Ed Bee’s role in Clark County’s Strategic Planning Committee is simple, yet complex. Bee and his company, Taimerica, were hired by the committee to serve as the facilitator of a strategic development plan, but that title isn’t always accurate, Bee said.

This was last fall at Helena’s almost-famous KIPP charter school, officially styled Delta College Preparatory. The occasion? A school-wide assembly to celebrate yet another honor and award. Scott Shirey, founding principal and guiding light at Delta College Prep, was getting a big check.

Although the next city-wide cleanup project has been set for Sept. 9, work has already begun at several sites around town, and Don
Clark said he’s pleased.

The U.S. ethanol industry is booming, and enthusiasm for the renewable fuel is spreading beyond the Corn Belt.

The strategic planning process can move forward; Taimerica Management Co. has been chosen, at a meeting on Tuesday, as the facilitator for Clark County’s Strategic Development Plan.

Imagine affordable housing in Helena-West Helena. Imagine fewer and fewer people in the so-called “slums.” Imagine a place where families can meet, learn about computers, the Internet and have the room to host birthday parties for their children. Now imagine all of these things in one location.

The finishing touches on the new bay built at Arkadelphia’s fire station #2 are near completion, but there’s one catch – the truck for which the bay was built won’t fit.

An Arkadelphia resident was recently cited for his contribution to the business world, but Paul Sheffield Jr. prefers to concentrate his energy on the community in which he lives.

Dilapidated building and structures may soon be a thing of the past in Arkadelphia, thanks to a grant from Southern Bancorp. Arkadelphia’s Board of Directors is expected to discuss a list of properties in need of attention during its meeting Thursday night.

This is the last of a three-part series on the strengths, needs and solutions regarding the growth of Arkadelphia and Clark County. This report was compiled. researched and written by students in the Advanced Reporting class at Ouachita Baptist University.

As far as solutions to the needs of the Arkadelphia area concerning growth, a survey revealed widespread interest in creating more jobs and industrial growth, developing and maintaining a…