Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

By Jeremy Langley

The Clark County Strategic Plan is one that applies to all of Clark County  even Gurdon, said Billy Tarpley, director of development at Henderson State University and resident of Gurdon.

Tarpley spoke to the members of the Gurdon Rotary Club during its meeting on Thursday, March 1, and discussed various points which have been compiled into a priority list for Clark County. The CCSP subcommittees are meeting to help develop the final plan which will be voted on this summer.

Its down to the final moans and groans, he said of the plan. Everything is back in the hands of the subcommittees.

Tarpley said it is easy for many residents to Gurdon to think of the strategic plan as one that will benefit only Arkadelphia.

Weve all see county efforts come and go, he said. Often they dont become a county effort. They become an Arkadelphia effort.

This plan is different. In the list of priorities compiled by the group, only five of the 25 listed pertain directly to Arkadelphia.

On the list, the need for shopping and entertainment outlets was at the top. Tarpley said it is crucial that the county develop some type of solution to this problem because $44 million in retail leakage from Clark County makes it to Hot Springs each year.

People go to Hot Springs because there are things to do in Hot Springs, he said.

One of the items listed on the survey is the need for local incentives for businesses. He said local governments need to be able to offer companies money to come into their area. Although it may sound like bribery, he said its business.

Another priority is to have downtown storefronts occupied by businesses.

That applies in Arkadelphia, and that applies just down the street here, he said.

Tarpley said success can be found if citizens will work together to implement the plan.

We all know we need a shot in the arm, he said. Its not whether or not we can do it. Its whether or not were willing to do it.

Several other priorities were addressed during the meeting including the need for a better trained workforce, the need for subdivisions to increase the amount of available housing and the need for medical care in Gurdon.

It applies to us, Tarpley told the Rotarians. Theres a lot for us here in Gurdon if were willing to get in on it and work.