Page 4 - TR Hometown Jacksonville June 2017

4SS SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2017 ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • HOMETOWN JACKSONVILLE
MEET
YOUR NEIGHBOR
AIMING
HIGH
New development,
new plans point to bright future for Jacksonville
BY CODY GRAVES / SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
Take a drive through Jacksonville, and you might notice a lot going on. From new businesses to new developments, city officials have set their sights on bringing the city into the 21st century.
From new manufacturers to a new city master plan, Jacksonville has many projects in the works.
A New Hampshire-based manufacturer recently announced plans to relocate a factory to Jacksonville.
Sig Sauer Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of handguns, rifles, ammunition and gun accessories, and in May, the company announced it would relocate its Elite Performance ammunition manufacturing operation to the city.
When the relocation was announced, the company anticipated employing about 50 people at the factory, but now city officials expect the plant to employ closer to 150 people.
“It’s a great company,” Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher said. “[It makes] very high-quality products and is going to continue to grow.”
Fletcher said one of the big factors in Sig Sauer’s decision to open the factory was a result of Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who said one of the first calls he made after his inauguration was to Sig Sauer. Fletcher said that between the military presence of the Little Rock Air Force Base and Jacksonville’s blue-collar heritage, the addition of Sig Sauer is a perfect fit.
“It goes back to the ordnance days of World War II, when we had ordnance plants making detonators for bombs, and we had tens of thousands of women working here at home to support the war effort,” he said.
In addition to the 70,000-square-foot building, located on a 43-acre plot off
Opal Mitchell
ASSISTANT MANAGER
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING AT THE NIXON BRANCH OF THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS LIBRARY SYSTEM?
Helping people. It doesn’t matter if it’s just showing someone how to use the copier or find a book. I just really enjoy helping them with what- ever they need.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES AT THE LIBRARY?
Teaching craft classes such as knitting, cro- cheting and sewing.
WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE NIXON LIBRARY?
There is something here for everyone.
WHAT PROGRAMS DOES THE NIXON LIBRARY OFFER DURING THE SUMMER?
Lots of special programs. Our theme for the Summer Reading Club this year is Build a Better World. Here’s a list of some people we will have visiting this summer: the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Craig O’Neill, the Museum of Dis- covery, the Kinders, Arkansas Geological Survey and Tommy Terrific. We will have something for all ages, so please come check us out.
IF YOU DIDN’T WORK AT THE LIBRARY, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
I love to crochet, knit and spin yarn, so I would open a yarn shop.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY?
I like how the community is trying to have a better school system.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PARK IN JACKSONVILLE, AND WHY?
I like Dupree Park because it has an area for children to play, a ballpark, a pond to fish in and a dog park, all in one place.
Work on U.S. 67/167 through Jacksonville will help improve access to Main Street while maintaining business visibility from the highway.
Marshall Road, Sig Sauer also purchased land around the factory for future expansion.
The city also recently finalized its master plan for the Jacksonville Downtown Development Project. This project is an initiative that has the mission to promote and support downtown Jacksonville’s “economic, social and creative vitality through community driving programs.” While the master plan is complete, it is still waiting the approval of the City Council, Fletcher said.
The plan includes 13 goals that city officials hope can help revitalize the city’s downtown:
1. Complete a draft of “drink by the glass” legislation within a 90-day period after final approval of the master plan by all involved groups and interested parties.
2. Increase the design and establishment of public gathering places.
3. Develop all programs and projects in response to the needs of specific population groups of the city.
4. Improve the citywide high-speed- internet system.
5. Improve and increase the number of city parks, green spaces and street systems that are compatible with a pedestrian- oriented environment, walkability, biking, reduced traffic flow and controlled parking.
6. Redesign a city traffic plan and street design to minimize the use of the auto downtown; increase pedestrian utilization, walkability and biking; and improve cross- street planning.
7. Improve the use of unattractive and underutilized existing properties and the
integration of the city’s historic-preservation areas.
8. Redesign public utilities to be more attractive and underground.
9. Generate more available capital to help implement planned activities.
10. Stimulate and recruit new and specialized businesses for the downtown Jacksonville area.
11. Collaborate with the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District in the development of educational programs to reduce high school dropouts, increase graduation rates and respond to the workforce needs of Jacksonville.
12. Collaborate with the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District; Arkansas State University-Beebe; state Sen. Jane English, R-North Little Rock; the Arkansas Department of Workforces Services; the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); and Pulaski Technical College in the development of education programs that re- spond to workforce development that meets the needs of the Jacksonville community.
13. Develop a mixed-use approach to new housing.
Robert Price, director of downtown planning and development for Jacksonville, said these goals will, hopefully, help provide for long-term growth for the city. He said the city building a new high school downtown gives the city a chance to further develop the area.
“We thought this was a great opportunity to take advantage of all that and jazz up the whole community, recruit some new businesses and generally upgrade the community,” he said.
WILLIAM HARVEY/THREE RIVERS EDITION
SARAH DECLERK/THREE RIVERS EDITION