions Bank

At Large Members: Michael Lincoln G. Michael Millar Greg Angel Paul Ford

White County Judge Attorney Chamber - Chairman of the Board Chamber - Vice Chairman

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AEDC Conference The City of Searcy hosted the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) in January for their monthly meeting. Stuart and Wendy Dalrymple, Greg Angel and David Morris, the sponsors and all those involved in helping to host the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s meeting in Searcy on January 4-5 were recognized for their work on the meeting. Governor Mike Beebe appointed Stuart Dalrymple to serve on the AEDC commission in 2011.

Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company The SREDC worked with Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company to acquire the 80-year old Yarnell Ice Cream Company. On April 19 a SQRound Breaking was held at the State Capitol.

Governor Mike Beebe, Searcy Mayor David Morris and company owner Kevin Boyle celebrated the return of Yarnells Ice Cream. An estimated 200 people were in attendance at the news conference and along with their new mascot “Scoop”. Mr. Boyle announced the return of ice creams, frozen yogurts and ice cream sandwiches. The company reopened the plant and is using original recipes and some former employees. A new rectangle-shaped carton will hold 56 ounces, up from the previous volume of 48. They initially will produce 17 flavors (nine Premium ice cream flavors, five Yogurt flavors and three Guilt Free flavors).

Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company – The SREDC continued to work with company officials on their search for a suitable tenant to lease the remaining 250,000 square feet of available space.

Recycle Solutions from Memphis, Tennessee leased 40,000 square feet. The company recycles plastic, cardboard, aluminum and bakery products. A second recycling company, RE-CY LLC, has also located in the facility. This company recycles plastic packaging.

Approximately 100,000 square feet remain available to lease.

ElectroCraft Arkansas The SREDC worked with ElectroCraft Arkansas on their expansion following the acquisition of two lines from Mexico. ElectroCraft requested the building currently leased from the SREDC be expanded to accommodate the fifty (50) new jobs to be created and the need for additional warehouse space. A 12,500 square foot addition was made to the rear of the building.

ACTIVITIES Existing Industry Entergy’s Regional Customer Service Manager, Paul Ford, introduced a ‘promotional’ campaign to reduce energy consumption and at the same time, provide a means to reduce carbon emissions (protect the environment). The idea has progressed / expanded to where the chamber of commerce is considering implementing a city-wide campaign next year to ‘Save Energy’. The idea is to promote energy efficiency for industry, small and large businesses, apartment complexes, homes, etc. Entergy and CenterPoint Energy have numerous programs that provide cash incentives and energy expertise for their customers.

Merchants who sell energy efficient products and provide services could also benefit from this type of campaign. The theme will be ‘Searcy Energy Smart’. Discussions with Entergy, CenterPoint, various media outlets, several business owners, and city leaders have received 100% support for the idea.

Rail service The chamber is seeking input from local business and industry to determine the need for additional rail service in the area. A survey was sent to the existing industries seeking their input regarding their current and future rail service needs.

Provided Economic Development services for the city of Searcy The Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation (SREDC) and city of Searcy continued their contract whereby the SREDC performs economic development services for the city. Reports were presented to the Searcy City Council in March, June, September and December.

Maintained Economic Development Section on website The SREDC staff maintains the Economic Development Section of searcychamber.com. The site is another valuable tool for marketing property that does not meet the AEDC's minimum criteria. The database is free to use and assistance in placing property on the site has been offered to all 16 incorporated cities in the county. This section is also an excellent resource for demographic and labor data. The SREDC staff is the White County and the City of Searcy's Community Editor, as well as Property Manager for the City of Searcy. The Site Selection Database, arkansassiteselection.com, provides a valuable tool in attracting development interest and speeding prospect response time. The tool is free to use and is the AEDC's central source for site selection, property identification and prospect referral.

Metro Little Rock Regional Alliance SREDC Board members, Steve Lightle and Donnie Miller, serve on the Metro Little Rock Alliance (MLRA) board as representatives from White County.

SEARCY ARKANSAS

A Natural Fit