One of Blytheville Mayor James Sanders' objectives this year is to bring in new businesses to the city.
During last week's State of the City address, Sanders pointed out one of the focuses this year will be small business growth and business retention.
More businesses mean more jobs for local residents and an overall improved quality of life. It also means more tax dollars going to improve city services, ranging from streets to parks and recreation.
There's no denying that Blytheville has room for retail growth with opportunities for a variety of companies to corner the market here with their products/services if they so choose.
Blytheville just seems stuck in a chicken and egg situation.
Companies want assurance that they will be able to turn a profit and have the proper customer base. But a lack of retail opportunities is a major reason that Blytheville has been bleeding population and unable to replace those lost residents.
To draw companies, a town must have the population to support them. To draw population, a city must have retail options and other quality of life features.
The sports facilities are here with the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex and Thunder Bayou Golf Links, which was the No. 3 ranked course in the state of Arkansas by Golfweek last year, beating out courses in Fayetteville and Hot Springs. No Jonesboro course cracked the Top 5 list of Golfweek's Best Courses You Can Play.
The Delta Gateway Museum has begun to pick up some momentum and organizations like the Arts Council of Mississippi County have done a pretty good job of bringing quality programs here for residents of all ages to enjoy.
Obviously, more can be done in the way of quality of life, but Blytheville isn't completely bankrupt in that area. Sanders probably has a point when he says Blytheville doesn't market itself as well as it should.
I believe city leaders and the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce both have critical roles in recruiting retailers and making it clear that their potential customers aren't limited to the city limits of Blytheville.
Retailers will draw in folks from Armorel, Gosnell and the Missouri Bootheel as well, maybe even Manila and Osceola.
Go out to the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex any spring or summer night and one will see a customer base for a Chuck E. Cheese or Incredible Pizza.
Some 650 children play baseball and softball in leagues here. Then there are the several youth tournaments that draw in out-of-town teams.
Undoubtedly, those kid-friendly restaurants would do well here. I think Blytheville deserves another shot at a Starbucks too. From what I understand, the previous Starbucks didn't close for a lack of business, but it was a corporate move to shut down a certain number of stores with the newest ones getting the ax.
For that matter, I believe there would be sufficient support for an Applebee's, Cracker Barrel, Fuji or some similar restaurant.
I also think Target, Tractor Supply and some nice clothing stores would do well here.
They would certainly make it easier for area residents to spend their money in Blytheville, rather than Jonesboro, Memphis or Dyersburg. Hopefully, leaders will be able to bring in some new businesses this year.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com