Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Disaster Could Be Good For County

Normally, people don't think of disasters as good things.

However, in the case of the Clark County Industrial Council, this is different.

Brown Hardman, president of the CCIC, said, at the group's regular monthly meeting Thursday, March 20, he wouldn't trade one of the lives lost for this opportunity, but, "We have the greatest opportunity in the existence of Arkadelphia," he said. "We couldn't spend $10 million in advertising and be where we are."

The reports of how Arkadelphia and Clark County are responding after the March 1 tornadoes, which destroyed about one-third of the city and killed six people, have all been positive, he said, with the exception of the deaths.

Hardman said the CCIC, along with the city and county governments, need to take advantage of this situation in looking at how to rebuild.

Jim McAllister, Arkadelphia mayor, said he has met with the Federal Emergency Management Agency concerning rebuilding. As soon as FEMA approves, the city and its task force will hire the firm of Woodward and Clyde to begin reconstruction efforts.

He said this is a management umbrella for planning and reconstruction, and the city plans on pulling out all the stops. In 60 days, he said, the city can have a comprehensive plan in place.

In the meantime, though, officials are working to decide how best to rebuild the city.

One problem is, according to McAllister, people are wanting to start rebuilding now so they can become functional again and start making a living again.

"We need to put a stop to things and develop a plan," he said, "and have everything done according to the plan. There's too much conflict now."

At this time, people are moving mobile homes onto the property where their homes used to be in an effort to bring some normality back into their lives.

But, as McAllister said, the area will have grants and other resources available for rebuilding, with plenty of money being brought to the table in the forms of grants and low-interest loans.

"We're trying to put everything under one umbrella," he said, "with the maximum effort to get the most from our money."

Hollywood is even getting into the act. Representatives from the Disney Corporation, along with Arkansas natives Harry and Linda Bloodworth Thomason, have offered their services in helping design a new downtown Arkadelphia.

In addition, the University of Arkansas has offered to help with the design plans as well.

McAllister said once State Rep. Percy Malone and the task force agree on a plan, FEMA will be notified to come up with the funds to put the plan into action.

"We'll need a lot of code enforcement people," McAllister said. "FEMA is flying in a group of inspectors for us to help with the recovery while we get our planners and code officers on staff for the long term."

In other business, Fred Lynch said there are currently 252 members in the CCIC, as the effort has slowed down. He said the drive will not officially conclude until there are 500 members in the group, and asked for volunteers.

Lynch told the CCIC 300 businesses in the city and county have not been contacted to become members yet, and many have expressed an interest in joining the group.

Hardman said all the deeds, but one, are in hand for the I-30 access road. The recent rains and tornado, he said, have slowed the project down, but as soon as it dries out, construction will begin.