Mulberry to receive $4 million for industrial park

The city of Mulberry is set to receive $4 million in federal dollars for infrastructure work in and around its industrial park near the Interstate 40 interchange, according to a Tuesday (Jan. 3) press release from the office of U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers.

The project will resurface roads to support increased semi-truck traffic and business activity within Mulberry’s commerce area. It will also help with the flow of traffic and congestion for citizens in the surrounding area, noted the press release. The money comes from the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus package recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden.

“The City of Mulberry is very excited and appreciative of the support, dedication, and leadership that Congressman Steve Womack has shown in helping to secure funding for the Mulberry Industrial Park Drive and Marla Lane Road Resurfacing Project,” Mulberry Mayor Gary Baxter said in a statement. “It will strengthen Mulberry’s ability to handle increased traffic and larger semi-tractor trailer truck loads in our fast-growing industrial park. Additional capacity also brings more opportunity to not only the business and industrial owners, but also the citizens of Mulberry and the Arkansas River Valley. I am so very grateful for Congressman Womack’s efforts. The future is bright, and the effects of his efforts will be felt for years to come.”

One of the businesses in the park is Compass Cold, which is constructing a 70,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse. The facility, initially estimated to add 25-30 jobs and cost about $24 million to build, is set to be finished in April with an opening likely in March. Compass Cold, which includes Doug’s Produce, a transportation and logistics company, is owned by Doug Bowen and Darren Winstead.

Following are some of the other projects in Womack’s 3rd Congressional District receiving funding from the Omnibus bill.

• The Arkansas Department of Transportation will receive $7 million for the planning, design, and construction of the XNA Access Road.
• The Northwest Arkansas National Airport will receive $6.414 million for a new air traffic control tower (ATCT) to modernize the unit and improve safety and efficiency.
• The city of Yellville will receive $2.16 million to modernize critical wastewater infrastructure.
• The Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI) will receive $2 million to expand its Allied Health Facility.
• The Berryville Public Library will receive $1 million to help build a new public library.