Monticello Economic Development Commission
Board of Directors Meeting

January 6th, 2010

The Board of Directors of the Monticello Economic Development Commission met at noon on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 in the Caucus Room at the Gibson Center on the UAM campus. The following directors were in attendance: Bennie Ryburn III, Wayne Fawcett, Mike Layfield, Jack Lassiter, Bill Wisener, Bettye Gragg, George Harris, Tom Wingard and Tommy Maxwell. The following directors were absent: Carolyn Brown, Chris Lampkin, Dave Dickson and Bobby Harper. Guests in attendance were: Curtis Larsen, Joe Burgess, Ranelle Eubanks, Karen Brown, Ann Barnett, Lou James, Damon Lampkin, Drew County Judge, Sheilla Lampkin, Nikki Mankin, Joe Rogers, Mayor of Monticello, Bob Majors and Mabel Gibbs, with the USDA. Truman Hamilton and Linda Jones of the staff were also in attendance.

Bennie Ryburn III called the meeting to order at 12:16 pm. Upon motion made by George Harris and seconded by Tommy Maxwell the minutes of the previous meeting were approved as printed and the treasurer’s report was accepted.

Ryburn welcomed everyone to the meeting, advised that the Monticello City Council approved $262,000.00 for the MEDC for 2010. This wasn’t as much as had been requested but that the council in the past has funded special projects like Hood Packaging when the need arises and money is needed.

Director`s Report:

Truman Hamilton gave a brief report on the planned Washington D.C. trip. There are 16 confirmed going from Drew County and two from Bradley County. Call Linda to get rooms and flight reservations. The dinner will be on the 24th so as not to conflict with an event that Magnolia, Arkansas has planned. Hamilton said that the amount approved in the budget was adequate and that money was included in the city budget for derelict housing and property cleanup so the reduction was not as much as it appears. Hamilton introduced Mabel Gibbs with the USDA. She gave the group a great deal on information about loans and grants that were available to business and industry. She also made the group aware of a loan guarantee program available to business and industry. Usually the funds are quickly depleted for these programs but this year additional money is available because of stimulus funding. A number of questions were posed by members. September is the deadline for several of the programs.

Airport Report:

Ryburn reported that the fencing work continues at the airport. In the next 30 to 45 days this will be completed. Ryburn reported that he has communicated with the FAA about future grants for possible land acquisition, small blocks that would improve the land configuration. Also plans are in place to improve the office area. Ryburn proposed a promotion of services at the airport fashioned after other plans that he has seen. Cards will be mailed to pilots that use the airport and buy fuel to welcome them back. Increased fuel sales would increase the number of landings and that would enhance the ability to get grants to improve the facility. Ryburn updated the group about the just completed fertilizer operation, 3.3 million pounds, which was based at the airport. Airplanes were used to fertilize Plum Creek timber land.

Ridgeway:

The Ridgeway ranked 4th out of 33 applications. Ryburn advised that we have been paying some of the expenses from our funds. Some of these expenses will be reimbursed. It now appears that the Monticello Economic Development Fund, a part of the MEDC will retain ownership of the property. The Ridgeway will become a major asset for the MEDC when that happens. We would have a debt free project in 15 years. A meeting is scheduled with the contractors and architect and a more definitive date to start construction will be reached and a better cost estimate will be attained.

UAM Report:

Dr. Lassiter said the process of soliciting proposals to build a retirement village on campus has begun. Two very viable proposals have been received and the evaluation process has started. There are no guarantees that this will be built, but this could be a real asset to the university and to the area. Should any decision be made it will likely be presented to the board early spring. Work will begin this summer on the Forestry Resources Complex and upgrading the existing facility. An architect has been hired and initial work has begun on this project. Lassiter was appreciative of the $4.7 million dollars that has been secured through the work of our elected representatives. Lassiter said that an enrollment dip can be expected. He also said that a funding cut is very possible due to reduced state revenue. He also gave the group information about the lottery scholarships. The university has received a lot of inquires about these funds. He said that there are restrictions but a qualifying full time student could expect between $3,500 and $5,000 with about half that at a 2-year school. Lassiter repeated that the tree clearing on Highway 425 that is underway is for 64 apartments being built by private investors that live in Little Rock. The university is not involved with this project. Lassiter asked for time during a future meeting to make an informative presentation to the committee about student enrollment.

Ryburn mentioned the war chest that the council started to be used as incentive money to help locate industry to Monticello got a $100,000.00 addition in the 2010 budget.

The Hospital Report:

Layfield begain by saying “If Drew County was a sailboat, Jack Lassiter puts the economic wind in our sailboat. Jack is doing a great job and we appreciate what he is doing.” Mike Layfield, reported that the hospital made about $90,000.00 in profit for the month and that currently the hospital is full. He said that they started the year with a bang and a thud. The bang is that the hospital is full and they are borrowing beds and looking for space, the thud is that they are clearing out pine trees to make room for the expansion. The construction should begin in about a year. The hospital has applied through the USDA for a $12 million dollar loan for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the expansion. He said that the ground breaking is anticipated to begin in 2011. He said that local banks will be asked to participate with loans of $2 millions dollars for the project. They are in the process of locating additional modular housing to be used in the interim. Layfield praised the pain management program and the job that Dr. Morris is doing and he said that the kemo and cardiac care program will begin soon. Additional doctors are being recruited and the doctors in this area are giving the hospital good support. Layfield mentioned that Mainline Clinic will open in the former McKiever Clinic building. That should be in February. He praised again the efforts of the doctors in this area. He said that they delivered 40 babies in December, 32 in November, lot of surgeries, the OR is being used...”if you do an excellent job in caring for the patients, then profits will come”. Layfield said that the donation that Minnie Mae Moffitt has made to the hospital has stimulated more people to make donations from other people to support the hospital.

Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition:

Mary Seymore was not in attendance. There was no report.

Drew H.E.A.L.T.H. Inc.

Karen Brown reported that the mass flu clinics have been completed for this year and over 5,000 immunizations were given. Flu vaccine is available at the clinic for $20.00. The H1N1 vaccine is free. Nikki Mankin reported that in December, 9 patents were served at a savings of $1,845.00. Since January 2006, 157 patients have been served with a savings of $451,518.00. Mike Layfield interjected that the program needed support in the form of a cash infusion by March 31 of about $2,500.00. Tommy Maxwell made a motion that the MEDC support this program with $2,500.00 and the motion was seconded by Jack Lassiter. The motion was approved without opposition.

Ryburn asked Wayne Fawcett for an update about the school system. Fawcett said that they face the same problems as other districts. They include declining population and funding. He said that a study was done last year that shows that students aren’t leaving D.C. to go to Monticello or other districts. D. C. actually gained students from every district around D.C. with exchange with Monticello being negative 1. He said that they have a good working relationship with the Monticello District. He said that student enrollment is tied to economic development, kids come when jobs are here, when people leave, the students leave. The most important change coming to schools is federal funding tied to a program called “Race to the Top”. Funds will be tied to how well students are performing, cutting edge and innovative with measurable progress. You will hear less and less about No Student Left Behind. Only 15 states were asked to apply and the Gates Foundation supplied a grant writer and Arkansas is expected to be one of the five states that is funded in round one. Schools will sign on to this program. He said that we have two fine school systems in Monticello, we are holding our own and expect some good things in the near future. He said that 8 to 10 years ago, D.C. had 1200 students and we are now at just below 1000. He said that he expects less funding from the state with tax revenue being down.

With no other business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned.

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