| Updated: 7/30/2008 10:08 am |
Published: 7/29/2008 7:49 pm |
It's a major announcement for Arkansas' economy. The largest industrial site in the state is now cleared to attract business. Saline County is excited about this opportunity to bring more jobs to the area. It’s the initial step in a long-term effort to bring big business here.
Tuesday, Governor Beebe made it clear although the site is in Saline County, it will benefit all of Arkansas. The growth of Saline County over the past few years is no secret. "All our communities deserve an equal opportunity," Gov. Beebe said.
That’s why he praised county leaders for making even more strides - this time, in attracting big business. Tuesday, the Saline County Economic Development Corporation announced it received clearance to attract industry to a mega-site just off Interstate 530.
The area is over 2,000 acres and is surrounded by 16,000 acres, indicating the potential to grow even more. It's called a mega site for good reason. Just to give you some perspective, if you're driving down 530, the site begins just off Exit 12 towards Woodson and extends all the way to Exit 15 towards Hensley.
For the past year and a half, county leaders monitored their checklist, making sure important items were cleared to draw business.
"It's just like you were going to buy a piece of property. You're going to look at a lot of different things," said Saline Development Chair Eddie Black.
They wanted to make sure there are no environmental concerns and making sure the business would have access to transportation and utilities.
"Any question that a site consultant will come in and say ‘Where is your railroad? How close is it? How quick can I get a railroad in and where would you take it?’ We have an answer," Black said.
Governor Beebe said this is a positive move for the entire state, but it's up to individual communities to take the lead in making themselves marketable. "The difference is what the local community does to set itself apart from its competing local communities as far as being successful," he said.
At this point, the state and the county will take on an aggressive marketing campaign to show off the site to potential companies, like automakers or other major industries. County leaders say they already have prospects.
They hope it won't take over two to three years to strike a deal. They say now that they've made sure the site is cleared to attract business, a major hurdle is out of the way.
