Manila mayor addresses chamber luncheon

By JOSEPH FONDREN

NEA Town Courier

Contributor

The Shop: A Hair and Makeup Bar was awarded 2024 First Quarter Small Business award. Accepting the award from Katie Thomason was The Shop’s owner Erin Sanchez. 

BLYTHEVILLE— The Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce held their monthly luncheon Monday afternoon at the Holiday Inn Banquet Room where 65 community members were in attendance to hear Manila Mayor Tracey Reinhart speak.

Reinhart explained the city of Manila is the third largest city in Mississippi County behind the cities of Blytheville and Osceola, respectively.

Reinhart stated the city is growing and the growth is due to Mississippi County.

“One thing that I do realize is that what is going on in Manila right now is because of the county,” said Reinhart. “Because of what is going on in Blytheville. What’s going on in Osceola. What’s going on all over our county. Lot’s of effort being put in by county members, county bankers and business people.”

According to Reinhart, the city of Manila will grow “one and a half to two times the size” they are currently.

In Manila, Reinhart stated there are “350 or so” lots that are being prepared to build more homes; which will help the population of Mississippi County and Manila grow.

With the growth, Reinhart explained the community is focusing on quality of life for citizens in Manila and he claimed the city is doing a “pretty good job, so far”.

Reinhart drew on his knowledge as a former manager of the Farmer’s Market in Manila and stated supporting local communities in Mississippi County to help the city and county grow.

“It helps if you remember those people. Those people are the ones whenever you need $100 for the ball shirts for your little t-ball team or something like that, you always turn to those folks,” Reinhart explained. “They have to make that money to give that money.”

Reinhart added since serving on the Manila School Board in the last 17 years, they have replaced “nearly every school” and the school district has “nice facilities”.

With the DENSO closure announcement, Reinhart stated the cities in Mississippi County will have to “figure out a way” to keep citizens and factory employees to stay and live in Mississippi County.

Some projects underway in Manila currently are a nursing home that will have 82 beds and an expansion project for Southworth.

Reinhart thanked the Chamber for allowing the city of Manila to work with the Mississippi County Regional Chamber.

“We are very blessed, I think, that the Chamber has invited us in,” Reinhart explained. “I think that we got some people over there that are doing some good work, and I think the Chamber is really going to help us out.”

Reinhart told the Town Courier that the city of Manila being a part of and recognized by the Chamber is “huge”. He added the change of Manila being a member of the Chamber of Commerce is a “good thing”.

Liz Smith, Executive Director of the Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce, informed the attendees that April’s monthly meeting will be the annual banquet. This year’s title is “Chamberitville”. Tickets are currently available online or can be bought from board members or at the Chamber.

Smith mentioned the next chamber luncheon will be held on May 20.

Seth Holifield, the 2024 Chamber President, announced that the 2024 First Quarter were presented to The Shop- A Hair & Makeup Bar for small business and Primetals for large business.