Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

ADED looking for property for posible new businesses

Commercial property, for sale and lease, in Nevada County is being listed with the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED).

Floyd Clark, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, told the Nevada County Quorum Court this at its regular monthly meeting on Sept. 12. The reason, he said, is primarily because of Hurricane Katrina.

Its something we need anyway, he said. We need a contact person, building size, asking price and acreage. It can range from a storefront to a mill, a restaurant to a convenience store.

However, he said, no residential property is being sought or will be accepted.

At this time, Clark said, there are 25-30 victims of Katrina in Nevada County. These people are not in any one central place, but are scattered all over the county. All are being assisted.

President George W. Bush, he said, has signed the transportation bill into law, so the overpass project can now begin. The first step will be the design phase, which could take a couple of years. While this is a high priority project by the Arkansas Highway Commission, it is one of 81 such projects. The overpass will happen.

Clark was questioned about who is making payments on the spec building occupied by Prescott Rubber, Inc. (PRI). At this point, Clark said, PRI is making them, but the company is several months behind.

PRI, he said, has made test runs with its mold for Firestone. Once the product is approved by Firestone, PRI can begin production and start hiring people. There are eight machines ready to go when its approved.

We dont want another Funshine, said JP Arval Mason. We dont need another albatross.

There are several factors in PRIs not being in production already, Clark said. Some of the reasons are the companys fault, while others arent. Ive been talking with them regularly telling them they need to get in production.

Mason asked who was financially responsible for the building PRI is in. James Roy Brown, Nevada County Judge, said this issue has nothing to do with the county, but is through the city and industrial development.

On a different topic, Clark said bids have been taken for the walking trail project, and the low part by the creek could be a problem.

The Court went into a brief executive session with no action taken. Brown said it concerned a personnel matter.

A budget committee was formed. Those on the committee are Bob Cummins, Susie Meeks and Myrna Waters. Cummins said all departments need to have their budgets in by the Courts October meeting. That meeting is set for Oct. 10.