Nashville Mayor updates Developing Howard County on the Husqvarna property at meeting
July 25th, the board of Developing Howard County met on the Nashville campus of UA Cossatot for their regular monthly meeting.
Nashville Mayor Larry Dunaway updated the board on some recent developments with the Husqvarna property. According to Dunaway, the property was sold to an investment firm called the Phoenix Investors. As well as the Husqvarna property, Phoenix Investors owns property in Pine Bluff and West Helena.
The Husqvarna property includes a 350,000 square foot warehouse and a 300,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
Nashville Chamber of Commerce director, Tim Pinkerton announced in an email that Husqvarna will be holding a job fair for its employees on August 22 from 10 am to 2 pm. County Judge Brent Pinkerton stated Husqvarna plans to start implementing their layoffs beginning in September.
Rory Gulick of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission stated Howard County has a highly-skilled workforce in place for potential manufacturing companies to utilize.
Board member Charles Smith stated the ‘economic’ ball is rolling and there are several positives things taking place in Howard County.
Developing Howard County held a community meeting in Mineral Springs, but only four citizens attended. Other meeting are being planned for the future in Mineral Springs and other towns and communities in Howard County.
Developing Howard County executive director Vanessa Weeks provided the board members with the latest Arkansas Incentive Tier Map. She pointed out that Howard County is in Tier 2 and is ranked 27th out of Arkansas’ 75 counties. She explained that Arkansas counties are divided into four tiers, with Tier 1 being the most prosperous counties and Tier 4 counties being the least prosperous counties. Weeks said the tiers are determined by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission by ranking four variables. Those variables are poverty rate, population growth, per capita personal income and unemployment rate.
Board member Luis Maya submitted his resignation from the board, due to family and business obligations. He recommended his son, Luis Maya Jr. as his replacement. Following an executive session, board president Paul Britt stated the board will seek recommendation from board members and the five ex officio members for Maya replacement.
