Outlook: Industry and Commerce by David Mosesso

JONESBORO SUN

Nordex blows into town, bringing jobs Three separate orders placed since production start BY CURT HODGES SPECIAL TO THE SUN

JONESBORO — To say Nordex USA Inc., a wind turbine producer that opened its Jonesboro facility in October, has made progress is an understatement. Since opening, the company has announced three separate orders for wind generation equipment and is now working its way through them. Nordex announced on Oct. 24, 2008, it would began construction on its state-of-the-art Jonesboro production facility in late 2008 or early 2009. The facility was being built to manufacture utility grade electricitygenerating equipment. After construction on the Jonesboro facility was completed a grand opening was held in October 2010 to announce the completion of the plant and that a production crew had been hired and was being trained in Germany. It would not be long until announcements were made that production was under way, and last December Nordex received two orders for units for wind generation in the United States. Soon a third order came, and additional personnel were hired at that time, Nordex officials said. Nordex is now completing work on the largest installation the company has ever done – 60 turbines (150 megawatts) at Cedar Creek in Colorado, company officials said. “It has been a very exciting year for Nordex, particularly at our location in Jonesboro,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Ralf Sigrist. “We began 2010 with a hole in the ground and finished the year with a state-of-the art production facility. We have grown from just a few employees to more than 70. “Our plan is to continue to grow our production capability in line with the growth of our business in North America,” Sigrist said. “We believe that the potential for wind generation is great.” This, of course, is not

the end. As wind generation in North America and around the globe increases to meet the growing world demand for electricity, Nordex is well positioned to be a major player in that growth, Sigrist said. When the Nordex announcement was made two years ago, Sigrist pointed out that no assembly process, such as the Nordex Jonesboro operation, can progress without suppliers. He said such suppliers generally like to situate facilities close to the companies they supply. Last year steel components manufacturer Beckmann Volmer announced it would build a $10 million factory and employ as many as 500 in neighboring Osceola to supply parts to Nordex. Part of Nordex’s strategy, Sigrist said, is to make its supply chain 80 percent domestic within the next nine months. The towers that sup-

port the generation equipment and large blades are made by Siag Aerisyn of Chattanooga, Tenn., and the blades will be made by LM Wind Power of Little Rock. While the orders Nordex has under production are for the N100 turbines, the plant can also produce N90 turbines, both of which are Nordex Gamma versions. Nordex is one of the few wind turbine producers in the world with more than 25 years of experience, now operating in 18 countries and employing more than 2,400 people, Nordex officials said. There are more than 4,200 Nordex wind turbines rotating in 34 countries with a total rated output of more than 6,000 megawatts. The company’s global headquarters is in Hamburg, Germany, with U.S. headquarters in Chicago. curth@jonesborosun.com

QuickINFO |

John Flora | Special to The Sun

Mark Perrin, a drive train specialist at Nordex, tightens bolts on a 24-ton wind turbine gearbox on Oct. 29, 2010.

Nordex USA Inc.: 3100 Nordex Drive, Jonesboro, manufacturer of utility scale wind turbines U.S. headquarters: 300 South Wacker Drive, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL, 60606 Parent company: Nordex SE, publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, headquartered in Germany Global employment: More than 2,400 United States employment: 85 Jonesboro employment: 75 Local phone: 333-4100 On the Net: www.nordex -online.com President and chief executive officer: Ralf Sigrist Chief legal officer: Richard Casey Vice president of operations: Dan McDevitt VP-finance: Bill Lutz VP-human resources: Laura Mueller Nacelle production manager: Bill Pixley

Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Ronnie Suttles works on electrical components for a wind turbine nacelle at the Nordex plant in Jonesboro on Feb. 8.

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Calls just keep coming StarTek could add 200 jobs in 2011 BY ANTHONY CHILDRESS SPECIAL TO THE SUN

JONESBORO — The phones haven’t stopped ringing at Jonesboro’s StarTek Inc. contact center since it opened in 2008. But don’t expect its customer agents or management to wish for the calls to slow down. “Our current head count is roughly 425 employees,” said Lacey Williams, recruiting manager. “It’s been a busy year with some exciting things happening and more to come.” A new site director, Beth Wieler, came aboard in 2010 and brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, Williams said, adding that she’s been an asset in many respects for the facility’s current and planned growth. “Beth is from Hardy but has been in the call center outsourcing business for something like 20 years,” Williams said. “Her local ties have really made an impact on the employees — we feel like she is definitely ‘one of us.’ It is very important to have that type of environment.”

Recognition of service

The center was named a regional Site of the Year by one of its clients, though Williams said that company’s name cannot be released. The accolade was based on a

number of performance indicators and included competitors from other outsourced centers and the client’s internal centers. “This was a big win for Jonesboro,” she said. Awards and other honors mean that StarTek is looking ahead to even better days. “Because of the success we had last year and the capacity in our facility, the company is looking to potentially bring on additional lines of business to the Jonesboro center in 2011,” Williams said. “This could result in the addition of up to 200 new jobs. “Last year we also continued to strive to become a permanent fixture in the Jonesboro community and completed projects for the Food Bank of NEA, the Humane Society, the Red Cross and other local organizations,” she said. “We also held several events in which we invited the

QuickINFO | Name: StarTek Local site: 2908 South Caraway Road National headquarters: Greeley, Colo. Number of local employees: 425 Phone: 934-4300 Services: Communications customer contact center Web site: www.startek .com

community in to tour the facility.” Serving cellular telephone customers from major companies and other clients, StarTek has become a fixture at its 2908 South Caraway Road location. Williams said there is never a time when its local office becomes complacent, primarily because of competition and other factors in the customer-based communications market. One of the chief benefits tied to StarTek’s decision to locate in Northeast Arkansas has been and remains its commitment to hiring people who live in or near Jonesboro. On top of that, Williams said telecommunications services customers can have questions answered and solutions offered by Americans rather than being connected to overseas call centers. The company boasts upwards of 300 staff and maintains a goal of reaching 500. New hires undergo a full month of on-the-phone training to prepare for the often hectic pace on the call floor. StarTek has sustained its dedication to being employee-oriented, Williams said. It prefers to promote from within its own ranks. The office enables staff to get involved and stay linked to the community through civic organizations (she is active in the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce), fund-raising and additional activities.

Anthony Childress | The Sun

StarTek Customer Care Center Agent Helen Scott (foreground) assists a caller during one of her phone sessions that are part of For example, employees are promoting for people to avoid cell phone texting while driving by dispensing wrist-bands with a message to think twice before grabbing the phone while behind the wheel.

her average day. She said she never lacks something to do because the phone rarely stops ringing.

It all fits in well with the company’s focus on not only having a business presence but being a positive contributing force now and in years to come in the community. Jonesboro’s office brings the total number

of contact centers to well above 20. StarTek performs a myriad of customer-care, customer-acquisition and receivables management functions for some of the world’s largest organizations.

Nice-Pak expansion means more jobs JONESBORO — Nice-Pak Products Inc. began an expansion in 2010 that will more than quadruple its work force in Jonesboro. The plant currently employs 35 but is expected to grow to 170 by May. Construction on a new production line began in late 2010, and the testing of new equipment began in January 2011. The plant produces hard-surface household disinfecting wipes, but the expansion is enabling the production of a new line of baby wipes.

3-phase hiring

Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Jonathan Andrews, chemical compounder at the Jonesboro Nice-Pak Products Inc. plant, palletizes packages of wet wipes at the end of the assembly line on Friday.

Additional workers are being hired in three phases, one in January and the other two in March and May. The workers will staff three full shifts on the new line, officials have said. The new line will be

Nice-Pak’s largest production line. The brandnew, state-of-the-art automated equipment will process at least 500 baby wipe packages a minute. The line can also produce similar products such as facial wipes. The wipes will be sold under a variety of brand names such as Parent’s Choice and Equate. Officials said future expansions should result in a total of about 300 employees. The com-

QuickINFO | Name: Nice-Pak Local site: 1 Nice-Pak Road Employees: 35, but is expected to be 170 by May Products: Parent’s Choice and Equate baby wipes Phone: 935-6423 Web site: www.nicepak .com

pany occupies less than half of the Jonesboro facility, which consists of a 640,000-square-foot building on 103 acres. Lichucki said close to 75 percent of the plant will be occupied once the expansion is complete. Brad Zenko, senior director of operations at the Jonesboro plant, said the company has a commitment to minimizing impacts on the environment. “Work is under way to create and develop a zero-landfill program for this facility,” Zenko said in November. The company’s 50-year history has been in supplying large retail customers with products that are sold under their private brands. Nice-Pak also manufactures several brands of its own and began with the first pre-moistened wipes for the restaurant indus-

try under the Wet Nap brand. Nice-Pak is a privately owned company based in Orangeburg, N.Y. It has facilities in the United States, Canada, United

‘Work is under way to create and develop a zerolandfill program for this facility.’ Brad Zenko senior director of operations at the Jonesboro Nice-Pak facility

Kingdom, Germany and plans to expand in the Asia-Pacific region. Nice-Pak is at 1 NicePak Road, in the former Haworth office furniture facility at U.S. 63 and Commerce Drive.

Thomas & Betts Inc. adds to facility staff in Jonesboro in ’10 BY WAYLON HARRIS SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Even in a tough economy, Thomas & Betts Inc. managed to increase its staff in 2010. John Shatzer, human resource manager, said the Jonesboro plant — which produces a wide variety of electrical fittings, rigid PVC-coated pipe and PVC-coated fittings and elbows — added 30 em-

QuickINFO | Name: Thomas & Betts Corp. Location: 5601 East Highland Drive Services: Manufacturer of electrical fittings and steel conduit pipe Plant manager: Dan Seidel Web site: www.tnb.com

ployees for a total of 360. In 2010 the plant installed new cutting equipment for its Carlon product line that reduces the amount of raw material needed to produce equipment for customers, Shatzer said. The new line also “increases [the company’s] flexibility to service the customers when demand spikes,” Shatzer said. The Home Depot and Lowes are the top two customers for these products, Shatzer said. Thomas & Betts also opened up 35,000 square feet of floor space for the company to add potential product lines. Shatzer said employees are also working in improved environments after new chemical treatment and ventilation equipment was installed in one area of the facility.

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Waylon Harris | The Sun

LaShonda Robinson, an assembler at Thomas & Betts, works on electrical products at the Jonesboro plant March 4. The company also added an automated production line that increases production efficiencies and quality, he said. Shatzer said the company embraced a zero accident culture, which puts a focus on educating employees on hazard recognition and awareness. The result of that program? In 2010 the

company yielded its best safety record ever, and 2011 is off to a great start, Shatzer said. He said the company plans to add a new galvanizer for its pipe manufacturing line, and new equipment such as a gland production cell and new CNC machining centers are also planned for the facility

in coming months. Last year Thomas & Betts recognized 55 associates for their service with the company since the plant opened in 1995. Thomas & Betts also received several awards last year, including the Environmental Achievement Award from City Water and Light — which the company has re-

ceived for four straight years — and The Home Depot Partner of the Year Award for outstanding customer service. Shatzer said 14 Thomas & Betts associates advanced to positions of greater responsibility within the company last year. wharris@jonesborosun.com

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Nestlé brings in new plant manager

JONESBORO — Nestlé Prepared Foods Company welcomed its new plant manager to the Jonesboro facility in 2010. Plant Manager Dan Braswell joined the staff at the Jonesboro plant in August, replacing former plant manager Andrew Darley. Braswell joined the Nestlé staff in 2004, when he was named plant manager at the company’s Dreyer’s Ice Cream facility in Houston. Following that assignment, Braswell said he worked in national roles “supporting continuous improvement initiatives across all of Nestlé” in the United States. Braswell said he and his wife, Debbie, and son, Carter, relocated to Jonesboro from Houston and “look forward to being part of the community.” Braswell said there were few changes for the company in 2010. The maker of Stouffer’s frozen dinners, Lean Cuisine meals and

QuickINFO | Name: Nestlé Prepared Foods Company Location: 1 Nestlé Way, Jonesboro Products: Makes Lean Cuisine frozen meals, Stouffer’s frozen entrees and frozen paninis for Lean Cuisine and Stouffer’s. Plant manager: Dan Braswell On the Net: www.nestle usa.com other family entrees still employs about 700 at its Jonesboro plant, unchanged from the beginning of 2010, he said. And while no new products or expansions are planned for this year, Braswell said company leaders continue to “evaluate future expansion options” for the Jonesboro facility. In 2009 the plant added a new line to make Stouffer

Millard keeps it cool

JONESBORO — Millard Refrigerated Services in Jonesboro is unique in that it depends on another local business. Millard Refrigerated Services came to Jonesboro in 2003 to provide refrigeration services to Nestlé Prepared Foods Company at 1 Nestlé Way. Millard’s 174,000square-foot facility in Jonesboro is solely dedicated to storing the Nestlé plant’s products. Eric Walden, general manager, said the company employs 48 at its Jonesboro plant. The company did not expand its Jonesboro plant in 2010, and Walden said no expansions or additional services are expected this year. The company offers 5.2 million cubic feet of convertible freezer and cooler space and uses a 2-stage ammonia refrigeration system at its Jonesboro plant. Millard Refrigerated Services operates at 36 locations in 18 states and Canada.

QuickINFO | John Flora | Special to The Sun

Dan Braswell, plant manager at Nestlé Prepared Food Company’s Jonesboro facility, shows off some of the company’s products. and Lean Cuisine brand paninis, and that addition to the plant illustrates the

company’s commitment to Northeast Arkansas and its workforce, he said.

Name: Millard Refrigerated Services Location: 2407 Great Dane Drive, Jonesboro Services: Provides freezing and cooling services for Nestlé Prepared Foods Company’s Jonesboro facility. General manager: Eric Walden On the Net: www.millardref.com

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Group attracts industry to NEA 140 jobs could be coming to Hoxie by summer 2012, official explains BY FRANK M. WITOWSKI JR. SPECIAL TO THE SUN

WALNUT RIDGE — Intermodal Authority Treasurer Milton Smith said he hopes more than 140 jobs can be created in Lawrence County in the next 16 months. Smith said two prospective industries are looking to situate between old and new U.S. 63 in Hoxie. He said Crafton Toll and Sparks is performing a lot of engineering work to make this site ready for industry. “I am very optimistic,” Smith said. “We still have a few hurdles to jump, but every time we’ve come across one, we’ve found a way to get through it. Thus far everything is looking very positive.”

Would spur more jobs

If things go as planned the new industries should break ground this summer and be in operation about a year from then, Smith said. The two corporations combined

would bring 140 jobs to the area and spur more jobs in other industries to support them, he said. The Intermodal Authority, started in January 2009, consists of Lawrence, Randolph and Clay Counties along

‘Everyone on the authority has worked very well together and realize jobs in one community are good for every community.’ Milton Smith treasurer, Intermodal Authority with the cities of Walnut Ridge, Hoxie, Pocahontas and Corning. Smith said the Intermodal Authority was created to develop sites and bring new industry to the region. The Intermodal Authority consists of 21

Frank Witowski Jr. | Special to The Sun

From left, Lawrence County Dale Freeman, Hoxie Mayor Larry Tinker, Intermodal Authority Executive Director Wayne Gearhart and Walnut Ridge Mayor Don House disboard members, three from each city or county in the authority. “Everyone on the authority has worked very well together and realize jobs in one community are good for every community,” Smith said. He said he hopes that within 10 years the Hox-

Poinsett industry growing

ary. Matt Woolard from Corning became the new Intermodal Authority chairman. The Intermodal Authority meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Smith said nine months of the year, the authority meets at Black River Technical College.

It meets once a year in Corning, Walnut Ridge and Hoxie. Smith said the authority will host the Arkansas Economic Development Commission meeting. For more information, contact the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce at 8923956.

Some Greene companies add jobs BY GEORGE JARED SUN STAFF WRITER

BY MICHAEL WILKEY SUN STAFF WRITER

MARKED TREE — The year 2010 was a great year for industry in Poinsett County, as officials thought outside the box to attract industry. Marked Tree officials announced in July that a California-based company, LA’s Totally Awesome Products, bought a vacant building with plans to create 120 jobs. The company makes laundry detergent, ammonia, and bathroom, grill and oven cleaners. The company also has a distribution center in West Memphis and sells the products to at least a dozen retail chains including Dollar General and Family Dollar. The Marked Tree City Council voted in July to commit up to $200,000 in economic development money for the project. Nearly $100,000 in land was donated for the project, and federal, state and local officials worked to secure funding for a $1.4 million railroad spur leading into the facility. Marked Tree Mayor Wayne Nichols said city officials are working on selecting an engineer for the railroad spur project. In late September company officials formally announced the plan to make bleach at the Marked Tree

ie site will be more than half full and other sites in the Intermodal Authority entities will be being developed. S m i t h s a i d Wa y n e Gearhardt, the previous Intermodal Authority chairman, was hired as director for the Intermodal Authority in Janu-

cuss plans for a new industrial site in Lawrence County. They are standing on the proposed site located by the bypass and Exxon Station in Hoxie.

Michael Wilkey | The Sun

At least 120 people are expected to work in the LA’s Awesome Products plant in Marked Tree by the end of this year. Last July the cleaning supply company, based in California, announced it had bought the vacant Mid-South Manufacturing building in Marked Tree. facility. The company also plans to do about $4 million in renovations to the building in the Marked Tree Industrial Park.

Box shop A Trumann company that pieces together corrugated cardboard to make boxes added 20 jobs in December. Company owner Greg Clark said in January that the boxes are sold to brokers, other plants and directly to companies. Employees there can make about $8 an hour to start, with skilled employees making $11 to $12 an hour. The company, with a facility on Arkansas 463, received help last year from the Trumann Industrial Development Commission with the purchase of production equipment.

Harrisburg Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce Director of Operations Tina Price said there were attempts in 2010 to attract industry to the Poinsett County town, but to no avail. The major industry in Harrisburg is Rusken Packaging, which has about 30 employees, Price said. The cardboard manufacturing company moved into the former American Greetings plant on Arkansas 1. Price said there is room for another industry in the facility. She also hopes a survey being completed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission will help. The survey will show city officials a list of possible sites for future industry. mwilkey@jonesborosun.com

PARAGOULD — American Railcar Industries announced it was set to partner with a new company to build high-speed railcars in February 2010. The cars were supposed to be built at ARI’s Marmaduke and Paragould plants. So far none of the cars has been built, and a downward economy has kept the company from growing as much as it would have liked over the last year, spokesman Dean Inman said. “We don’t anticipate building them anytime soon,” Inman said about the railcars, although he does expect production of the railcars in the future. ARI majority owner Carl Icahn was set to form a new company with U.S. Railcar of Columbus, Ohio. ARI has the expertise to build the cars, while U.S. Railcar has more experience with the federal funding that would be used to buy them, officials said. A specific reason for the high-speed railcars not being built wasn’t given, but Inman did say orders for products produced by ARI have been low due to a bad economy. However, at the start of 2011 orders increased, and there are signs the economy is improving, he said.

ARI employs about 700 people, making it one of the largest employers in Clay and Greene counties. Despite the economic downturn, several Greene County and Clay County industries have grown, said Sue McGowan, Paragould Chamber of Commerce executive director. Anchor Packaging Inc. has increased its business and hired additional workers, McGowan said. Employee numbers at Anchor were not released. The company has a plant in Marmaduke and another in Paragould. Anchor produces packaging for the food service and supermarket industry. Another local industry, Allen Engineering, acquired a new product line in 2010, McGowan said. Allen will build Miller Power Buggies, she said. The buggies, used in concrete finishing according to a press release from the company, will be built at the company’s Paragould plant. “This acquisition of the Miller Buggy line is an excellent opportunity for AEC to apply our design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities to an already outstanding line of material handling equipment,” AEC President Jay Allen said in a press release. gjared@jonesborosun.com

Graycen Colbert | The Sun

An American Railcar Industries employee welds the shell of a tank car in Marmaduke in this undated photo.

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Snacks, steel and ’shine bring jobs to Jackson BY JUDY BEARD SPECIAL TO THE SUN

NEWPORT — While many industries around the country faced economic problems in 2010, those in Newport seemed to be spared the hardships. With more than 1,250 industrial jobs on the line, none of the companies faced layoffs. In fact, Norandal increased its work force. Medallion Foods, Newport’s largest industrial employer, saw increased sales of its corn-based snack products marketed under several names including Medallion and Best Choice. Medallion employs 300 people and runs three shifts. The company on Airbase Road is owned by Ralcorp Holdings, owners of Ralston products. Newport’s second-largest employer is Arkansas Steel Associates Inc. The company, which employs 270 people, runs three shifts and produces specialty tie plates and products for the railroad industry. Founded in 1989, the company has seen steady growth. They are a subsidiary of the

Sumitomo Corporation in America. “Arkansas Steel is a major player in our community,” said Newport Mayor David Stewart. “Like other industries in the area, they are dedicated to their employees, and their employees are equally devoted to them.” Newport’s newest industry may not have many employees yet, but it has drawn national attention. Uncle Ed’s Arkansas Moonshine started producing in mid-2010 and can now be found on liquor store shelves. The crystal-clear alcoholic beverage is produced at the distillery on Hazel Street in Newport. While the first shipment of 120 cases were the original moonshine, the company is also producing Apple Pie Moonshine. Uncle Ed’s is the first legal moonshine producer in Arkansas, and owner Larry Bishop is excited to be located in Newport. “I feel truly honored to be the first person in the state of Arkansas to be able to make legal moonshine,” Bishop said. “It’s something that I never

thought I would be able to do during my lifetime.” Bishop said he’s pleased to make Newport a part of history and grateful to those who helped him to bring the distillery to the town. “I wish to say thanks to all the people that have made it easier for us to come here and start this distillery,” Bishop said. “Newport Mayor David Stewart, Jesse Simmons, Tim Williford and Newport Economic Development Commission Director Jon Chadwell have all been great to us. Everybody I have met here has been extremely courteous, and they have done anything they could to help us out. We have been very fortunate to come to a place that has went out of their way to welcome us here.” Uncle Ed’s Moonshine is an 80-proof old-fashioned corn whiskey. “Our recipes have been passed down for many, many generations,” he said, adding that patience and a strict adherence to details are required to properly produce the hillbilly hooch. “The hardest thing

Judy Beard | Special to the Sun

Old Ed Ward’s Distillery on Beech Street in Newport is the first business to legally produce moonshine in Arkansas. about making moonshine is that it is time-consuming,” Bishop said. “There is an art to it, and everything has to be done just right.” It takes about a week for the mixture to ferment, and then it must be cooked for around five hours. Sugar, corn and yeast are the main ingredients used in the process. The distillery employs only four full-time employees, but Bishop is optimistic the number will grow as sales increase. Norandal Corp. has increased the number of

employees to 96 and is back to running two shifts. The company, which produces aluminum foil, experienced layoffs several years ago but is now on the rebound. Noranda, the company that owns Norandal, saw a $71.9 million profit, more than triple prior-year results. What’s This!!! Spice Company has seen steady growth since opening three years ago. Owner Jessie Simmons produces a variety of dry seasoning rubs, hot sauce and cinnamon sweets. Located in two buildings on Lindley Lane in Newport, the busi-

ness has customers in all 50 states and has allowed Simmons to turn a hobby into a job. The company employs 15 workers. O t h e r m a n u f a c t u rers playing a key role in the economy of Jackson County are Delta Trailer, Taylor Made Ambulance, Warren Metal Fabrication, Bowman Manufacturing and Bottomland Naturals. “We are fortunate to have outstanding industrial residents,” Chadwell said. “They all play intricate part in the community and make this county stronger.”

Pinnacle’s achievement means good news for Randolph BY GEORGE JARED SUN STAFF WRITER

POCAHONTAS — One company and the efforts of a newly formed organization spearheaded industrial growth in Randolph County in 2010, and those two entities will likely be responsible for further growth this year. Pinnacle Frame and Accents added about 30 new employees in 2010 and is set to hire another 25-30 over the next several months, according to company officials. Once the latest round of hiring is complete, Pinnacle will have over 300 employees, making it the largest employer in Randolph County. “What they’re doing out there is just phenomenal,” Randolph County Chamber Executive Director Tim Scott said. Pinnacle hired an additional 30 workers after receiving $300,000 in federal and city grant money to repair an aged roof and parking lot. The roof had not been replaced since the company opened in 1968. Pinnacle produces a

George Jared | The Sun

Pinnacle Frame and Accents Inc. has expanded its operations twice in the last 18 months. wide variety of picture frames and other products at its Pocahontas plant. This year the company will receive grants for another construction project at its facility.

A tough economy has hindered employment efforts by another Pocahontas industrial employer, Atlantic Thermal Plastics LLC, Scott said. When the boot and shoe

Company official: Growth steady at Aviation Repair Technologies BY NAN SNIDER SPECIAL TO THE SUN

BLYTHEVILLE — Aviation R e p a i r Te c h n o l o g i e s (ART) established operations at the Mississippi County Arkansas Aeroplex in Blytheville in the spring of 2008 and has experienced extensive expansion and growth in each of the past three years. The company’s choice to locate in Blytheville originally was aided by its receipt of a government incentive award, whereby local and state government agencies provided $3.7 million in assistance in exchange for the company’s promise to create 310-440 new jobs by 2011. ART works in partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College and provides student training through the Strategic Advantage Program. ART offers courses in structural component and composites and developed a course in graphite training. “We will have our first ANC graduating class in May of this year,” General Manager Rick Uber said. “We have 18 twoyear students completing training now. We are right in line to meet our

3-year goal of employing over 300 people this year. Our only time limits to growth have been in having qualified mechanics,

‘Our desire is to hire people who already love living here, as they will be the ones we can depend on to stay with us.’ Rick Uber general manager, Aviation Repair Technologies technicians and licensed management personnel. With the new ANC graduates we hope to fill many of these positions. “Our public relations department provides an online contact form Web site, www.ARTmainten ance.com, or by sending an e-mail to careers@ ARTmaintenance.com,” Uber said. “This has been very productive tool for skilled employment. This allows us to focus on local talent. Our desire is to hire people who already love living here, as they will be the ones we can depend on

to stay with us. The turnover in this business is great, and hiring locally just makes good sense. I want to look out in the parking lot and see a lot of employee cars parked there.” ART is an aircraft maintenance company that offers a variety of services for narrow-body commercial airlines such as American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, FedEx and Air France. The company also services turboprops and regional jets. ART is a subsidiary of the worldwide company Aero Maintenance Group, which has its own turbine power plant. The company is prepared to service windmill turbines, too. “Training is still the key to this type of work, and we can’t emphasize that enough,” Uber said. “Many of the jobs are high tech and take specialized training.” Skilled professionals are trained to attend to every aspect of heavy aircraft maintenance, from C-checks, cargo conversions, modifications and all types of engineering services. ART also provides short-term storage and aircraft engine disassembly via its sister com-

sole producer moved to Randolph County in 2008 it had a goal to employ more than 200, according to reports. But it now has 25-30 employees, Scott said, adding, “The econ-

omy has really affected them.” A s i s t e r c o m p a n y, Heartland LLC., is now sharing the building with ATP, officials said. It’s unknown how many peo-

ple the sister company employs, Scott said. Bringing an industrial job producer to the region that includes Pocahontas and Randolph County is the primary goal of the Northeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facilities Authority, which formed in 2009. A railroad tie company wants to locate a plant in Walnut Ridge, and it would impact Randolph County’s economy in a positive way, Scott said. More jobs would be available, and it might encourage other businesses and industries to move into the region. Former Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wayne Gearhart is the executive director of NARIFA. Officials should know within the next month or so if agreements with BNSF and Union Pacific can be reached. Those agreements are critical to attract the rail tie company and other industrial prospects to the area, Scott said. gjared@jonesborosun.com

QuickINFO | Name: Aviation Repair Technologies (ART) Physical Address: 2515 Atlanta St., Blytheville, AR 72315 Product: Aircraft maintenance, training, repair and storage Chief executive officer: Ben Quevedo pany Turbine Support International in the same Aeroplex facility. In 2010 ART added two buildings at the Aeroplex to expand

Vice president, general manager: Rick Uber Employees: Nearing 300 (2011) Web site: http://www.artmaintenance .com E-mail: careers@artmaintenance.com

its maintenance and storage facility. The nearest large-aircraft maintenance company is in Hot Springs,

and there has been a growing need for services in a close proximity of major airports and hubs, Uber said.

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Colson still innovating, adds new product lines

Curt Hodges | The Sun

Mike Black (left), Frito-Lay Jonesboro project manager, helps another employee raise a flag denoting the plant’s success in

achieving LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council on March 1.

Frito Lay’s efforts recognized

JONESBORO — Frito-Lay of Jonesboro completed another year marked with several honors for its achievements. Among the highlights for the local plant was being recognized within Frito-Lay for human resources excellence and for its record-setting results among measurable company goals. Frito-Lay also received two distinguished awards that highlight the local plant’s focus on the safety of its employees and sustainability of local resources. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration presented the Jonesboro facility with “STAR” status in its voluntary protection program, a self-managed safety regulatory compliance program. To receive STAR status, facilities must have comprehensive safety and health programs that go beyond minimal government regulations. Key elements of the VPP evaluation include m a n a g e m e n t l e a d e rship, employee involvement, work-site analysis, hazard recognition and control, and safety and health training. Frito-Lay Jonesboro also received the Leader-

ship in Energy and Environment Design existing building gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, according to a Frito-Lay news release. The Frito-Lay Jonesboro facility is Arkansas’ first food manufacturing site to achieve LEED gold certification for an existing building. Officials said the Jonesboro plant has reduced its natural gas usage by 68 percent, electricity use by 58 percent and water by 75 percent since the mandate to reuse and recycle was made in 1999. The company takes nothing to the landfill for disposal. Community involvement included the following: strong Diversity and Inclusion teams engaged in community activities;

QuickINFO | Name: Frito-Lay Jonesboro Address: 2810 Quality Way Phone: 910-3400 On the Net: www.fritolay.com

Relay for Life; Special Olympics; Project Loved; Pepsi Feeds America; Earth Day; Habitat for Humanity; CityYouth Ministries; Hispanic Community Services; and United Way Day of Caring — No. 1 Major Firms contributor to the United Way of Northeast Arkansas. With PepsiCo Foundation matching gifts, they contributed more than $126 million to the 2010 United Way campaign. Employees who earned special recognition include: Boyce Sherrill, 25 years of service; Kedrin Edgerson, 20 years of service; and Charlie Winstead, OTR Driver-PepsiCo Circle of Champions. Frito-Lay North America was established in 1961; Frito-Lay Jonesboro opened in 1998. Frito-Lay makes, sells and distributes numerous popular snacks including Lay’s potato chips, Fritos corn chips, Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, Doritos flavored tortilla chips, Tostitos tortilla chips and Sunchips multigrain snacks. There are more than 48,000 Frito-Lay associates across the country; about 530 employees are based in Jonesboro. —Karin Hill

JONESBORO — Colson Caster, 3700 Airport Road, is in its 58th year of operation in Jonesboro. Colson manufactures wheel products used for material handling in all of the world’s markets, and the Jonesboro plant has 84 employees. The company is under the direction of Don Laux, president and general manager. Colson has two new products lines: Trans-forma Wheels and L & G Series Casters. Trans-forma wheels are available in Trans-forma LT, up to 500 pounds each; Trans-forma, up to 600 pounds each; and Transforma LT, up to 900 pounds each. All three wheels have multiple applications and are made in America. Colson L & G Series casters serve the lighter-duty and general-duty caster markets. L Series casters are available in top plate swivel and rigid, threaded stem and grip ring stem mountings. Colson G Series casters are available in Top Plate Swivel and Rigid. In January Colson celebrated two years with no lost time because of an onthe-job injury. This is quite an achievement for any company but even more so for a busy engineering and manufacturing company of Colson’s size, company officials said. Colson has not logged any lost time because of injuries since 2008. With a company that’s more than 125 years old, many employees have put in a significant number of years

QuickINFO | Name: Colson Caster Address: 3700 Airport Road Phone: 932-4501 On the Net: www.colsoncaster.com

with Colson. Bobby Blake, stock clerk, and Houston Prince, electro-mechanical technician, both retired last year with 40 years of service; Rita Lloyd, assembly technician, retired after 39 years; and Charles Barker, also an assembly technician, retired after 30 years. Employees who have served the company for at least 25 years, their titles and number of years served include: Louis Welch, tooling technician; Clinon Willingham, electromechanical technician; and Wayne Coots, shipping and receiving group leader, all 40-plus years; Wendell Harrell, assembly technician, 39 years; Neal Mullins, welding technician, 36 years; William Harrison, material handler, 34 years; Jimmy Jackson, punch press coordinator, 33 years; Karen Davis, assembly technician; Lionel Roberts, packer; Billy Versie, assembly technician; and Johnny Martin, electromechanical technician, all 32 years; and Jimmy Barber, shipping and receiving group leader, 26 years.

New seed products available at RiceTec

HARRISBURG — RiceTec Inc. added three new hybrid seed products and a new technology group to its industry in 2010. “We have added three new hybrid seed products — XP753, XP754 and CLEARFIELD XP756 — that will diversify risk for growers and offer extended harvest windows,” said Brian Ottis, marketing and client support manager. RiceTec also created

‘... three new hybrid seed products ... will diversify risk for growers and offer extended harvest windows.’ Brian Ottis marketing and client support manager, RiceTec Inc. the Rice Technology Solutions group within RiceTec. It is intended to better serve the global seed business with product development, grain quality and pro-

duction research. RiceTec’s primary business is to provide hybrid rice seed to rice producers across the Gulf Coast and Midsouth states, Ottis added.

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Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Karen Davis assembles a caster at the Colson Caster Corp. factory in Jonesboro on Feb. 16, 2010.

More jobs, lines added at Hytrol JONESBORO — Hytrol Conveyor Co., manufacturer of conveyors and conveying systems, has added new products and employees over the last year, Manager of Marketing Phillip Poston said. New products added or improved include the Swing Arm Diverter and Swing Arm Plow, E24 line of accessories, ABLR and Mid-Range Sorter. Hytrol also continues the implementation of its company-wide Enterprise Resource Planning system. In conjunction, an innovative solid modeling solution for ordering and engineering conveyors has been implemented. Projects are constantly being developed through enhanced designs and manufacturing process analyses focused on controlling the financial impact to the business, Poston said. Hytrol also added 37 full-time employees bringing the total current employment to 544. This includes 14 employees with 25 years of service, five with 30 years of service, 12 with 35 years of service and two employees with 40 years of service. During 2011, Hytrol will continue its adoption of lean production in the office area and expand training opportunities with new technologies. An online video presence, www.hytroltv.com, has been launched, and new videos will be continually uploaded each month. Customers will continue to receive consistent support and sales through the Integration Partner Network, Poston said. Hytrol was founded by Tom Loberg in 1947 in Wisconsin and moved to Jonesboro in 1962. As the conveyor industry continues to consolidate, Hytrol has maintained the same name, ownership and focus, emphasizing the importance of being active locally for its employees and

QuickINFO | Name: Hytrol Conveyor Co. Inc. Address: 2020 Hytrol St. Phone: (870) 935-3700 On the Net: www.hytrol.com E-mail: info@hytrol.com

community. The company is privately held by The Loberg Trust. Principal officers are Gregg Goodner, president; Bob West, vice president of business operations; Don Wilson, vice president of manufacturing operations; Chuck Waddle, vice president of business development; and Sherry Stringer, chief financial officer.

Graycen Colbert | The Sun

Hytrol Controls Engineer Cliff Mullis works on the assembly line Monday at the Jonesboro plant.

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Farmers likely to plant more cotton, soybeans Rice acres in Northeast Arkansas probably will decrease BY CURT HODGES SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Northeast Arkansas farmers will probably grow more cotton, soybeans and corn, and possibly more milo in 2011, but they’ll likely plant less rice, Cooperative Extension Service agents believe. But as oil prices continue to rise, so does the cost of doing business on the farm, which includes fertilizer and chemical prices. “That could change things even more,” said Clay County Agent-Staff Chairman Andy Vangilder of Piggott. Fuel prices may be one of the factors that takes even more rice acreage out of the mix for 2011, said Randy Chlapecka of Jackson County. Rice, he said, requires more irrigation, and most pumps are driven by diesel engines. “Everyone has to put a pencil to it to get a handle on prices and see what they can grow and make a profit,” Chlapecka said. “The high prices we are seeing of cotton, soybeans, corn and other commodities is kind of misleading,” said Staff Chairman Branon Thiesse of Craighead County. When those prices go up, so does everything else, he noted, and all of that trims back the margin for profit. Thiesse said it really is important, maybe moreso this year, for growers to closely check their costs of production. Urea, for example, the nitrogen fertilizer that most growers use, is expected to continue to rise, as oil prices climb, the

Curt Hodges | The Sun

Craighead County Extension Service Agent Branon Thiesse examines a grain of corn in a field near Lunsford on July 28. county agents said. That’s just another factor that must be considered when figuring costs and profits. As far as acres of specific crops that are expected to be grown this year, Vangilder said he expects to see more cotton in Clay County, more corn and soybeans and fewer acres of rice — “Unless something drastic happens.” For Northeast Arkansas farmers, 2011 will be a unique year, the county agents said. The National Cotton Council forecast for 2011 indicates producers intend to plant 12.5 million acres of cotton this spring, 14 percent more than in 2010. The Cotton Council also noted that never in the history of American agriculture has the price of cotton been as high as $2 a pound. That figure was recently eclipsed, and some in the industry believe it will go higher. However, cotton is not the only crop with high prices competing for acres this spring. Corn,

soybeans and wheat are all up, and rice is expected to follow but not with the volatility of the other commodities, agricultural experts say. The February USDA supply and demand report surprised analysts by tightening the 2010-11 corn supply, leaving the year ending stock-to-use ratio at the lowest level in 15 years. The response of the markets was nearly instant. The USDA planting acreage estimate for the 2011 corn crop forecast that 92 million acres will be devoted to corn this spring, an increase of 4.3 percent from 2010. Soybean acres were forecast 0.7 percent higher, the USDA report said, and wheat acres 6.3 percent higher than in 2010. The government agency predicted any land capable of being farmed this year will be because of high commodity prices.

Cotton increase Where is cotton going in Arkansas for 2011, and where has it been? University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Economist Scott Stiles of Jonesboro said he believes cotton acreage in the state is on the rise. After hitting a decadehigh 1.17 million acres in 2006, Arkansas cotton acreage declined for three straight years. Following a bearish outlook

Graycen Colbert | The Sun

Area farmer Kevin Felts harvests cotton at Williamson Farms near Cardwell, Mo., in early October. for grains and signs of life in the cotton market last spring, 2010 cotton acreage increased a modest 25,000 acres to a total of 545,000. “In doing economic comparisons among crops, some producers may even be considering cotton as part of their crop mix for the first time,” Stiles told Extension communications specialists recently. “As longtime cotton growers will tell you, cotton is a relatively complex crop to grow that requires some unique skills and agronomic knowledge.” Tom Barber, extension cotton agronomist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, agreed with Stiles’ statement, especially in light of changes in available cotton varieties. “Variety selection has

changed a great deal in the last few years, and anyone who plans to grow cotton had better do their homework before spending $120 an acre to plant,” he said. “It better be a good one! “Glyphosate-resistant pigweed management issues could be devastating for young or new cotton producers who are not used to or equipped to handle the management of this problem weed in cotton,” Barber said. “They will need a good consultant and communication link with agents and specialists.”

Planting already In the meantime, some planting has already started in the state. “A little corn has been planted in southeast Arkansas, down in Chicot

County,” said Jason Kelley, Extension small grain specialist on March 7. “Nothing is up yet.”

‘Anyone who plans to grow cotton had better do their homework.’ Tom Barber cotton agronomist, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture

“A lot of our wheat looks really good,” Kelley said. With the recent warm temperatures wheat really took off, he said. Some growers already have finished their second nitrogen application, and others were rushing to get the second application out ahead of the rain.

Photos by Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Left: David Watkins adjusts the settings on a drill before planting an 80-acre field of soybeans in Lawrence County on June 4. Right: Joe Christian uses a high-speed cultivator to get soybean seeds out of potential wet areas and create irrigation channels in a field west of Cash on May 28.

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Post producing palatable products

JONESBORO — Ralcorp’s Post cereal plant has made brand-name food products such as Honey Bunches of Oats, Spoon Sized Shredded Wheat and Honey Nut Shredded Wheat in Jonesboro since 1992. The plant continues to manufacture these products and promote the Jonesboro community through its advertising and Internet presence. On the company’s Web page, Jonesboro is referenced as Arkansas’ “most dynamically developing center that continues to benefit from the strong growth in

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QuickINFO | Name: Ralcorp’s Post Location: 5800 C.W. Post Road, Jonesboro Employees: 200 Web site: www.ralcorpjobs.com/ POST/?location=Jonesboro Products: Honey Bunches of Oats, Spoon Sized Shredded Wheat and Honey Nut Shredded Wheat the areas of industry, retail and medicine. As a hub of agricultural production, Jonesboro has delta cotton land to the east and rice and soybean fields to the southwest.” In 1992 the Jonesboro facility began as a start-up factory. Since then it has become one of the premier employers in Northeast Arkansas. The facility has 350,000 square feet of space and employs more than 200 people, according to the Web site. The factory at 5800 C.W. Post Road in Jonesboro operates 24 hours a day. “We work together to ensure that we continue to be the premier employer in Jonesboro and the surrounding communities within

Northeast Arkansas,” the company’s Web site says. Post Cereals was founded in 1895 by C.W. Post, and the first product it marketed was Postum, a breakfast drink that contained shredded wheat. The company bought Jell-O in 1925, Baker’s Chocolate in 1927

‘We work together to ensure that we continue to be the premier employer in Jonesboro and the surrounding communities within Northeast Arkansas.’ from the Ralcorp Post Web site and Maxwell House coffee in 1928. The company changed its name to General Foods in 1929. It was sold to Phillip Morris in 1985. Nabisco became part of the company in 1993. Ralcorp merged with the Post division in 2008. —Ray Whiteside

Graycen Colbert | The Sun

Bank of America teller Brooke Belk completes a customer’s deposit Tuesday at the Highland Drive branch location in Jonesboro.

BofA provides many services in Jonesboro BY ANTHONY CHILDRESS SPECIAL TO THE SUN

JONESBORO — Bank of America is an example of a financial institution whose presence stands out in a market saturated with businesses focusing on everything from checking account services to mortgage loans, bank officials said. There are three Jonesboro locations — 630 Southwest Drive, 2500 East Highland Drive and an automated teller machine in the Arkansas State University Student Union. The Southwest and Highland branches also feature ATMs and lobby and drive-through services. The bank offers home equity loans, online banking, credit cards and refinancing options.

proximately 4 million small business owners. Its client base extends into more than 40 countries. Listed below are hours of operation at Jonesboro locations: • Southwest Drive — Lobby hours, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday; drive-through, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.noon, Saturday. • Highland Drive — Lobby hours, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday; drive-through, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday. • ATMs at both sites are open 24 hours a day, while the ASU location operates with varying hours.

Company profile

QuickINFO |

Bank of America serves roughly 57 million consumer and small business “relationships” encompassing more than 5,800 retail banking sites and another 18,000 ATMs. The company features online banking services used by some 29 million active customers, according to its Web site. In addition, the bank provides products and services benefiting ap-

Name: Bank of America Founded: July 5, 1784, as Massachusetts Bank in Boston Headquarters: Charlotte, N.C. Chief executive officer: Brian Moynihan Local presence: Branches in Jonesboro, including ATM on ASU campus Notable: Extended $685 billion in credit in 2010 Web site: www.bankof america.com

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Architectural Concepts has 50% increase in business

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JONESBORO — Architectural Concepts, 6009 Dalton Farmer Drive in Jonesboro, has introduced a new concept in “portable, ready-to-ship privacy partitions” that can be used for businesses seeking to create a unique, private atmosphere for employees and customers. Company officials said the partitions are multifunctional, easily installed and can be adapted for a number of uses, but primarily they provide separation and privacy in an office setting. The idea for the partitions came about when a customer presented ACI with a challenging project. The results were the adaptable partitions, officials said. During the past year ACI had several millwork assignments, but a few of the larger ones included the Don Reynolds Library at ASU Mountain Home,

Ritter Communications Building in Marked Tree and the Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle at Columbus, Miss. Officials said the company has during the past year narrowed its focus to include the areas of expertise they execute well. That includes casework and custom mill. The change of focus has resulted in a 50 percent increase in business. At this time, company officials say Architectural Concepts has attained a level of service that has resulted in their outgrowing the current shop space. Because of that an expansion of production space is planned soon as well as the purchase of automated equipment to further streamline production. Also during the year, ACT employee Ralph Benzing, as estimator, was recognized for his 10 years of service.

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Improvements made to roads throughout NEA Engineer: ‘We’re pretty busy right now’ BY WAYLON HARRIS SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — Motorists in Northeast Arkansas should get around easier thanks to improvements to the region’s highways in 2010. Several projects were completed in 2010. Among them are two projects in Paragould. Walter McMillan, District 10 engineer for the state Highway and Transportation Department, said widening of U.S. 49 from Court Street to Arkansas 135 in Paragould was completed in June

2010. McMillan said the department also finished a major stretch of U.S. 412 from east Paragould to the Missouri state line. That project, which McMillan said road crews have been working on for the “last couple of years,” now provides motorists four lanes with a turning lane from Arkansas 141 near Walcott to the St. Francis River. “Those projects will provide motorists with more 4-lane highways to get from one place to another,” McMillan said. “It should make

Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Motorists traverse Arkansas 226 adjacent to a construction zone to add an additional two lanes of roadway east of Cash on Feb. 18. things easier and quicker for them.” McMillan said road crews have also made progress on other substantial projects in the region.

He said crews were about 40 percent complete with widening Arkansas 226 west of Cash. During the next stage, McMillan said, crews will finish the east end of two new lanes.

Waylon Harris | The Sun

Motorists drive on a section of U.S. 49 in Paragould that was widened to four lanes last year. It was one of several long-term highway projects completed in Northeast Arkansas in 2010.

“When we complete those, we’ll move traffic from the existing roadway up onto the new lanes. Then we’ll remodel the existing two lanes and rebuild the bridges and open it up as four lanes,” McMillan said. Crews also began widening U.S. 63 in Portia last year, where he said crews are about half finished. That 3.7-mile project will provide four lanes from the Hoxie bypass. McMillan said crews are concentrating on the stretch of U.S. 67 that will connect to the Hoxie bypass. That has been split into two projects, McMillan said. Crews finished dirt and bridge work on the first 6-mile stretch, which will connect U.S. 67 to Arkansas 230 near Alicia. And they are about 40 percent finished with bridge, drainage and dirt work on the second phase, which will connect U.S. 67 to the Hoxie bypass. After that 10-mile stretch is complete, residents of Walnut Ridge, Paragould and other Northeast Arkansas cities will have access to an interstate-quality highway all the way to Little Rock. This year road crews will replace four bridg-

‘Projects will provide motorists with more 4-lane highways to get from one place to another. It should make things easier and quicker for them.’ Walter McMillan District 10 engineer, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department

es on U.S. 63 between Marked Tree and Interstate 55. McMillan said crews are about 55 percent complete on those projects, and there’s a chance the projects could be completed this year. McMillan said the highway department recently contracted work on Arkansas 18 from Lake City to Black Oak. Contractors haven’t started that project, but McMillan expects crews to be working full force there soon. “We’re pretty busy right now,” he said. wharris@jonesborosun.com

E10

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IberiaBank builds new branches BY CHARLENE CREECH SPECIAL TO THE SUN

JONESBORO — If you have driven on Southwest Drive or Main Street through Downtown Jonesboro, you couldn’t help but notice changes in Jonesboro’s cityscape being made by IberiaBank through construction of two new branch banking facilities in these locations. The former Southwest Drive bank branch was replaced with a new full-service branch. Northeast Arkansas President Phillip Jett said the new facility at the previous site of the Movie Gallery has provided customers with an additional 3,000 square feet of banking space. “We have five full-time employees there,” he said. “Jennifer Smith is branch manager.” A grand opening will be held at the new location on April 12, Jett said. Customers can now open accounts, make loans, apply for mortgage financing and take advantage of brokerage services at the eye-catching site at 2702 Culberhouse St. at the former “transaction only” branch. “The Southwest Drive branch matches the architectural style of all our new branches in the company,” Jett said. A canopy drivethrough with four lanes and an automatic teller machine should be completed by the end of this month.

5 branches in county

IberiaBank now has five branches in Craighead County, with four of those in the city limits — the Southwest Drive branch, the main bank at 1700 East Highland Drive, a branch at 3513 East Johnson Ave. and the downtown branch at 209 West Washington St. And work is under way on the new downtown building at 420 South Main St., the old McAdams Trust Building. “We’re set to open the end of July,” Jett said. He said the historic IberiaBank building is one of the “most beautiful” in Downtown Jonesboro. The current downtown location is also a “transaction only” branch but will move to full service upon completion across from the courthouse and near law firms and accounting firms, retail out-

QuickINFO | Address: 1700 East Highland Drive Phone number: 802-1700 Web site: www.IberiaBank.com Principal officers: Phillip Jett, President-Northeast Arkansas David Doherty, Executive Vice President-Senior Credit Officer Brad Snider, Executive Vice President-Retail Manager Joe Cullum, Senior Vice President-Commercial Relationship Manager J.R. Blackburn, Senior Vice President-Commercial Relationship Manager Sandra Tweedy, Senior Vice President-Branch Manager, Pocahontas Angela Robert, Vice President/ Controller lets and restaurants. The 21,000-square-foot building will feature a drive-through. Jett said five full-time employees and mortgage and financial services officers will staff the Main Street branch. The bank’s accounting and special assets divisions will relocate to Main Street and still have adequate room for future expansion. “We would love to have one or more service companies share the building with us,” he said. “The second floor is available for lease, along with a portion of the first floor and the basement.” A total of about 13,000 square feet is available for lease, leaving IberiaBank with 8,000 square feet and common areas. Broadmoor Design Group out of Metairie, La., was the corporate architect for the project, but the bank partnered with Stuck & Associates locally. “At the end of the day,” Jett said, “our total investment is north of $5 million for these two projects.” He said IberiaBank has about 40 branch projects under way in Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. In late February, IberiaBank Corporation, the holding company of the 123-year-old IberiaBank, announced its purchase of Omni Bancshares Inc., the holding company of Louisiana-based Om-

nibank. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2011. During the tough economic times of the past few years, Jett said the bank’s employees have risen to the challenge. “We are concentrating on being advisers to our clients and to our prospects,” he said. “I think that if the customers aren’t looking to their bankers for advice, they will or should.” Adding value for the client and to the community is an IberiaBank goal, and Jett believes part of his job is to further the franchise of the bank in Northeast Arkansas. “It is a real focus of ours over the next five years to work on branding of the image of IberiaBank in the state of Arkansas,” Jett said. Achieving that goal means exercising superior financial strength, having the best bankers, having certain competencies, being community-minded through support of civic, charitable and community organizations through dollars, presence and time and finally, being “easy to work with,” he said. “Our job is the same for every client and for every prospect,” he said. Products and services alone don’t deliver that value: “A true, trusted adviser delivers that value,” he said. “Our trusted advisers have to needs-based sell, not just sell.” The management of IberiaBank believes more opportunities are going to become available in Arkansas. Jett said, “We don’t know what that looks like, but we’re interested. We’re looking to round out our footprint in all our markets.” In Northeast Arkansas IberiaBank has 135 employees. Four of those associates have achieved 25 years of seniority with the company: Vickie Mitchell, branch manager, Walnut Ridge; Kathy Jones, teller, Newport; Lisa Riley, branch manager, Tuckerman; and Warren Williams, branch manager, Imboden. The multi-bank financial holding company has 226 combined offices, including 145 branch offices. The corporation has 27 title insurance offices in Arkansas and Louisiana, and it has mortgage representatives in 54 locations in 12 states.

Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Jack Mann (left) and Frank Moore, both with Construction Network Inc., discuss placing wall studs for a remodel of 420 South Main St. to house a new IberiaBank branch in Jonesboro on March 3.

John Flora | Special to The Sun

Nicole Frey, Liberty Bank financial services representative, shows off one of the new custom-design Liberty Bank debit cards.

Liberty celebrating decade of banking BY JOHN M. FLORA SPECIAL TO THE SUN

JONESBORO — Liberty Bank celebrated its 10th birthday last month, having grown from a single banking center on Caraway Road in February 2001 to become the fifth largest bank in Arkansas. Liberty Bank has 45 banking centers across the state, serving 24 communities in northeast, northwest and central Arkansas with 627 employees. Liberty Bank President John Freeman said the past year has been challenging for the U.S. banking industry, adding, “Arkansas has weathered the storm much better than our contiguous states. We’re very pleased with the performance of not only our bank, but for banks in Arkansas in general. “A lot of it has to do with probably a more conservative base of population that pays close attention to debt and has better credit skills,” he said. “Also, we have banks that are more careful in their credit underwriting — that try to protect the consumer and keep him from being overburdened by debt and looking at his ability to pay.” Freeman said 2010 was Liberty’s best year ever for mortgage lending, with mortgage originations totaling $290 million. Ed Way, vice president for marketing at Liberty, said more than 1,200 Liberty Bank customers bought a new home or refinanced in 2010. While the bottom has dropped out of housing markets in many parts of the country, Freeman said home values have held relatively steady compared with other markets. “We’re seeing a stronger valuation of homes here compared with metropolitan areas in other parts of the state,” he said. Officials said Liberty Bank opened more than 23,000 new checking and savings accounts in 2010, resulting in an 11 percent increase in core deposits. Liberty launched a new line of customized debit cards in October featuring high school and college mascot designs as well as hobby and sportsthemed cards. Dubbed “flat cards,” the new deb-

QuickINFO | Name: Liberty Bank Headquarters: 2901 East Highland Drive President and chief executive officer: Wallace W. Fowler Vice chairman: Mark P. Fowler President: John C. Freeman Web site: www.myliberty bank.com

it cards no longer have raised numbers and letters that were once used to imprint the card information onto paper charge slips. Customers can get the new cards at any Liberty Bank branch at no additional charge. New designs are being added periodically. Recent points of pride for Liberty Bank include: • Wallace W. Fowler, chairman and chief executive officer of Liberty Bank, was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame on Feb. 11. The Arkansas Business Hall of Fame honors inductees for their accomplishments and lasting impact on the state. • Liberty Bancshares Inc. was listed in the top 100 most efficient bank holding companies in America, according to the November issue of American Banker magazine. Liberty Bank was one of only four Arkansas banking organizations to make this list. • Mark P. Fowler, vice chairman of Liberty Bank, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis — Memphis Branch. Members of the board provide input on economic conditions in areas served by the Memphis Branch. • Gov. Mike Beebe reappointed Freeman to a 5-year term on the Arkansas State Banking Board. • Amy Osment, marketing communications officer, was elected as the Jonesboro Young Professionals Network Volunteer of the Year at the annual meeting of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce in October. • Selena Barber, marketing director, was chosen as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Year at the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in October.

SeaPort adds new flight destination BY KEITH INMAN SUN STAFF WRITER

Supporting our communities throughout NE Arkansas

JONESBORO — Local residents have the option of taking commercial airline flights to two destinations from the Jonesboro Municipal Airport. SeaPort Airlines began operations in Jonesboro in October 2009 with daily flights to Memphis International Airport. This year daily flights to Kansas City, Mo., were added, offering passengers another option in making connecting flights to western destinations. Rob McKinney, SeaPort chief executive officer, said the Kansas City flights have proven successful. “We’re moving tremendously more people now than what we were before we added Kansas City,” McKinney said, adding that the opportunity to connect with Southwest Airlines appears to be

the advantage. “I think ... in the month-and-a-half that we’re doing it, I think we’ve flown more people than we did the entire time previous.” The company, based in Portland, Ore., has sought to provide affordable flights through the use of smaller 9-seat aircraft that achieve better fuel economy. SeaPort has its own terminal and provides shuttle service to the main terminal to any connecting service. SeaPort officials said passengers can leave their vehicles at Jonesboro at no charge for parking and leave behind the stress of driving to Memphis to make connections and even possibly spending the night there. Flights from Jonesboro to Kansas City are scheduled to depart at 12:40 p.m. with returning flights at 2:30 p.m. Departures from Memphis to

Jonesboro are scheduled for 7:45 a.m. and noon, and flights returning from Jonesboro will depart at 8:25 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. Before taking over the federally subsidized service in 2009, Jonesboro went more than a year without passenger service. SeaPort also provides flights from Memphis to El Dorado, Hot Springs and Harrison. McKinney said the Kansas City flights are so popular in Harrison that SeaPort added unsubsidized flights to that location. The future of service in Jonesboro is uncertain because of proposed legislation that would eliminate subsidy for Jonesboro. But McKinney said he believes his firm can make service viable in Jonesboro, given time to continue to build the public’s trust. inman@jonesborosun.com

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First Security official: Bank ‘in expansion mode’ BY KARIN HILL SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO — One of Jonesboro’s newer banks, First Security Bank, continued to expand in 2010 and will likely grow throughout the region in the near future. “First Security Bank as a whole is definitely in expansion mode right now,” Marketing-Business Development Officer Lindsey Hawkins said. “With all the continued growth we are seeing, we are actively looking for additional branch locations in Northeast Arkansas as well as acquisition opportunities.” A lot of time in 2010 was spent investing in staff. “We doubled our mortgage team staff last year, and we have seen tremendous growth and success in our mortgage department,” Hawkins said. “A significant part of the mortgage business in 2010 was in refinance. We are now one of the top mortgage businesses in Jonesboro, as well as

‘Our vision is to be Arkansas’ premier financial services company.’ Reynie Rutledge owner, First Security Bank

Saundra Sovick | The Sun

First Security Bank branch manager Shannon Cole is shown at the bank’s Southwest Drive branch on Feb. 3.

the entire state of Arkansas. Another addition to our staff was loan officer Mike Webb. It is crucial for our business to have the right people in the right positions, and more importantly to make sure we are keeping up with the demand of our customers

and providing them with the level of service they need.”

Focusing on home state Hawkins said the bank’s focus on Arkansas has been the same for more than 70 years. “We are focused on growing our Arkansas customer base, and that is a long-term focus,” she said. “We have managed to sustain growth both as a company and more specifically here in Jonesboro. Our Jonesboro bank grew over $25 million in assets in 2010 alone. Another important thing worth noting is that we have been able to grow such a tremendous amount and have not used any TARP funds.” First Security originally was chartered more than 75 years ago in Searcy as a privately owned, community-based bank. Ownership remains private today with the same owner — Reynie Rutledge and family — since 1977. Headquarters remain in Searcy, with more than 70 locations making up the “Trail of Teal” across the state, including two locations in Jonesboro — on Stadium Boulevard and Southwest Drive. “Our vision is to be Arkansas’ premier financial services company providing the most responsive, innovative and secure financial solutions to our customers with exceptional and personalized service,” Rutledge said. Jonesboro operations began in 2006 with two temporary locations opening simultaneously — a first for Jonesboro — in the fall. Construction of the main office was complete

QuickINFO | Name: First Security Bank Principal officers: Reynie Rutledge, chairman; Brad Edwards, president-chief executive officer for Jonesboro; Michael Polk, vice president-lending; Mike Webb, vice presidentlending; Beth Crockett, mortgage lending officer; Stephanie Nelson, mortgage lending officer; Lindsey Hawkins, marketing-business development officer; Dana Cooper, Stadium branch manager; Shannon Cole, Southwest branch manager-business development officer Locations: 1341 Stadium Blvd.; 313 Southwest Drive Phone: 930-2500 (Stadium); 930-2590 (Southwest) Web site: www.fsbank .com and www.face book.com/fsbank Total employment: more than 900

in February 2008, and the new branch facility on Southwest Drive was completed in July of the same year. “We offer a wide array of banking products for both personal and business customers including checking accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, loans, credit cards, and safe deposit boxes,” Hawkins said. “Other business products we offer include remote deposit capture, positive pay, lock box, merchant services, retirement plans, ACH direct deposit payroll and origination.” khill@jonesborosun.com

Focus Bank opens new branch to serve Jonesboro residents BY JOHN M. FLORA SPECIAL TO THE SUN

JONESBORO — Focus Bank is expanding its presence in Jonesboro this year with a new branch in the Hilltop area. Glen Burnett, regional bank president for Focus, said in a press release the branch at 3313 East Johnson Ave. opened March 15 to provide new account opening and deposit services for nonbusiness and business customers alike. Burnett said Focus officials recognized a need for a branch in the U.S. 49 corridor between Jonesboro and Paragould. “With the addition of the new medical center and other business expansion on Highway 49, we realized the importance of having a branch in this area to better serve our customers and to reach out to new prospects,” Burnett said. He said Focus Bank is also growing its online presence. Whether a customer wants to open a checking or savings account, Focus Bank offers

QuickINFO | Name: Focus Bank Founded: 1930 Headquarters: 101 South Main St., Charleston, Mo. 63834 President and chief executive officer: Don Burnett Regional Bank President: Glen Burnett Branches: 12 in Arkansas and Missouri ATM Locations: 15 in nine communities Employees: 158 customers the ability to do so from the comfort of their own home, he said. In addition, Focus Bank’s mobile banking service allows customers to quickly and easily receive important account alerts via text or e-mail. “Knowing how much industry there is in Northeast Arkansas, Focus Bank recognized the fact that many shift workers could not visit one of our branches during regular business hours,” Burnett said. “Instead of changing our hours, we listened

to our customers and gave them the ability to open an account on their time table. We are proud to be one a few community banks in which people can open a checking or savings account 24 hours a day, seven days a week from work, home or on their smartphone. “Nothing makes us happier than to launch a product or a service that was driven by customer requests,” Burnett said. “Our online account opening service is a great example of a customer-driven request. I know that our customers appreciate the fact that we listen to them, but more importantly, we work beside them to make our communities a better place to live and raise our families.” Focus Marketing Director Anna Ferrell said the Hilltop branch is the bank’s 12th, with other branches in communities in Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri. She said Focus hopes to build a large banking center in Jonesboro within the next two years.

Focus branches support area organizations such as American Cancer Society (Relay for Life); United Way, Amer-

ican Heart Association, Kenny Rogers Children’s Center, and the March of Dimes, she said. To learn more about

Focus Bank, stop by a location in Paragould, Marmaduke or Jonesboro or visit online at www.focus bank.com.

Our top priority is making sure your money is safe. From diverse revenue streams and sound banking practices to FDIC insurance, Regions can fully serve and protect all of your deposits. In fact, when the FDIC needed a bank to assume approximately $900 million in deposits from an Atlanta-area bank, they turned to Regions. Here’s why you should too: Stability Regions maintains a strong capital base, well above regulatory minimums. In addition, we serve more than 5 million households with nearly $100 billion of deposits across our 16-state footprint. Security Regions is a member of the FDIC, which means depositors are insured up to the limits allowed by federal law.

John Flora | Special to The Sun

Leslie Linsman, Focus Bank teller supervisor, checks out one of the drive-up teller stations at the new Focus branch at 3313 East Johnson Ave.

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Guidance There’s never been a better time to switch to Regions. We’re a familiar bank, right in your neighborhood. So drop in today and ask about our competitive rates and products like Life-Greensm Checking and Savings that help your deposits grow today and tomorrow. To learn more about what Regions can do for you, stop by a branch, call 1-800-REGIONS or visit regions.com. Rely on us today.

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Regions aims to help people during recovery Official: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;11 should be better than â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;10 BY KEITH INMAN SUN STAFF WRITER

JONESBORO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Helping small businesses work their way through recovery from one of the worst recessions in history has been a major focus of Regions Bank during the past year, said Larry Worsham, Northeast Arkansas president and chief executive officer. The bank provides advisors who study customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cash needs, said Gary Childers, executive vice president for business lending. Branch manag-

QuickINFO | Name: Regions Bank Business: Financial institution Chief executive: Larry Worsham, Northeast Arkansas market president and chief executive officer; Grayson Hall, president and CEO of Regions Financial Location: Main branch, 2400 East Highland Drive, Jonesboro; other locations available throughout Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas Headquarters: 1900 Fifth Ave. North., Birmingham, Ala. Mailing address: P.O. Box 7500, Jonesboro; P.O. Box 11007, Birmingham, Ala. 35288 (headquarters) Telephone: (870) 9311000; (205) 944-1300 (headquarters) Web site: www.regions .com

ers and others at all Regions locations throughout Northeast Arkansas have been trained to perform what the bank calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;cashcore,â&#x20AC;? a cash optimization review. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each of our team members will go out and do a cashcore on their clients,â&#x20AC;? Childers said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They sit down and try to understand the cash

â&#x20AC;&#x153;2011 should be better than 2010, or as I heard someone say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It should at least feel better.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Larry Worsham Northeast Arkansas market president, chief executive officer, Regions Bank cycle and the day-to-day cash needs ... and just go the entire scope of their business.â&#x20AC;? Childers said it helps the bank understand the customer and helps the customer find more efficient ways to use their funds. The bank can set up multiple accounts, such as operating, interestbearing and loan payment accounts that automatically trigger transfers at certain thresholds and dates, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of businesses cycle,â&#x20AC;? Childers said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During the cycle when the loan is (due), you want everything going to pay

Graycen Colbert | The Sun

Officials with Regions Bank pose in this undated photo. Pictured from left are Executive Vice President Gary Childers, Morgan Keegan Vice President Craig Boone, down the loan, but when maybe that line of credit is paid off, you want money not just sitting in an operating account, but sweep it into an interestbearing account, earning some interest.â&#x20AC;? Regions, already the largest agriculture lender among banks in Northeast Arkansas, gained some large customers over the past year, said Worsham and Jim Tubbs, executive vice president for agricultural lending. Despite the recent spike in fuel prices, the outlook for farmers this year remains good because of strong commodity prices, Tubbs said. He attributed expanded ag lending in farming and ag-business to a combination of referrals from other customers, marketing and Regionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; presence in so

many states. Worsham said he feels optimistic about the coming year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;2011 should be better than 2010, or as I heard someone say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;It should at least feel better,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Worsham said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I think it does; I think consumer confidence is a little stronger than it has been.â&#x20AC;? He said he has noticed increased production at local factories and other indicators of improved business over the past few months. If the price of fuel can be stabilized, Worsham said it should be a good year. Regions is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;1-stopshop for banking and financial servicesâ&#x20AC;? in Jonesboro, Worsham said. He said Regions is an industry leader in treasury

Northeast Arkansas Market President Larry Worsham, Morgan Keegan First Vice President Stuart Reid and Mortage Loan Officer Laura J. Shelton. management services for commercial clients. The bank offers full-service trust and full-service mortgage departments. Laura Shelton, mortgage manager in Jonesboro, has been recognized the last two years as one of the top producers in Regionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 16-state footprint, Worsham said. Morgan Keegan Financial Associates, a subsidiary of Regions Financial Corp., assists clients with investments. Regions Insurance, another subsidiary, is one of the largest insurance producers in the state, Worsham said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel like we have the best of both worlds here,â&#x20AC;? Worsham said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have all the products and technology of a large bank, delivered by local community bankers.â&#x20AC;? While Regions is clas-

sified as a super regional bank, with offices in 16 states, each office is staffed by people who are active in the community, Worsham said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our bankers serve on school boards, hospital boards, offices in civic clubs, coach youth programs and numerous other local and civic activities,â&#x20AC;? Worsham said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think sometimes large banks get a bum rap that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not involved in their communities, but obviously thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the case for Regions. People like me who have been in this business over 35 years, and most of my staff have been in it for years, are as involved in the community as any bank in Northeast Arkansas.â&#x20AC;? inman@jonesborosun.com

In 2010 BancorpSouth focused on improving online presence BY KARIN HILL SUN STAFF WRITER

Tammy Farmer, a teller at BancorpSouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fairpark branch, displays the new pink debit card customers can use to raise

JONESBORO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BancorpSouth added many improvements to help customers, especially those who bank online, in 2010. One example is FinanceWorks, a free online budgeting tool to help customers see exactly where their money goes each month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to use and is a great way to plan for both short- and long-term budgeting,â&#x20AC;? BancorpSouth spokeswoman Caryl Steele said. Among the other highlights are: â&#x20AC;˘ The main Web site, www.bancorpsouth.com, contains links to important financial education Web sites such as Practical Money Skills. â&#x20AC;˘ The Web site also features blocked locations Karin Hill | The Sun and countries for debit breast cancer awareness and help raise card use, which is convenient when planning money for the cause. a trip. In addition, there are links that show how to avoid fees, use the rewards program, and access the Investor Relations page to provide comprehensive information on BancorpSouth. â&#x20AC;˘ IdentitySecure was introduced and is available to customers who want to be proactive in making sure they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t become the victim of identity theft. Continuous monitoring of all three credit bureaus guards credit history. â&#x20AC;˘ Introduction of the pink debit card to â&#x20AC;&#x153;take a swipeâ&#x20AC;? at breast cancer. Customers can show their support of the cause and enjoy the convenience of using their debit card everywhere they shop, eat

and travel. â&#x20AC;˘ The new Pay Pass debit card allows customers to simply â&#x20AC;&#x153;tap and goâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; no more swiping required. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available at limited locations, but new locations are being added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our goal at all locations is to treat each of our customers as if they are our only customer,â&#x20AC;? Steele said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to provide you with the right product or service which is designed to make your financial life easier.â&#x20AC;? BancorpSouth has four locations in Jonesboro; three in Paragould; and

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our goal at all locations is to treat each of our customers as if they are our only customer.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Caryl Steele spokeswoman, BancorpSouth one each in Marmaduke, Pocahontas, Osceola and Wilson. BancorpSouth Insurance-Insurance Network offices are at 2804 Longview Drive in Jonesboro. BancorpSouth Mortgage is in the Fair Park office in Jonesboro. BancorpSouth Northeast Arkansas division presidents are Joe Williams, Craighead County; Joe Wessell, Greene County; Linda Warhurst, Mississippi County; and Bev Ducker, Randolph County. Division president is Steve Gramling. Regional

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QuickINFO | Name: BancorpSouth Location: In Jonesboro â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 2201 Fair Park Blvd.; 5902 East Johnson Ave.; 700 South Main St.; 1901 West Parker Road. Other branches in Paragould, Marmaduke, Pocahontas, Osceola and Wilson. Phone: 972-9800 (Fair Park) Web site: www.bancorp south.com

sales and marketing coordinator is Judy Dacus. BancorpSouth Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Tupelo, Miss., with approximately $13.6 billion in assets. BancorpSouth Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BancorpSouth Inc., operates about 315 commercial banking, mortgage, insurance, trust and broker-dealer locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. BancorpSouth Bank also operates an insurance location in Illinois. BancorpSouthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BXS. The mission statement is â&#x20AC;&#x153;to be the leading financial services company in our markets, close to the customer and focused on the communities we serve. To maximize shareholder value through consistently strong earnings performance, strong market share, and maintenance of high-quality assets. To continuously transform BancorpSouth into a more diverse and comprehensive financial services company. To be our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; provider of choice for financial services, a multifaceted relationship providing value to both the customer and our company. To provide an inspiring career opportunity for dedicated professionals.â&#x20AC;? khill@jonesborosun.com

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Official: First National off to great start in ’11 BY KELLIE COBB SUN STAFF WRITER

PARAGOULD — First National Bank saw significant growth in 2010. At the end of 2010 the bank’s total assets were more than $645 million, said Chuck Palmer, vice president for marketing. Total deposits exceeded $507 million, and total loans were up by more than 5 percent to $504 million, Palmer said. “Most of our (loan) growth came from agri loans, land production loans, as well as investment rental property and commercial property,” said Matt Rankin, Jonesboro community president and senior lending and chief operating officer. Rankin said the bank is “off to a great start in 2011.” FNB is an independent bank and not affiliated with a national or regional bank. It has eight branches in Jonesboro, Paragould, Corning and Knobel. The bank holding company of FNB has approximately 260 shareholders. “Lending decisions are made by people who un-

QuickINFO | Name: First National Bank Principal officers: Bill Brewer, chairman; Donald Guinn, president and chief executive officer; Matt Rankin, Jonesboro community president and chief operating officer Phone: Jonesboro — 9749800; Paragould — 2398521; and Corning-Knobel — 857-3592 Web site: www.fnbank .net Total employment: 150 derstand the needs of families, businesses, industries and farmers located here where our employees and stockholders live and work,” Palmer said. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ranked First National Bank as the 24th largest in Arkansas in June 2010. Palmer said FNB also experienced an 11 percent increase in checking account customers in 2010. Many of the new customers came to the bank through referrals of other customers. “This is a very positive

Kellie Cobb | The Sun

Terrell Sandlin counts bills with a machine at First National Bank’s Elk Park location in Jonesboro.

indicator of the great service provided by our employees,” he said.

New service First National Bank began offering its business customers Remote Deposit Capture Service (RDCS), which provides a way for businesses to deposit incoming checks into their accounts without coming to a branch. It works by adding RCDS software to a business

‘First National Bank is among an elite group of only five percent of banks nationwide to have maintained the 5star rating for 21 consecutive years or longer.’ Chuck Palmer vice president for marketing, First National Bank computer. A scanner attached to the computer uploads the checks to a secure Web site, Palmer said. Once the checks are scanned and uploaded, a deposit is made to the business’ account. “This can save time, money and potentially prevent lost sales due to your absence from your place of business,” Palmer said. In addition, FNB customers continue to use online banking platforms. “More people are using their mobile devices to check account balances, transactions, transfer funds between accounts,

Kellie Cobb | The Sun

Darlene Goforth works at the drive-thru at First National Bank’s Elk Park location in Jonesboro. pay bills and more,” Palmer said. “FNB also provides e-statements as a faster, safer and greener way to receive your bank statements.” Rankin said this increase in online services has “enabled us to grow our deposit business.” The bank offers a full range of deposit services including free checking, FDIC insured high-yield savings instruments including certificates of deposit, IRAs and savings accounts and a full range of lending products for consumers, commercial,

agricultural and home mortgage financing.

5-star rating For the 21st consecutive year First National Bank received a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial of Coral Gables, Fla. Bauer analyzes the financial condition of all banks nationwide based on information available from U.S. bank regulatory agencies and assigns each bank a rating from one to five stars. “First National Bank is among an elite group

of only five percent of banks nationwide to have maintained the 5-star rating for 21 consecutive years or longer,” Palmer said.

Community involvement

Community service continues to be another important part of FNB’s efforts, Palmer said. “Our officers and employees are always found working and leading in many community service efforts,” he added. kb@jonesborosun.com

Jonesboro financial companies NORTHEAST ARKANSAS GREEN! weather economic recession well MARCKIS GOING RECYCLING

JONESBORO — Despite working through an economic recovery, 2010 was a good year for some investment and mortgage companies.

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Advisors LLC at 909 Windover Road in Jonesboro has added members to its team and saw some of its staff achieve recognition during 2010, said Scott Durham, Jonesboro branch manager. In 2010 the Jonesboro branch added three financial advisors: Alvin Ward, Carrie Russom Quraishi and Jeremy Watson. Wells Fargo intends to add more advisors in 2011. Advisor Bill Harris received the designation of associate vice presidentinvestment officer. Karen Massey, client associate, received the Wells Fargo 2010 Volunteer Service Award for her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South. Melissa Browning, registered client associate, received the Distinguished Service Professional designation, given based on exemplary service and professionalism to clients, advisors, the branch and the firm. Browning was also selected to the Client Associate Advisory Council. Wells Fargo was born out of Wells Fargo and Co.’s 2009 acquisition of Wachovia Corporation. The firm offers advisory services, asset management, brokerage services, estate planning strategies, retirement

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935-5525

planning and portfolio analysis and managing. The Jonesboro branch has 14 employees and may be reached at 9321151 or toll free at 1-800925-1151.

First Community First Community Bank Mortgage, 708-B Windover, Jonesboro, has seen growth in the number of homeowners taking advantage of current low mortgage rates to refinance existing home loans. Many families who refinance are reducing monthly payments while saving on the total loan payout, according to a company press release. It is also an opportune time for those in the market to purchase a home, as homebuyers are enjoying record low interest rates in a buyers’ market, company officials said. Jelena Prichard, assistant vice president of the Jonesboro mortgage office, heads First Community Bank’s mortgage operation in Northeast Arkansas. Prichard and Tonya House, both Jonesboro natives, provide full-service residential loans for those seeking long-term, fixed rate mortgages in the secondary market including FHA, VA, conventional and rural housing loans. Jelena serves Northeast Arkansas by being involved in the surrounding communities. She is the 2010-11 president of the Northeast Arkansas Chapter of Mortgage Bankers Association, an associate member of the Jonesboro Board of Real-

tors, and a member of the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society, and participates in fund-raisers for the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. A division of First Community Bank, headquartered in Batesville, the Jonesboro Mortgage Division may be reached at 932-3562.

Sharp Financial Sharp Financial Services Inc., 603-B Southwest Drive, has seen a growth in customers in need of well-designed financial plans that can help counter the prospect of higher taxation and inflation, and provide income during retirement, company officials said in a news release. Sharp offers planning strategies designed to guarantee incomes for life, regardless of market conditions, much of which can be tax free, according to the news release. “There has been a great deal of interest by the public, as well as much innovation in this area by financial service companies over the past two years,” said president Jack Sharp “We show clients how to grow and protect their assets for and during retirement.” Sharp Financial Services was established in 1985. The company plans to add another investment advisor this year. Sharp may be reached at 935-6681 or on the Web at w w w. s h a r p f i n a n c i a l servicesinc.com.

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County officials applaud plans to build plant

OSCEOLA — The decision of a German-based wind turbine company to build a facility in Mississippi County was a nearly yearlong effort that culminated last May when the company announced plans to build a $10 million plant. In late 2009 Mississippi County justices voted to approve $3.1 million for the project, then nicknamed “Project Hans.” County officials were hush-hush about the project but were excited about its possibilities. “It is a great value to our county,” then-County Judge Steve McGuire said before the announcement. “It is a big thing for Osceola and Northeast Arkansas,” Osceola mayor Dickie Kennemore said. “These are really good jobs, and we are lucky to secure it.”

Studies done

The project moved forward during the winter and spring of last year, with studies being done on the project. The 60,000-square-foot facility at the corner of

U.S. 61 and Arkansas 325 will manufacture turbine wind frames. At least 300 people will be employed at the facility by the time it is completed, company officials

‘When [the Beckmann Volmer facility] is up and going, there is a possibility of 200 more potential jobs. So it is a huge economic impact.’ Curt Hodges | The Sun

Randy Carney Mississippi County Judge

Bernd Volmer, managing director and co-owner of Beckmann Volmer, shakes hands with now-state Sen. David Burnett, D-Osceola, after the announcement on May 20 that the company would locate in Osceola.

said at the time. The vast majority of the jobs will be in the welding field, Mississippi County Judge Randy Carney said. “At least 280 of the 300 jobs will be welding jobs that pay between $18 and $25 an hour,” Carney said. He said the county, Beckmann Volmer and Arkansas Northeastern

College are working on a program to train welders similar to an aviation maintenance certificate the college offers. Company officials joined Gov. Mike Beebe and other leaders in the announcement. “We are delighted to call Osceola our new home,” co-owner Bernd Volmer

said at the announcement. “After a thorough search and considering more than 100 possible locations in the Midwest and South, we believe that we have found the best place for us to set up shop.” Beebe said during the announcement that the state has been a leader in wind-related fields, not-

ing other companies like Nordex have chosen Arkansas for new facilities. Carney said the announcement is a definite shot in the arm for the county. “It helps the students, it helps the economy and it helps in taxes. It has a huge impact,” Carney said. “When it is up

and going, there is a possibility of 200 more potential jobs. So it is a huge economic impact,” Carney said. The company is expected to break ground in late March or early April. Sun staff writers Michael Wilkey and Curt Hodges contributed to this report.

Most notable development in Cross County in 2010 was agricultural BY MICHAEL WILKEY SUN STAFF WRITER

There was not a lot of industrial growth in the traditional sense in Cross County in 2010, but there was some agricultural and retail development, an official with the county’s chamber of commerce said. Brian Thompson, director of external affairs for the chamber, said sweet potato producer Matthews-Ridgeview Farms bought a building in the Wynne Industrial Park in 2010. “They purchased a 60,000-square-foot speculative building for additional storage and usage space for its operations,” Thompson said. The building was originally constructed in 2009 to help bring an industry to Wynne. “It helped attract industries to look at the area, two of which eventually located here but at alternative sites,” Thompson

said. He said the sweet potato producer — the largest in Arkansas —

The building purchased by MatthewRidgeview Farms ‘helped attract industries to look at the area, two of which eventually located here but at alternative sites.’ Brian Thompson director of external affairs, Cross County Chamber of Commerce bought the building from Ashrock Metals and the Cross County Economic

Development Corporation. “Matthews-Ridgeview Farms contacted both Ashrock and the CCEDC about the possibility of purchasing the building as they had an immediate need for the site,” Thompson said.

Retail development There was an uptick in retail business last year as nearly 10 retail businesses opened around the county, Thompson said. Some are specialty businesses, like Shannon’s Cards and Comics, Heavenly Sweets and the Wynne Flea Market. Several opened in Wynne, while other businesses opened in Cherry Valley, Thompson said. A Dollar General store opened in early 2010 along Arkansas 1 in Cherry Valley. The store gave the town, situated halfway between Harrisburg and Wynne, a muchneeded shopping place,

Thompson said. “It is doing well,” Thompson said. “The store there is more grocery-oriented. The town has been lacking [a grocery store] for many years.” Cherry Valley and the Cross County Economic Development Corporation both provided incentive money to build the store.

A new restaurant, the T-Bird Diner, also opened in Cherry Valley while another restaurant, Bin’s Chinese Restaurant, opened in Wynne, Thompson said. Another restaurant in Wynne also expanded this past year. “Johnson’s Freeze Inn, a local restaurant that has been in business more than 35 years, ex-

panded to add a sit-down restaurant in Wynne,” Thompson said. mwilkey@jonesborosun.com

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The Last Five Years of Progress... • 650 new manufacturing jobs created • PLUS 140 manufacturing jobs saved • 26% increase in retail sales in the City of Newport • 22 ReNewport grants awarded to small retail businesses • 10 new manufacturing businesses

Motors and power transmission supplies, hydraulics, pneumatics and electrical products are available at Purvis Industries’

newest location in Blytheville at 4375 Arkansas 18 East.

Purvis adds products, looks to increase staff during 2010

JONESBORO — Purvis Industries in Jonesboro, Batesville and Blytheville added new products in 2010 and looks forward to adding more staff in 2011, company officials said. Purvis Industries, owned by Bob Purvis, added a new Hydra Air division and services for hydraulics and pneumatics lines. A new location at 4375 Arkansas 18 East in Blytheville opened Feb. 28 “We needed this change to further assist our customers with the ever-

changing production environment,” manager Dereck Turner said. “Larger competitors have corporate contracts, but with more additions to our product lines and services we have distinguished ourselves as a solutions provider rather than parts in a box.” This year Turner wants

to add to the sales force and find a new location for the Jonesboro store. Purvis Industries offers motors and power transmission supplies, hydraulics, pneumatics and electrical supplies. They service heavy manufacturing and work with original equipment manufacturers.

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Simmons encourages children to save money JONESBORO — Simmons First Bank gave back to the community in 2010 by helping teach children the importance of being thrifty. Bankers visited almost 400 ninth-graders at Nettleton, Annie Camp, MacArthur and Valley View middle schools for their 14th annual Teach Children to Save Day on April 27. Simmons employees taught children how to write a check and balance a checkbook, and they demonstrated how money can grow in a savings account. One of the tips given was to put a jar by the washing machine or on a nightstand. Every time you do laundry and find change, put it in the jar, the bankers said. They also recommended saving 5-10 percent of money received through allowance or summer jobs in a savings account. Among the Simmons representatives who attended the event were Daniel Robinson and Mallory Youngman, who also introduced students to the concept of credit. “The kids don’t know that your credit could follow you the rest of your life,” Youngman said after the presentation. “It was a lot of fun,” Robinson said. “We talked about the importance of saving and how [the children] will benefit in the

QuickINFO | Main location: 1720 South Caraway Road, Jonesboro Bank president: Barry Ledbetter Phone: 933-8000 Employees: 68 locally; 1,100 nationwide Services: Five full-service branches in Jonesboro, Paragould and Weiner Web site: www.simmons first.com

Saundra Sovick | The Sun

Tonya Emery, Simmons First Bank customer service officer and teller supervisor, completes Michael Tyler’s transaction at the main office in Jonesboro on March 10. future by starting the process now.” Children often get their first jobs when they are in the ninth and 10th grades. “Imagine you’re 14 and you’re dreaming of having your own car when you turn 16. Saving your allowance or birthday and Christmas money is a good way to get a head start,” Youngman said. Simmons has full-service locations in Jonesboro at 1720 South Caraway Road, 711 Southwest Drive and 501 West Washington Ave.; in Paragould at 205 Linwood Drive; and in Weiner at 202 Ritter St. Full service means the branches offer checking and savings account services, mortgage services, company, commercial and personal loans and trust services. Simmons employs 68 people in Northeast Arkansas and 1,100 nationwide. The principal manager of Simmons is President Barry Ledbetter. Special achievements in 2010 include Youngman’s

and Tammy Hailey’s graduation from the 2010 Leadership Jonesboro and Paragould programs. On May 14, 2010, Simmons announced the acquisition of the Springfield, Mo.-based Southwest Community Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction. “This acquisition is the first of several that we anticipate making over the next two to three years, which is the reason we raised $70.5 million in additional capital in November (2009),” said J. Thomas May, chairman and chief executive officer. “It represents a good first step in expanding beyond the borders of Arkansas.” On Oct. 15 Simmons announced the second expansion of the year with the acquisition of Security Savings Bank, based in Olathe, Kan., with nine financial centers throughout the Kansas City metro area. The bank began in Pine Bluff on March 23, 1903. —Ray Whiteside

e k a M e l p Great Peo Betts Thomas & o Work t e c a l P t A Grea For information about employment opportunities visit our website at www.tnb.com or send your resume to: hr_jonesboro@tnb.com