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County Most Likely Spot For Industry Says Manning

BY JOHN MILLER
Published Wednesday, May 24, 2000 in the Gurdon Times

Clark County is still the most likely spot for a new energy plant, according to Clark County Judge Floyd "Buddy" Manning.

Manning, talking to the Clark County Industrial Council Thursday, May 18, said he has been in regular contact with Duke Energy's project manager.

There are two sites being considered by Duke Energy, one in Clark County and the other in Hot Spring County. According to Manning, the company will locate its plant at one of these two places.

He said officials with the company did look at a site near Gurdon, but rejected it.

"I think we (Clark County) have the best shot because of our water situation," he said.

The Clark County site is on the Ouachita River and would provide Duke Energy with enough water on a daily basis to create electricity.

Brown Hardman, CCIC president, said he received a fax from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED) on a prospective industry for the county.

This prospect is also an independent power producer wanting to locate a plant in Arkansas.

Hardman told the board the CCIC does have a site in the county to show this company.

The Human Resource Council, he said, met recently to discuss the Southwest Arkansas Learning Center.

The center, he said, is "off and running" having scheduled its first round of classes.

This, Hardman said, is the best thing the CCIC has ever done. "We're now providing better employees and improving the quality of our work force."

By improving the work force, he said, the area become even more attractive to industries looking to expand or relocate.

Hardman informed the board about the situation with Bowater, saying there is no chance the paper company will locate in Clark County.

In fact, he said, Bowater plans on letting its options on the land it had once planned to buy and build a plant on expire this summer.

However, Bowater officials had not intended to let the CCIC know their plans until the options had expired.

Hardman learned of this turn of events because of a land auction in the area Bowater was planning to locate. A section of the property was under option to the CCIC and the deal couldn't be closed until the title to piece of land was cleared.

The CCIC agreed to release its option on the land for $10,000, and has signed the necessary papers.

In June, he said, the Fanny Mae foundation will have representatives in the area to discuss the housing situation.

Industry leaders are encouraged to attend and get involved with helping their employees find adequate housing.

Officials with the United States Department of Agriculture will also be on hand with a presentation, as will other lending agencies.

The meeting will be held at the Garrison Center in the Ross Room at 8 a.m.


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