Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Moffitt Promises Improvement

Mark Moffitt made some promises Thursday, Feb. 1.

Promises, he said, that will benefit everyone in Clark County.

Moffitt, the new executive director of the Clark County Industrial Council, made these promises to members of Gurdon's Rotary Club.

He vowed to work hard in the recruitment of new industries and businesses to the region, and show prospects why they should locate in Clark County.

"The people know the importance of industrial recruitment," he told the Rotarians. "We've got to have jobs to better ourselves."

Moffitt said he will work hard with existing industries as well, because this is the most important part of Clark County. In addition, the expansion of existing industries is where the majority of new jobs comes from.

"We want them (existing industry) involved with communities," Moffitt said. "They've never been asked (to participate)."

In addition, he said there will soon be a full court recruitment effort from the CCIC. There has not been a recruiting effort by the council since 1993, and the membership has remained basically the same.

The membership drive, however, will not just be a fund raiser for the organization. Moffitt said people are needed to give their feedback and ideas.

"The CCIC is for the people," he said. "We want as many people in it as we can get. If we have a dialogue, we can complete projects."

Moffitt has set a high goal for the CCIC's membership. He wants 500 members by the middle of this year.

He said Clark County's efforts have placed it far above other areas in the state, with the exception of Northwest Arkansas, which has seen unbelievable economic growth in recent years. He attributes Clark County's growth to the efforts of Percy Malone, former CCIC president, and Flave Carpenter, who Moffitt replaced.

"Clark County is well respected," he said. "We know how to treat business and industry, and the people support the CCIC. We also have the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission's support."

According to Moffitt, 75 percent of companies locating in Arkansas come through the AIDC. Others come through utility companies such as Arkla Gas and Arkansas Power and Light Co.

He praised Gurdon, in particular, for being an Arkansas Community of Excellence, or ACE community. Moffitt said this is the most prestigious award a community can receive from the AIDC, as it shows the efforts the area puts forth in making it attractive for business and industry.

"The AIDC has about 70 communities trying to get ACE certified," Moffitt said, "and to have two ACE communities in one county is unheard of." Arkadelphia is also an ACE community.

Moffitt said the way this was achieved was with the people working with the AIDC and CCIC to get it.

"The AIDC shuttles prospects to ACE areas first," he said.

Moffitt also pledged to keep the people informed a to what the CCIC is doing. He said the organization will work with the media and hold monthly meetings to keep its message before the public.

In addition, he plans to visit with members of the AIDC on a weekly basis to help keep Clark County foremost in their mind when an industrial prospect shows interest in the state.

And, what is becoming one of the most important recruitment tools is also being used by the CCIC. Moffitt said the group has a web page on the internet. This means prospects can check the area out, see if it has what they want and then make a call if they are interested.

This, he said, means those who call after browsing the net, will be more serious than others may be.

Touching on other topics with the CCIC, Moffitt told the Rotarians Polycarbon plans to have product leaving its doors by May 1, 1996.

He continued, saying Bowater has renewed its option on land for a potential paper mill, and Rohr Industries should let their plans be known either in late February or early March as to whether they will locate in the county or not.

"I think they want to come," he said. "We're still in touch."

However, he said with the interest being shown in Clark County, the CCIC needs people in the council; people who are interested and will work with prospects to help sell the region.

In fact, Moffitt said it's the people who help sell an area to prospects. Companies sent representatives to areas they are interested in. These representatives talk to the residents and get a feel of the region.

From there, the reps return to their home office and give their report. If the people are excited about where they live, it means a better chance of attracting business and industry.