Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Court learns of "good things"

A lot of good things are going on in Nevada County.

This is what Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office told the Nevada County Quorum Court at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 12.

He said bids for the building at the industrial park are in and hopefully are within the funds available.

A business has already expressed interest in taking the facility over when it's built and would hire about 30 people once it's operational.

Some fancy footwork has been used with the easement situation for the rural water project.

Chadwell said 62 easements were needed so bids could be let for the project, with several being knocked off.

For those who are adamant about keeping the water line off their property, the Arkansas Highway Department will be asked if its right of way can be utilized for the lines. In some areas, ditches will be used to avoid getting on the property of those who refuse to sign easements.

Once the easement situation is taken care of, Chadwell said, the project can be let for bid. Then a contractor can be chosen and the system built. It will take between 12 and 15 months to complete once construction starts.

Chadwell said the financing agencies have allowed a smaller number to be signed up than originally considered. The initial estimate required 600 customers, while 382 have signed up for city water.

However, he said, this will mean the bills will have to be refigured based on the lower number of customers, as this is how the loans will be paid back.

Once construction begins, he said, others will likely sign up, simply because there are those who must see something being done before they'll get involved.

The final base amount of water bills won't be determined until the project is finished. The more people who sign on, the lower the bill will be for everyone involved.

Chadwell told the court about a reality television show looking at possibly filming in Prescott.

The concept, he said, would bring two "uptown" girls to a small town, put them on a farm or ranch for six weeks and have them work in local businesses during the filming period.

The girls will actually live with two different farm families, and the producers are requiring the families have a son between 18-25 years old.

Prescott, he said, has made the short list of 25 small towns in six states.

Should Prescott be picked, Chadwell told the court, there will be many benefits for the community.

First off, the crew will have to have somewhere to stay during the filming, they'll have to eat and purchase various items while here.

In addition, Prescott would receive national exposure once the program is aired.

"You can't pay for advertising like that," he said. "Prospects talk about how friendly the people are here, and I think it would come across on TV."

Because Joyce Gibson, the county librarian, wasn't present, the court postponed discussion of the budget for the Nevada County Library until its February meeting, when Gibson can attend and explain what's needed.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown said the new library is expected to open in late April or early May.

Danny McGuire, one of the justices of the peace, operates a wrecker service. This service has been used by the county prior to McGuire's being elected.

Brown said the court would have to pass an ordinance to allow the county to use McGuire's services as needed in order to avoid a conflict of interest from arising. The county will use other services in the area as well.

The ordinance was passed.

Brown urged the JPs to watch the current legislative session and pay particular attention to any bills that could affect county government.