Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Malone Helping Camden Area

When the Camden International Paper Co. plant announced plans to close after the first of the year, who came to the rescue but newly-elected State Senator Percy Malone.

Malone, upon learning about the closing, worked with the Arkansas Department of Economic Development to release $500,000 to Camden for use in completing work on expanding facilities to attract new industry.

He had set the money aside 18 months ago when the legislature was last in session. The idea then, he said, was there are pockets of high unemployment in part of Arkansas and the money could be used to help in some way with economic development.

"I was concerned about some communities who faced uncertainty in their industrial development," Malone said.

As soon as he learned about the closing, Malone called Barbara Pardue, director of the ADED, saying he would like her immediate commitment to release these funds to Camden.

"She went to work, too, and I appreciate the expeditious manner in which she handled this matter, and applaud her agency in remembering the people of Camden and Ouachita County," Malone said.

He also worked with Congressman-elect Mike Ross, state representatives Robert White and Gene Jeffress, state senator Jodie Mahony and two incoming leaders of the legislature, Mike Beebe of Search and Shane Broadway of Bryant.

Malone said this money will be used to finish out an existing building, making it more attractive to industry looking for a place to locate.