LITTLE ROCK—Arkansans Against Abusive Payday Lending (AAAPL) formally announced today that the last payday lender has left Arkansas, declaring victory on behalf of all those victimized by a predatory industry that drowns borrowers in triple-digit interest rate debt.

AAAPL hosted a news conference today near a former payday lending store in Little Rock once operated by First American Cash Advance. First American, the final payday lender to cease operations in Arkansas, closed its last store on July 31. AAAPL released its latest independent research report, which highlights developments over the last year that ultimately culminated in payday lenders leaving the state for good.

August 04, 2009

Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe on August 5 addressed UCA’s 22nd Annual Community Development Institute Central.

Beebe discussed the important relationship between education and economic development as part of the Arkansas Works Summit initiative. CDI hosted the Faulkner County meeting of the Arkansas Works Summit initiative, which is the 15th county meeting to date. Following Beebe was a presentation by Phillip Baldwin, President and CEO of Southern Bancorp, addressed their community development work in Clark and Phillips Counties.

Conway- Tomorrow, Governor Mike Beebe will make a special visit to the ‘22nd Annual Community Development Institute Central’ at UCA to discuss the important relationship between education and economic development as part of building a stronger future for Arkansas.”This is the most exciting year in our 22 year history! We’ve gained tremendous support from our local municipalities and economic developers,” said, Kelly Lyon, Executive Director of CDI Central. She said, “We’re working to revitalize both the summer institute and fully mobilize the state and regional network of community and economic developers.”

Because the City of Arkadelphia saved money by paving 26th Street and parts of Country Club Road and Village Drive with microseal instead of slurry seal, the street department next week will launch a series of repairs on other city streets using hot mix asphalt.

Beginning Monday, the department will seal off Feaster Trail between Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia and Cypress Road in preparation for paving the section of the trail that City Manager Jimmy Bolt said has the most need.

Dr. Wesley Kluck spoke to the Economic Development Subcommittee of the Clark County Strategic Plan Monday about the possibility of bringing broadband Internet to all county residents.

Henderson State University’s Small Business and Technology Development Center, with the support of Southern Bancorp Capital Partners, City of Arkadelphia, Clark County, and Southern Bancorp, will offer a 10-session busniess training program beginning Sept. 3.

Del Boyette of Boyette Strategic Advisors met with the EDCCC Tuesday at Dawson Cooperative, giving the 15 voting members and others present an update on the “blueprints” his economic development firm has advised the county to follow.

Annual disaster drill to be Aug. 29

Extra state funding for fire protection will be shared by the fire departments in St. Francis County after a unanimous vote Wednesday by the mayors in the county.

The mayors also learned of a disaster drill planned for later this month.

Shane Dallas, Emergency Management Coordinator, discussed the extra money, made possible by Act 884, with the mayors. According to Dallas, the Act 884 funding is similar to the Act 833 funding which can be used for the purchase of firefighting equipment.

The Clark County Child Care Center celebrated 100 days of operation Friday, and parents who work odd hours are encouraged to apply for the services. The idea of a child care center came from the Clark County Strategic Plan, and was constructed by Southern Bancorp Community Development Corp. Gov. Mike Beebe was the guest speaker at the ribbon cutting of the facility’s opening, when Danfoss Scroll Technologies presented a $17,000 grant for playground equipment.

ARKADELPHIA—Southern Bancorp recently completed the acquisition of Timberland Bank of El Dorado, a $140 million community bank in south central Arkansas.