Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Industries Need Workers

Clark County's existing industry needs housing for its management and workers, a good pool of labor to pull from and ways to motivate its workers.

This was the results of a survey done by the Clark County Industrial Council's existing industry committee. Mike McFarland, committee chairman, presented the findings Thursday, Nov. 20, at the group's monthly meeting.

The committee, McFarland said, cobbled its survey questions from one used by Teamwork Arkansas, formatting that one to fit the CCIC survey needs.

One of the most positive results the survey turned up is many existing industries are planning to expand in the near future. Of the 23 industries returning the forms, 14 reported they were interested in expanding, while five have no such plans and four made no comment.

The industries were also asked to rate the quality of life in Clark County. Some 74 percent rated education in the area high, as was recreation and churches. City and county government ranked average by the industries, while housing was panned.

Those responding to the survey said these areas could use some improvement as well. Housing improvement and availability was one of the main concerns from the industries surveyed.

The survey also had a question dealing with the addition of workers for the next five years in skilled and unskilled labor positions.

The response showed industries are looking to add 152 jobs in 1998, with 37 percent being skilled and 51 percent requiring unskilled workers. The stats for 1999 show another 75 positions being added, with 62 percent anticipating the needs of skilled labor, while 34 percent will need unskilled personnel. For the year 2000, another 99 jobs are anticipated being created. Of these, 45 percent will be for skilled workers, while 48 percent will be unskilled.

As the millennium changes with the coming of 2001, some 68 jobs are expected to be created by local industries. Of the jobs added, 66 percent are expected to need skilled people, while 30 percent will be filled by unskilled workers.

Training workers is also an important issue for industry in Clark County. From the 23 industries responding to the survey, 17 percent stated they used the state's training program.

Another 44 percent reported off-plant site training was adequate. The overall average of the survey showed the programs were best suited in dealing with unskilled workers, safety concerns and welding and machinery.

Fifteen of the companies responding stated their productivity could be improved through more training for their workers. Seven said it couldn't and one company didn't answer the question.

The industries were also questioned about what they like the least concerning their current location. The findings showed most were unsatisfied with the size of their buildings, flooding problems, soil problems, modernization of the structures and the chip and seal of the county roads.

An area which could be of concern to the county is 11 of the 23 industries questioned said they would consider relocating their facilities if they expanded or diversified. Nine said they wouldn't and three didn't respond.

Barriers for industries, according to the survey findings, include financial limitations, lack of an available labor force and the lack of adequate child facilities.

Solutions offered were to increase the availability of housing in the area, increase the infrastructure, have more to offer in the areas of dining, shopping, while increasing the level of education for the people.

Twelve of the responding industries stated transportation facilities are currently adequate, while nine disagreed. Rail service was found to be inadequate, while trucking was found to be unavailable and unfeasible by some.

Banking facilities, however, were overwhelmingly found to be good. Some 19 industries said the existing financial institutes met their needs, while two said they didn't. Two others didn't answer the question.

The survey also showed industries would like the state to reduce taxes, approve permits in a more timely manner and reduce regulations.

The county government, according to the survey, needs to explain the tax structure better, improve the roads and settle the courthouse issue.

The city government, the findings showed, needs to be more knowledgeable in reference to federal government requirements.

The survey showed the CCIC needs to broaden its horizons by interacting more with small business owners, possibly do a wage survey along with a personnel survey. The CCIC also needs to be more involved with seeing training programs established, while continuing to emphasize existing industries as compared to new industries.

The Clark County Chamber of Commerce was said to be a good organization, though not always responsive.

Downtown parking was also said to be a headache and needing to be addressed. It was suggested the two-hour parking be enforced or have the signs removed. Alley ways need to be cleared, while more affordable housing needs to be constructed.

Another issue was to expand the existing labor force, while providing more vocational training and improving the parks and recreational system for young people.

McFarland said the existing industry committee is planning motivational seminars for industry personnel, with the CCIC's executive secretary, Karen Jester, setting up human resource meetings with businesses.

Presentations on security and energy management are also planned.

In other business, Jerry Wilson told the commission about Dale Carnegie courses being established to help the area's business people.

He said these will be 90 minute business improvement workshops to help the business community address its needs.

Wilson said these sessions will help work on motivation for those attending.

CCIC President, Brown Hardman, said the access road for the satellite industrial park near Interstate 30 is coming along.

The area got some much needed rain which will allow the project to move along. Currently, he said, a stop order has been issued due to the ground being wet, but will be rescinded once it dries out.

The final order of business was a talk about the CCIC membership drive. Last year's goal was to get 500 as members of the organization, while only 325 became members. Hardman said the membership committee will work to get the membership up to 500 businesses, industries and individuals in 1998.