By REVIS BLAYLOCK
NEA Town Courier
Mississippi County Planning and Development Committee approved sending several appropriation requests to the full court at the Thursday meeting.
Justice Michael White opened the meeting welcoming the many guests including Blytheville Mayor James Sanders and Osceola Mayor Sally Longo Wilson.
Justice White turned the floor over to Clif Chitwood, president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation, who recommended several appropriations that should bring more jobs to Mississippi County.
Chitwood said he and members of the ANC College recently visited Chime Solutions, based in Atlanta, Ga., with locations in Dallas and Charleston. He went on to say it is a very successful business, one of the top tier companies. It is owned by Mark Wilson.
Following a discussion on the opportunities Chime Solutions can bring to the county, Chitwood recommended the county approve funds in the amount of $1,991,531 for training and pay while training. The initial training program will consist of 150 people through the program that will be set up at Arkansas Northeastern College. Those who complete the training will have the opportunity to work for the company.
“Mississippi County lost 9,000 jobs in the 1990s and the air base closed,” Chitwood said. “This is another opportunity to put people back to work.”
Training could begin as soon as July. It will consist of eight weeks training for 150 people.
Gene Bennett with ANC spoke about the training and the benefits it can bring to the county.
Several questions were asked by Justices Tobye McClanahan and Cecil McDonald.
Justice McClanahan said she wanted to be informed when she makes a decision. She said she would be interested in attending the GREDF board meetings. She also asked that she be provided information about projects before the committee meetings.
Justice McDonald said he was 100 percent for Chimes Solutions in Mississippi County.
“My family has been in business for 80 years,” McDonald said. “We have to get people making more than minimum wage. Mississippi County has billion dollar industries and the county should not be at the bottom of the pay-scale.”
The training will provide life skills for people.
Judge John Alan Nelson said when good things happen to the local economy, everyone benefits.
“A quote from President John Kennedy comes to mind, ‘when the tides come in, all boats rise,’” Judge Nelson said.
“Gary Tobar brought this project to us,” Chitwood said.
The committee voted unanimously in favor of moving the appropriation to the full court on Tuesday night.
The vote was met with applause from the many in attendance.
The second appropriation request was for the Sierra Group for an expansion that would provide 30 additional jobs. Sierra Group requested help on a $500,000 loan in the amount of $250,000. The additional jobs will pay $18 to $22 per hour.
Following a discussion, the committee voted to move the appropriation to the full court.
The third appropriation for $500,000 from Wheatland Tube, a subsidiary of Atlas Company, which will provide 60 additional jobs at $25 to $32 per hour, was approved to move to the full court.
Chitwood said US Steel has a good understanding of the Work Here Live Here program and has committed $1 million to the foundation for Big River Steel or US Steel employees for 100 new jobs.
Chitwood introduced the new Economic Development Vice President, Mallory Darby, a native of Gosnell.
Chitwood said more industries are looking at Mississippi County with several companies looking at sites.
Judge Nelson said Mississippi County will be hosting representatives from Senator John Boozman and Senator Tom Cotton will be visiting in Mississippi County next week.
“It is flattering for people to want to know what is going on in Mississippi County,” Judge Nelson said.
The Quorum Court will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Osceola Courthouse.