Monticello Economic Development

Executive Director Truman Hamilton

Monticello Economic Development Commission (MEDC) meets the first Wednesday of every month. It is an open meeting that the public is invited and encouraged to attend. Meetings are held on the UAM Campus at the Gibson Center in the Caucus Room at 12:00 noon. Meeting participants pick up a lunch tray in the cafeteria and proceed to the Caucus Room to enjoy their meal. We hope the information below is helpful and encourages more participation in the organization.

The Board of Directors of the Monticello Economic Development Commission met at noon on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 in the Capitol Room at the Gibson Center on the UAM campus. The following directors were in attendance: Tommy Maxwell, Al Womack, Bill Wisener, George Harris, Jack Lassiter, Michael Layfield, Bettye Gragg and Bennie Ryburn III. Proxies were sent by Carolyn Brown, Chris Lampkin and Dave Dickson. The following directors were absent: Carolyn Brown, Ron Echols, Dave Dickson, Chris Lampkin, Wayne Fawcett, and Bobby Harper. Guests in attendance were: Joe Burgess, Mayor Joe Rogers, Russell Corker, Jackie Adams, David Ray, Patty Wooten, Curtis Larsen, Curtis Merrell and Lou James. Truman Hamilton and Linda Jones of the staff were also in attendance.

Ryburn called the meeting to order at 12:30 pm. A motion was made by George Harris and seconded by Al Womack to approve the minutes of the March meeting and accept the financial report as presented. That motion carried.

In opening remarks, Ryburn made everyone aware of a Town Hall Meeting to be held on the 15^th at UAM by Mike Ross. Ryburn also expressed thanks to the four banks for contributing to the Flag Fund. Using money contributed by the banks, the MEDC purchased 6, 20 X 30 flags that will be flown at Highway 425 and 278. The city lowers these flags when strong winds are expected but there is usually a flag flying at that intersection. Ryburn also advised that House Resolution 1004 will help retail business that relies on financing. Ryburn said that it appears that this will pass. The bill will help large item retailers, help with student loans, help with bond issues and other areas where financing is needed. It will allow lenders more flexibility when making loans.

In the director’s report, Hamilton welcomed and introduced Russell Corker and Jackie Adams. He also updated the group on grant activity for the city. A grant for $74,000 to help replace two trucks has been applied for through the ADEQ and a grant opportunity to help pay for a new fire station is anticipated. This is expected to be announced by FEMA and Hamilton said that he expects to have the narrative and project information ready when the opportunity is made available. Hamilton also made the group aware of a letter that notified the city that the Reynolds Foundation has postponed action on funding a community center until October. The Tyson plant has started running an additional bus from Monticello to Pine Bluff to transport workers to their plant there.

Ryburn advised that he has applied for an additional grant for $357,000 for improvements to the airport.. An Agri area is planned and fencing of the runway area for animal control needs to be completed and some taxi ways are to be improved. Ryburn said that the fence project is needed to keep deer off the runway. He saw several deer there while helping repair an aircraft that had been damaged by a collision with a deer. Improvements to the facility with the addition of a conference room are in the future along with a needed parking area.

Ryburn presented a Ridgeway update. He said that he has been in touch will Lee Jones and John Toney and the grant picture is ever changing. He said that NBI is on top of the situation and working to get the project funded. We should know if this project will proceed in June.

Hamilton presented a request to the board to approve a resolution to accept the conditions of the funding for the revolving loan fund ($98,000.00) from USDA. This is the same resolution that the board had approved in 2005, but there are some new board members and the USDA required those members accept the conditions. Dr. Lassiter made a motion to approve the resolution and George Harris made the second. The resolution was approved with out opposition. Hamilton advised that there are three applicants approved and about $72,000.00 will be into play almost at once. Hamilton also asked that the board allow him to make a one-time payment of $5,000.00 on the principal and pay the interest on the spec building note that balloons each year. The board agreed to do this. Harris expressed his thanks.

In the UAM report, Dr. Lassiter said that he had been in budget meetings all morning. He said that the university has asked each department to return a percentage of their budget for reallocation. He said that some departments have returned more than had been requested. He said that the best news is that they have not had to cut jobs at UAM. He also expressed his thanks to our legislators for their success in securing funds for the university. Lassiter said that he anticipates getting some GIF money to be applied to the Forestry Resources Center. It is not official yet. With the funds on hand, the university will have $6 million dollars and will begin construction of this annex. Lassiter advised that commencement will be May 15^th. He thanked everyone that participated in the kickoff activity held April 1^st of the centennial celebration. He said that the University Board of Visitors will meet on campus on the 17^th of April. The Cornerstone Coalition is planning an activity June 30^th on campus: a six county activity.

Jackie Adams reported that in March they had 9 new patients and filled 19 new prescriptions for a total cash value of $11,449.83.

Mike Layfield reported that the hospital has approved a budget for the year with a $500,000.00 anticipated gain for the year and that includes a $300,000.00 raise for the nurses. He said that this year they will end the year with about a $900,000.00 gain. The new motto for the hospital is “Service Excellence” for the upcoming year. He said they have adopted four pillars of excellence. Customer Service, Employee Satisfaction, Safe, Quality Care and Financial Health will be stressed. Next year a 5^th pillar will be added. The medical office building is still being discussed. A 32,000 square foot building that will be a good addition to the medical park. He said that they have interviewed two physicians to be added to the staff; an OB/GYN and a Cardiologist. Over half of the transfers from the hospital are heart related. Both have made a tentative commitment to come. The OB/GYN can be here within a year and cardiologist can be here within 3 months. He said that they had not heard anything about stimulus money. He said that they asked for about 6 million dollars. A discussion ensued about housing stimulus money and the fact that Arkansas does not deficit spend so we are actually penalized for good management. Mayor Rogers was asked about sales tax receipts. He advised that they were down $88 compared to the month last year but receipts were up $21,000.00 for the year.