Benton Rolls Out Business Initiative

The city of Benton rolled out its new marketing effort, the Benton Business Development Initiative, at the Benton Events Center Tuesday.

The initiative includes the hiring of a full-time director of economic development and, potentially, incentives offered by the city of Benton for employers.

Mayor Dave Mattingly said the economic developer will be tasked both with working with current employers and attracting new ones.

Mattingly said the money is already budgeted for the developer and staff, while the City Council has approved an ordinance to separate the city’s community and economic development efforts. Mattingly said money will be set aside for the city to provide incentives to employers bringing businesses to Benton.

Also as part of the initiative, a marketing campaign to attract businesses and residents will be managed by Benton-based YourAdTeam. The campaign includes Facebook and publication ads and a new city logo with the slogan, “Benton: You Belong Here.”

The city is undergoing a number of growth initiatives, including The Riverside Park Complex, a community center funded by a half-cent sales tax passed by Benton residents in 2013.

Mattingly said construction would be completed as late as the spring of 2017. The new Hurricane Creek Village Shopping Center is being built in the area and will include a Kroger Marketplace and an Academy Sports.

Mattingly also told attendees that Benton’s ISO (Insurance Service Office) fire insurance rating has been reduced to 2, which should result in about a 7% insurance reduction for a homeowner with a $150,000 home paying a $1,200 premium. That would equal about $84.

He said he would propose an ordinance that would lower city millage rates from 4.5% to 4.1%, dropping taxes another $16 or $17.

Together, those two changes will save the average homeowner about $100 a year. Mattingly had told voters in 2013 that the half-cent sales tax to fund the community center and a half-cent sales tax for public services would cost the average Benton resident $100 a year if they spent $10,000 in the city.

He had told voters he would try to save them that much in other areas.

The public safety package passed with 72% support, while the tax funding the community center passed with 64% of the vote.