Area leaders hope for job growth, civility in 2012

Jobs, regional progress and civility top the 2012 wish list for several area business and civic leaders.

The City Wire recently asked area private and public officials to note their hopes for the Fort Smith region in 2012, and to comment on the happenings of 2011.

Whirlpool’s planned closure of its Fort Smith manufacturing plant in 2012 certainly is cause for hope of a better economic future in 2012. Also, the Fort Smith metro area has suffered a 19.76% decline in manufacturing jobs in the past five years, and an overall job decline of 7.84% in the past five years.

The political debate over a 1% prepared food tax created several rounds of divisive debate in Fort Smith, and included the infamous “belly bump” incident.

Following are some of the responses received by The City Wire.

• Doug Babb, CEO, Cooper Clinic
I’m really excited about 2012! The new addition and renovation of the Boreham Library at UAFS will be completed, and the U.S. Marshal’s Museum will launch state wide and National fundraising campaigns. The Bass Reeves statue will be unveiled this Spring, and Cooper Clinic will be adding 6 more physicians. 2012 should be a year of progress for our community.

• Dr. Paul Beran, chancellor, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith
While this past year has been tough for people due to the economy, UAFS has continued to graduate increasing numbers of graduates and many of those graduates are finding jobs in western Arkansas or in other parts of the state. The increasing number of graduates bodes well for Arkansas now and in the future.

If I were to wish for 2012 I would wish that cooperation among public and private interests in our region can continue to find new ways to cooperate and create new synergy for the Greater Fort Smith area.

I would also wish for greater civility and respect for each other, especially in public forums.

• Dr. Jo Blondin, chancellor, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus
Progress was made in 2011 with the formation and organization of the Fort Smith Regional Alliance. I look forward to continued collaboration in 2012.

• Mike Callan, president, Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp.
Jobs, both creation of new and retention of existing, must be the focus of 2012.  Fort Smith and the surrounding region possess the resources necessary to attract new business/industry as well as support existing. We are blessed with  a good (and improving) transportation infrastructure, a more than adequate water supply, low energy costs, available land and, most importantly, a trained and trainable workforce. What we need is a business atmosphere which encourages investment, not one which creates uncertainty. Too many today foster a hostile environment by being against all government, all corporations, all fossil fuels, all immigrants, etc. Instead, let’s support responsible government, responsible corporations, responsible development and use of fossil fuels, responsible immigration policy. In other words, let’s support moderation and abandon the all-or-nothing mentality which permeates today’s discussions. We’ve got a lot to offer here in Fort Smith. Let’s act like it.

• Ron Embree, owner/operator, River Bend Industries
My hope for 2012, that we, as a country, realize the importance of manufacturing to our society and our success. With some regulatory changes and small tax code reforms the United States can become more than just competitive in manufacturing. If that were to occur the Fort Smith region would have a strong opportunity because of the resources and people. It is in the area of manufacturing that we can provide the most job growth and the best opportunity to provide success and security.

• Jim Dunn, president and CEO, U.S. Marshals Museum
Fort Smith is at a crucial stage of its history. With major challenges ahead, such as saving the 188th, replacing jobs lost to the Whirlpool closure, Mitsubishi’s progress being slowed, and the deaths of business and civic leaders, Fort Smith must put aside the controversy of the past year and focus on the future. We have enormous potential with the development at Chaffee Crossing, a strong transportation system, the emerging regional intermodal authority and much more. The U.S. Marshals Museum should continue to make great strides as it moves into its state campaign and as it develops its already outstanding educational programming.

• Ray Gosack, Fort Smith City Administrator
A Congress and White House who will work together for the American people rather than work against each other for their own political fortunes.

A proposal for private investment on the riverfront to stimulate development of that untapped asset. The city will be designing and constructing the water and sewer infrastructure in 2012 to support riverfront development.

A secured funding source for completing construction of I-49 between Highways 71 and 22. AHTD has identified funding for all phases of the work on this segment except for paving.

Planning for a public intermodal freight facility along the Arkansas River. This and the I-49 project have the potential to significantly expand a large industry – shipping – in our region.

Voter approval of sales tax elections for a new fire station at Chaffee Crossing, water system transmission line and storage improvements, wet weather sanitary sewer work, and an aquatic center at Ben Geren Park. These investments will enhance public safety, address infrastructure needed to support growth and protect the environment, and improve Fort Smith’s quality of place.

A continued presence of A-10’s at the 188th Fighter Wing.

New business(es) to employ the highly-skilled and motivated Whirlpool workforce and acquire the Whirlpool plant property.

A hope that more citizens will become engaged in their governance at all levels.
Citizens and public officials need to become more connected so that government follows the needs and the will of the public.

• Claude Legris, executive director, Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau
There’s actually a long list of items we’re hopeful about for 2012 for our region from a tourism point of view including:
Enthusiasm and hope for the success of the Fort Smith Movie Lounge as the first of its kind in Arkansas and featuring a world class Chef.

Excitement about the arrival of the Bass Reeves statue in Pendergraft Park which will help draw attention to our frontier heritage and the legacy of Bass Reeves the PERSON.

We hope to see new ball fields and an aquatics park in the near future to serve our residents and attract visitors.

We’re hopeful  about efforts to “bundle” tourist attractions through partnerships with Crystal Bridges to the North, Oklahoma City and Tulsa to the West, and with the Choctaw and Cherokee nations and Sequoyah and LaFlore Counties. Some of these relationships are made possible through our work with the Fort Smith Regional Alliance.

We’re also hopeful about all the new and expanded 2012 convention and event business bringing people to our city next year (an expanded scheduled of Jehovah’s Witness events, United Methodist Church, State PTA, Southern Bowling Congress, continuation of Festival on the Border, etc.)

From a Convention Center point of view:
We’re hopeful that with the hiring of an experienced Chief Operating Officer and more independence and flexibility in the operation of the Center we will see:
Identification of efficiencies to the financial benefit of the complex and economic impact on the City;
Solidifying of relationships with concert promoters resulting in more entertainment options;
Better coordinated marketing efforts to bring out of town attendees in the future; and,
Improved communication about the financial value to the City through the success of the Convention Center.

• Kevin Moran, executive director, Sparks PremierCare
2011 for the River Valley Region was a difficult year for us. There were many issues that attempted to divide us however, I believe that by year’s end we have come together and are a stronger community. 2012 will present us with new challenges and opportunities for community and economic development. I also believe there will be a transition in our elected leaders that represent us in the State Legislature. This will give us a stronger voice in state government and allow us to have increased access to economic development activities of the AEDC and Governor’s office. The Mayor, City Directors, Chamber of Commerce, and our Regional Partners are united in the drive to bring economic development and jobs to the Fort Smith Region.

From a healthcare perspective, I believe that we will continue to expand the services that are provided to residents of the Fort Smith Region. I know the leadership team at Sparks Regional Medical Center is committed to ensuring that access to quality care and high patient satisfaction is a top priority. I also believe that we have a strong independent Provider community that is committed to ensuring that we access to quality healthcare. Over the past two years, the healthcare industry has been one of the few bright spots in our national and local economies. I believe from a regional perspective this will continue and is a driver for economic development in other sectors of our regional economy. I believe the Fort Smith Region has a strong advantage over other communities when we are considered by any company that is expanding their current operations or relocating because of our strong Independent Provider Network and Sparks Integrated Health System.

I believe that we need to do a better job of working with existing businesses and industries in the Fort Smith Region to help them expand and create additional jobs. These businesses have been dealing with tough economic conditions and have been unsure of what has or will come next from our Federal government and additional regulatory burdens. Despite these obstacles, many businesses and entrepreneurs have committed to staying in the Fort Smith Region and I believe we can do more for them as individuals and a community.

I hope that more residents of the Fort Smith Region will get involved in helping to create the opportunities and change we need to ensure our community continues to grow and prosper. I think too many people believe they can require others to solve their problems or improve their economic lot in life. All of us must take personal responsibility for our own economic successes and failures. When more people in the Fort Smith Region decide to take action and own their choices, we will have community and economic development that is second to none.

I believe 2012 is going to be an amazing year for the Fort Smith Region!

• Ivy Owen, executive director, Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority
My hopes for Fort Smith for 2012 include: finding a suitable industry to take over the Whirlpool building if it becomes vacant; to continue to do our part in creating jobs at Chaffee Crossing by encouraging EXISTING companies to expand here in Fort Smith.  This also applies here at Chaffee Crossing-I fully support the creation of a Fort Smith Business Retention and Expansion program and we are pursuing one here at Chaffee Crossing on a much smaller scale; my hopes for 2012 include the beginning of production in the new Mitsubishi Power Systems facility here as well; I  want to see our port facilities expanded including the dredging of the 12 foot channel; increased rail business here at Chaffee Crossing are also in my plans by virtue of building a MULTI-PURPOSE TRANSLOADING FACILITY here at the terminus of our rail spurs.  This trans-load facility would be one of a kind around here and would be available to all Chaffee businesses as well as other Fort Smith businesses;  Theses are just a few of my hopes for the new year.

Regarding 2011 as it relates strictly to Chaffee Crossing, we had huge successes in most categories but the most significant one was the land sales revenue-our revenue actually was three times our projection. This enabled us to begin a comprehensive program of infrastructure improvements to support all of the property development about to take place here. It also give me hope that local developers see the light at the end of the recession tunnel. My thoughts go back to the night of August 4 when a horrible fire destroyed 111 WW II buildings in our former military hospital area. I believe that the fire was carelessly set by trespassers on the property and created an unnecessary expense in excess of $500K. Unless paid for by the people responsible, these funds must be redirected from another capital budget line item thus setting us back on some projects by as much as a year. On a positive note, we re-dedicated the McClure Amphitheater in September of 2011. This "one of a kind" facility was our gift to the citizens of Fort Smith and the entire surrounding area. Once the restoration was complete,  FCRA Board of Trustees donated the property to the City of Fort Smith to become a vital part of the City Park System. In addition, we began operation of the Chaffee RV Park, previously operated by the Arkansas National Guard,  and have been operating it at a PROFIT since March of 2011. We have plans of expansion and improvements to the RV park in 2012. We also found out that the Deer Trails Golf Course will become a FCRA operation. The National Guard also relinquished the lease on that property and we will begin management of the Golf Course on January 3, 2012.  We fully intend to have it operating in the black by the end of the year. We are, however, open for proposals from private businesses to either purchase or lease the Golf Course property.

Our goals here are for more business, commercial and retail development in 2012 thus creating jobs on a smaller scale than the huge industrial projects but as the economy recovers slowly, maybe be grow jobs at the same pace-from the INSIDE OUT.  We will give it our best shot and have plans to support wholeheartedly the City of Fort Smith and the City of Barling in their efforts to spur development. We are encouraged by the signs of a recovering economy, especially here in the Fort Smith area. Steady unemployment has been a plus for us as well as the "can do" attitude of the people of our region.

• Craig Rivaldo, president of Arvest Bank-Fort Smith Region
My hope for 2012 is the fact the comments and summary of the Wall Street Journal article about Fort Smith having "True Grit" comes to fruition. The article was about Ft Smith has the ability to bounce back from the announcements of Whirlpool. Additionally, I would love to see us retain 188th and add more positions; AND our Regional Chamber, with the addition of Tim Allen along with Paul Harvel, two great Economic Developers, that we end 2012 with a net job growth in the region (even after the closing of Whirlpool).
www.thecitywire.com/?q=node/18534  (tim allen)

• Salvatore F. Salamone, an executive with Golden Living
True cooperation and the forging of a working partnership between the City Directors and the citizens of Fort Smith. This will involve both sides letting go of the past but not forgetting it and moving forward with constructive solutions that benefit everyone. We need to work together to move Fort Smith forward.

• Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders
Turn around in the national and city economies.
Jobs!! Retain existing jobs and find employer(s) to utilize the Whirlpool facility.
Retain the 188th mission.
Real development beginning on the riverfront.
Develop confidence in city government.
Retain the existing one cent city sales tax for improvements in fire service, wet weather sanitary sewer and water transmission system (March election).

• Sam Sicard, president and CEO, First Bank Corp.
Several expansion announcements of existing industry, positive resolution to the Mitsubishi patent dispute, significant pledges to the Marshals Museum, and an organized effort by our community leaders to support the education of our citizens on the prevalence of child abuse in our community and ways to identify and prevent it.

• Rex Terry, Fort Smith attorney and chairman of the Sebastian County Republican Party
My hopes for the Fort Smith region in 2012 include: Mitsubishi will clear all its regulatory and litigation hurdles and begin operating at full capacity; our U.S. Marshal’s Museum will raise the funds and commitments necessary to begin construction; our city extends the 1% sales tax for our infrastructure; UAFS continues to add to its programs, creating more opportunities for area residents to pursue and obtain college degrees.  I also hope for great cooperation among our business and elected leaders, and our area chambers of commerce, to bring new jobs to our region.

I hope that our city can move beyond the atmosphere of distrust for our elected leadership.  I am greatly appreciative of our mayor and board of directors, and of all our elected officials.  Even when I may disagree with a particular decision, we should all be aware of the sacrifices that these people make to serve in these positions.  I am glad that we have many qualified people who are willing to endure the rigors and criticism that goes with seeking and holding public office.