Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Taylor Touts Prescott Plans For 1999

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor expects 1999 to be a good year for the area.

From the beginning of his first term, Taylor said, the goal has been to improve the economy and tax bracket, and still is.

There are three main things he will be working on this year developing the industrial park, getting re-certified under the Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE) program and work toward some kind of Main Street designation.

However, he said, Prescott may not officially be involved in the Main Street program, and could likely do something similar on its own.

A grant for the TEA-21 program has been obtained for the beautification of the industrial park along Ron Harrod Drive.

Taylor said the archeological study has been done and nothing of historic value will be disturbed by the improvements planned.

In addition, plans are being drawn up by NRS Engineering for the entranceway of the industrial park.

Once these plans are further along, the city will look at the possibility of building a 50,000 square foot spec building to help attract new industry to the area.

Being re-certified for the ACE program, he said, is another important step for improving economic development in the community.

Part of re-certifying for ACE will including working with existing business and industry with any plans it may have for expansion.

In addition, he said, efforts to recruit new industry will continue.

Other plans include working to upgrade education, especially in the area of work force development, the Partnership and trying to do something to improve the housing situation in the area.

The lack of housing, Taylor said, is a problem all over this part of the state, and no one is building middle-income spec houses at this time.

But, he said, committees will be formed to address these specific issues, and work toward finding a solution for them.

Last year, he said, was a good year for Prescott and Nevada County.

Luvs convenience store began construction near exit 46 on Interstate 30, and should be completed sometime this year. This is an Oklahoma-based company with 730 stores in seven states.

Additionally, representatives from Rip Griffins Truck and Travel Center continue saying the company will build a new store at exit 44. According to Taylor, construction on this project should begin sometime early in 1999.

Rip Griffins will cover a 25-acre site and be the biggest construction job Nevada County has seen in a while. The parking lot will have space for 200 trucks along with 130 passenger-type vehicles.

The building will cover some 40,000 square feet, with about 1,000 vehicles being anticipated to stop on a daily basis, generating an estimated $15 million in sales annually.

The center should have 125 or more people working, as it is a seven-day-a-week, 24- hour-a-day operation.

Another project being developed is the Gifford-Hill gravel business. The company bought 832 acres in the Boughton community for its gravel operation. It is one of the largest such companies in the nation, and the largest in the south.

Next on the list, Taylor said, will be the Prescott Rural Water Project. This project has already been approved and should be fully funded by 2000.

Once the funding is in place, he said, the city can begin getting signatures from prospective customers.

Street improvements are one of the city's biggest needs, he said. At this time, he is waiting to see what the Arkansas General Assembly will do with a bill to increase turnback funds to municipalities.

Should the bill pass, he said, it will mean more money for cities to do what they need. In Prescott this will mean street repair.

However, should the bill fail, Taylor said, a millage with a sunset clause could be sought. The sunset clause would be added so the millage would have a specific ending time and date.

Other needs the city has, he said, are to get several unsightly buildings condemned and razed. At this time, five have been approved for demolition, with more possible.

The issue of animal control will also be addressed during 1999, he said. At this time, the costs of such a program are being examined.

In Gurdon, Taylor pointed out, the residents passed a tax to fund an animal control program.

Another issue the city will address during 1999 will be annexing the area to include exit 46 into the city limits. This area will be a mile long, taking in 1,000 feet on each side of Highway 19.

Taylor said the annexation would add to the city's tax base and could lead to the addition of new businesses to the region.