Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Construction starts with drier weather

Construction projects in the area have been delayed because of the wet weather, but as things dry out work will begin.

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, said a pre-construction meeting has been held for the walking/jogging trail by the Nevada County Health Unit. Work on this project could begin soon, he told the Nevada County Quorum Court at its July 12 meeting, and be completed by the end of August.

In talking about the city street project, he said bids will be open soon and the city will know where it stands on what can be done. Chadwell and Joe Heath drove around the city looking at the streets, talking about what needs to be done. Heath made several suggestions which could be used as deductive alternates on the projects. This way, if the funds are available more could be done.

The overpass project, he said, looks like a go. But, with this being an election year, there's no telling when the President will sign the bill into law. "The nice thing about this is it will be a federal highway, joining Highways 371 and 67. The city and county won't have to do maintenance on it."

Two prospects visited Prescott last month, he said. with one looking at the garment factory. Information about the area was sent to two other prospects who showed interest.

In addition, Chadwell said he received an email from the state looking to identify all sites with 800 acres, water, electricity, with no more than three owners involved and on a highway. "I've been scouring the county looking for such property."

The information will be put in the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED) database and Nevada County could then be considered for major projects.

The home project, he said, is going well, with the company working with the county surprised at the response. According to Chadwell, there have been 45-50 applications submitted for the program.

The homes involved have been visited and some can't be renovated for $25,000 and need to be torn down so a new home could be built. But, he said, this is up to the owners to decide.

Chadwell pointed out the applicants for the home program are from all over the county, not any one particular area.

Several members of the 2004 Leadership Nevada County class attended the meeting. Chadwell said the Leadership program is going will and the class will be learning about local government in its July session. The class will meet with Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown, along with the mayors in all of the incorporated cities in the county.