Winter Wonderland set at King Center
The Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department will host the Winter Wonderland from 2-6 p.m. today at the Coretta Scott King Center, 624 Kiwanis Drive.
“We’ve adjusted the time to make this magical event even more accessible for everyone in the community,: according to a notice on the mayor’s Facebook page. “Join us for a festive day filled with holiday cheer, activities, and memories waiting to be made. Bundle up, bring your loved ones, and let’s celebrate the season together.”
Giveaway to honor Bobby Rush
First Ward Living Grace Pantry, 1201 Commerce Road, will host the Bobby Rush Christmas Giveaway from 2-4 p.m. today.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
There will be toys for kids, food and more on a first come first served basis. The community is invited to attend, according to a news release.
Watson Chapel to give away food baskets
Watson Chapel School District will hold a food basket giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at the Watson Chapel Junior High School parking lot.
Baskets will contain meat, sides and canned goods and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to families in the community, according to a flier on the district’s Facebook page. People can drive up, open the trunk and volunteers will load the food in the vehicle.
“Special thanks to Delta Network Foodbank,” the flier said.
City Hall announces holiday closing
While Jefferson County offices will be closed from Dec. 23 through Dec. 27, the city of Pine Bluff will adhere to its approved holiday schedule, closing Dec. 23-25, to continue serving the community effectively. City offices will remain open Dec. 26 and Dec. 27.
Staff will be available to assist with inquiries and provide support as needed, according to a news release.
City offices will be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in observance of the New Year’s Holiday. Details: Mayor’s Office, (870) 730-2004 or mproctor@cityofpinebluff-ar.gov.
13 sites split $10 million for development
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Dec. 11 to award 13 communities with $10 million through the Arkansas Site Development Program. Southeast Arkansas sites are included.
This funding will be used to enhance industrial sites across Arkansas, increasing their readiness for job-creating economic development projects.
“The sky is the limit for Arkansas’ economy when our government and private sector work together to grow investment and jobs,” said Sanders. “The Arkansas Site Development Program tells companies worldwide that Arkansas is open for business and will help each of the recipient communities attract new businesses.”
AEDC developed and announced the Arkansas Site Development Program in June. Eligible recipient locations are industrial sites of at least 30 contiguous acres of land, listed on the Arkansas Site Selection Database, and owned or optioned by the applicant, according to a news release.
AEDC received 28 applications for the Arkansas Site Development Program, totaling $44,646,370.37 in requested funding.
The funds can be used for a range of site development projects, including the extension and improvement of public infrastructure to the site; right of way acquisition; easement acquisition; soil borings and analysis; construction costs for site improvements, including drainage improvements, easement, dozer or dirt work, grading, site mitigation, and site rehabilitation; due diligence study costs; and other site development-related activities deemed necessary by AEDC to improve a site’s competitiveness.
The Arkansas Site Development Program recipients were:
Southeast Arkansas Regional Intermodal Facility Authority – Monticello, $166,520
Stuttgart Industrial Development Corp. – Stuttgart, $823,408
AR-TX Regional Economic Development Inc. – Texarkana, $2,00,000
Berryville Business Park – Berryville, $400,000
City of Prescott – Prescott, $698,845
Conway County Economic Development Corporation — Morrilton, $109,800
Economic Development Corporation of Clark County – Arkadelphia, $1,013,710
Forward Searcy Inc. – Searcy, $314,165
Hempstead County Economic Development Commission – Hope, $4,602
Hot Spring County – Malvern, $133,250
Jonesboro Unlimited – Jonesboro, $2,000,000
Little Rock Port Authority – Little Rock, $2,000,000
Newport Economic Development Commission – Newport, $335,700.