EDC leaders give to UACCH
Business leaders in Hempstead County have begun to offer public support for a proposed auditorium/conference center project to be built at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.
In a letter of endorsement to UACCH Chancellor Dr. Charles Welch, the Hempstead County Economic Development Corp. expressed its unanimous support for construction of the state-of-the-art facility.
The letter addresses four points of benefit to the county as a whole, including direct economic benefit to the county ...through the attraction of conferences and conventions, which benefit the area economy via the increased utilization of local motels, restaurants, and retail establishments; enhanced benefits to workforce education and continuing education programs at UACCH which will benefit local and regional employers; enhanced business and industrial recruitment capability for Hempstead County; and, as a unique venue for community and cultural events for all of Southwest Arkansas.
HCEDC President Wesley Woodard said the proposed 2,100-seat complex including main auditorium, banquet facilities, fixed kitchen, offices, six conference rooms, and outdoor amphitheater makes sense for UACCH.
From an economic viewpoint, I fully support the proposed UACCH auditorium and community conference center, Woodard said. I believe that this is a wonderful opportunity for the citizens of Hempstead County to have a say in the economic growth of our area, by continuing to develop UACCH into a regional asset for Southwest Arkansas.
Woodard said the HCEDC governong board not only supports the project, but the proposed one cent sales tax which will be put on the ballot March 11 for voters to approve.
The board of directors is excited about this community development opportunity and encourages the citizens of Hempstead County to support this project, he said.
Welch welcomed the support for what he characterized as a needed project for UACCH and Hempstead County's partnership.
I appreciate the HCEDC for recognizing the economic benefit to Hempstead County the proposed auditorium and community conference center will provide and confirming their support publicly, Welch said in a statement. I am particularly grateful that the HCEDC, whose sole purpose is to pursue economic development and prosperity for the county, has taken the lead in becoming the first organization to publicly endorse the project just days after the project was announced. I am hopeful that this is the first of many corporate and private endorsements from across the county for the project.
Construction of the proposed 50,000-square foot facility is to be financed through the sale of some $10 million in revenue bonds to be supported by a temporary 3/4-cent construction sales tax coupled with a continuing 1/4-cent maintenance and operations sales tax.
Welch said the facility would be the first of its kind in Southwest Arkansas and would provide Hempstead County with a cultural, artistic, and workforce advantage unequaled in the region. He said the conceptual design of the facility will provide for large and small group use configurations, a full production stage, banquet space for 800, and multiple, simultaneous conference/meeting capabilities.
The Hempstead County Quorum Court in December set the March 11 date for the ballot initiative in Hempstead County.
Welch said information concerning the project, including floor plans, architectural renderings, and answers to frequently asked questions can be obtained through UACCH's website at www.uach.edu on the internet.
--Ken McLemore, Hope Star Editor
