Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Water System Groundbreaking Held

Prescott's new water/sewer system was officially dedicated in groundbreaking ceremonies Thursday, May 15.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor acted as master of ceremonies and introduced the dignitaries on hand.

Sam Spearman, with the Economic Development Administration, based out of Little Rock, said the EDA's purpose is to help small communities, such as Prescott, defray the cost of economic planning and efforts.

Planning for this particular project, he said, began in Dec. 1993. Representatives with the EDA talked with local leaders on what was most needed in Prescott and what the city needed to do to make sure the project was fully developed.

The first step was annexing the area into the city limits. Next came finding other funding sources.

Spearman said it helped when Prescott hired an economic development officer in Gene Monk, who got the ball rolling and found a business (Rip Griffin's Truck/Travel Center) to locate in the area.

Once these steps were completed, the EDA was able to accept Prescott's application and received $620,000 in grant monies. This includes a 10 percent bonus of $98,600 because the city is also a member of the Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District.

"There's a lot of demand for this money in five states," he said. "Timing was critical for this project.

"Congressman Jay Dickey, Sen. Dale Bumpers and Sen. David Pryor represented you well. They pushed to see this project funded during fiscal year 1995, before the budget problems. They worked hard for you."

Dave Culbertson, EDA regional director based in Austin, Texas, said his department became involved in the project after the hard work was done. The hard work, he said, was getting the engineering and designing of the project done.

"I've got the money," he said. "People like seeing me coming.

"We do all types of EDA projects in a five state area," Culbertson said, "but my favorite projects are water and sewer. These are the basic building sources of all economic development."

The EDA, he continued, doesn't do "bad" projects, but the difference in good and bad projects, Culbertson said, lies with local leadership. "That's the key."

State Sen. Mike Ross followed saying he was on hand as a fellow citizen celebrating the progress of Prescott.

He said for years people have been wondering why development hasn't been done in the area of the interstate. The drawback, he said, was infrastructure.

There was no water and sewer service to the I-30 area until now, he said.

This project, Ross said, will create jobs in Prescott and Nevada County. "I'm excited about the great things that lie ahead for Prescott with this project.

"As Senator, I see people working against each other. This project shows people can work together on local, state and federal levels the way it should be done."

State Rep. Percy Malone was on hand to praise Prescott for the accomplishment as well. "I like sharing in events like this in Nevada County," he said.

He said similar projects have been done in Clark County, which show people pulling themselves up.

"It takes people working together," he said, "and I see that here. You're doing great things and I congratulate you on the work you've done."

James Rice, an engineer with NRS, the company that designed the project, also congratulated Prescott for its foresight and hard work.

"It's good to see communities do this," he said. "This is the culmination of the dreams of many here today."

Projects like this, he said, help those young people growing up in Prescott stay in Prescott after they complete their education.

The Arkansas Industrial Development Commission was represented by Cathy Limpard, who told those on hand this project would not have been possible without the governor and general assembly's assistance.

"The people of Prescott are to be praised," she said.

Judy Davis, also with the AIDC, said the groundbreaking was a celebration for the city and county.

"It's hard for people to see water and sewer lines underground," she said. Jobs will be created because of this project, and from these other jobs will spin off.

Additionally, there will be more water pressure, which will help improve the cost of fire protection.

According to a release from the Nevada County Economic Development Office, the City of Prescott annexed about 1,000 acres into its corporate limits earlier this year between downtown and south of exits 44 and 46 on I-30.

Jim Sharkey, executive director of the NCEDO said plans are to eventually dedicate certain tracts in the area for sale to industrial and commercial prospects, which will create future jobs. The rest will remain dedicated for residential development.