Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

CCIC Trying To Keep Costs Down

Keeping expenses down is vital for the Clark County Industrial Council.

According to CCIC President, Brown Hardman, the CCIC's operating budget for 1998 is $85,000. Little of this money will be used for travel, as the CCIC will be concentrating on being of more service to existing industries.

The '98 budget shows $20,000 for salaries, though some $4,000 has been set aside for possible raises.

The promotion portion of the budget is expected to be $12,500, while advertising has $5,000 to spend. Expenses for the Clark County Industrial Park are anticipated at $6,000, while office expenses are expected to be $25,000.

The budget shows $1,000 for dues and subscriptions, while legal and accounting fees has a budget of $3,500 for the year. Some $1,500 has been set aside for payroll taxes, with insurance and banquet fees set at $1,000 each.

Miscellaneous expenses are anticipated at $8,500, rounding out the total budget of $85,000.

Projected income for the CCIC, according to the budget, shows $25,000 from local banks, $20,000 from the City of Arkadelphia, another $20,000 from the Clark County Quorum Court and $1,000 from the annual banquet. The membership drive is expected to bring in another $10,000.

Notes on the budget show the salary expense to be for the executive secretary and outside consulting, while the promotion portion of the budget is for travel, motels, meals, entertainment, trade shows and brochures.

Expenses for the industrial park include lighting, mowing, taxes and general cleaning up of the grounds.

The miscellaneous expenses include paying for an environmental study, something many companies require before considering an area, along with engineering and attorney fees.

In past years, the CCIC's operating budget was more than $100,000, but this was because the entity had an executive director. the After the tornadoes of March 1, 1997, the CCIC agreed to do away with this position, thereby saving the director's salary and cutting it out of the budget altogether.

Hardman said the new business park, currently under construction near Interstate 30, should be an asset for the recruitment of new industries. He said several businesses have already made inquiries as to when it will be opened and spaces available.

"I'm still expecting a boon in Clark County," Hardman said.