Blytheville, AR 2014 Community Profile

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We make it easier to find reliable people.

A Professional and Industrial Employer Service

• Management / Administrative • Industrial

• Maintenance Mechanics • Steel Production • Aluminum Foundry

• Construction

• Automotive Parts Assembly

• Machining • Heavy Equipment Operators

• Fabrication / Welding • General Factory

Peggy Lemons, President

One Source – Multiple Solutions

Locally Owned & Operated Member of Arkansas Staffing Association Member of American Staffing Association

www.tempsplusstaffing.com

102 W. Walnut • Blytheville, AR 72315 • Phone: 870.762.2 2 6 2 415 W. Keiser • Osceola, AR 72370 • Phone: 870.563.333 0

CommunityLink.com

1 800-455-5600

production vp of production operations Amanda White

lead design Josh Mueller

managing editor Jay Nehrkorn

website creation & support Josh Chandler

copywriting Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce

director of media purchasing Diana Vaughn

photography Bill Bell

What’s

Inside:

business development director of business development George Prudhomme

customer service director Kathy Risley

vp of sales operations & client care Debbie Moss

advertising ad research Mary Kopshever Mildred Walker

ad traffic Carol Smith ad design Mary Caldwell

administrative support administrative support Kathy Hagene Carol Smith account support Terri Ahner

human resources assistant Teresa Craig mailroom technician Melinda Bowlin

information technology publishing systems specialist Christopher Miller

executive leadership chairman and founder Craig Williams

ABOUT This book is published by CommunityLink and distributed through the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce. For advertising information or questions or comments about this book, contact CommunityLink at 800-455-5600 or by e-mail at info@CommunityLink.com.

Warmth is Our Specialty...................... 3 A Legacy of Soil and Soul.................... 4 Relaxing in the Delta........................... 9 Living in Style & Comfort................... 16 A Mosaic of Commerce.................... 22 T he Chamber of Commerce:

FOR INFORMATION Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 485, Blytheville AR 72316, Telephone 870-762-2012, Fax 870-762-0551, www.greaterblytheville.com © 2014 Craig Williams Creative, Inc., 4742 Holts Prairie Road, Post Office Box 306, Pinckneyville, IL 62274-0306, 618-357-8653. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher.

Strong & Steady.............................. 32 Growing the Generations.................. 37 Health and Wellness......................... 44 A Faithful Folk................................... 51 Index of Advertisers........................... 54 Preferred Business Listings................ 55

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Warmth is

Our Specialty

WE WELCOME YOU TO THE BLYTHEVILLE AREA LAND OF STEEL, COTTON AND SO MUCH MORE.

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lytheville is the gateway to the Arkansas Delta, only five miles away from the Mississippi River — known here as the Great River. We open the door to the Arkansas Mississippi River Valley, the Great River Road and the tremendously rich history follows the river southward. And we open the door to a level of hospitality that you may never have seen before. Easy comfort, sociability and congeniality are our specialty here in the Blytheville community, and whether you are shopping, moving, or touring, the faces you see will be friendly.

Blytheville combines the comfort of small-town living with easy access to big-city amenities. Only an hour south on Interstate 55 is the city of Memphis, Tennessee, and just 215 miles north is the eclectic St. Louis, Missouri. Originally an agricultural community, our area now leads the nation in steel production. Over 5,000 industrial jobs, many revolving around steel production, are located near the Mississippi River. The former Eaker Air Force Base, closed in the early ’90s, is now home to Aviation Repair Technologies, a growing corporation in the field of aircraft repair and refurbishment.

The area also is filled with unique treasures. The Arkansas Archeology Survey Station at the Arkansas Aeroplex has recovered artifacts over 800 years old, reflective of the sophisticated pre-Colombian culture that once existed here. Lights of the Delta, a holiday fantasy of lights, brings the Christmas season alive as the largest display of its kind in the entire mid-South. Shopping offers unique boutiques, including a bookstore that is listed among the ten top destination bookstores in the nation.

We hope our magazine will be a valuable resource for you. You will learn a lot about Blytheville through both pictures and words, and we hope our book will give you a flavor of our city and its gracious people.

Enjoy your connection with Blytheville! If we can help you further, visit our website at greaterblytheville. com, or call at 870-762-2012. Whatever you do, I hope you are touched by the warm spirits and friendliness of our people — they are truly our finest asset!

Liz Smith Liz Smith, Executive Director Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce

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A Legacy of

Soil and Soul

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he Blytheville area, as part of the Mississippi River delta region of the U.S., has a lush underlying history. Literally.

For deep beneath the alluvial delta soil a sophisticated pre-Columbian society has been discovered. Ongoing “digs” at the big site in Gosnell have revealed entire households, complete with pottery and artifacts galore. The region was ideal for such a big settlement, bordering the mighty Mississippi — superb for travel — and bestowing soil rich enough to grow any crop.

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That history is significant, since the people of Mississippi County always have used what the land could give them. Prior to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Mississippi County had thousands of acres of cypress and hardwood trees. With the huge demand for cheap timberland for rebuilding the Windy City, Blytheville by 1890 was no longer a sleepy, backwoods town, but a riproaring mill camp with looking-for-trouble honky-tonks, pool halls, rooming houses, slick businessmen with waxed mustaches, and questionable ladies. After the woodlands were razed, residents looked to that fertile Delta soil for their livelihood, planting cotton and soybeans. Until a quarter-century ago, agriculture reigned supreme in the Blytheville-Gosnell area. With the advent of

mechanization farming required less manpower, resulting in significant cuts in the number of farm workers. Many left for jobs in other places. Cotton gins and former industry giants like Chicago Mill diminished in number or disappeared; the area suffered economic decline until the old industries were replaced by the newer industries — particularly steel-related — that now fill the industrial park and river port areas.

Backtracking, the town of Blytheville was founded by the Reverend H.T. Blythe, a Methodist minister who led a rather tumultuous life. Each of his five wives died, and though he died a widower in 1904, he had fathered nine children. Blythe became a community activist and major landowner, involved in most every aspect of the town,

www.CityOfGosnell.us

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which became known first as Blythesville.

During the timber boom of the 1800s, rail transportation became essential, and as the new railway was established, the geographic boundaries changed leaving “old Blythesville” and the new area, Blytheville.

The trees had vanished, but the people of Mississippi County learned again how to be highly prosperous. Farmers were attracted to the soil and land was cheap. As the agricultural economy bloomed, people came, and people brought churches, schools, and merchants. Downtown Blytheville emerged as a solid family community, one that was the center of commerce and activity for the county, and the area remained a world leader in cotton production until the latter 20th century.

In later years, when agriculture production changed so dramatically, the people of the Blytheville area were again called on to find new roads to success. Blytheville’s prime location on the Mississippi River appealed to the steel industry, as did the strong work physical willingness of farmers ethic and ­ who provided a perfect workforce. With the arrival in the late 1980s of Nucor Steel, the area expanded industrially as the nation’s leading steel-producing county.

The heritage of Blytheville area people is not necessarily defined by toil or cotton or new industry. It is also defined in their dedication to community and their determination to become the best at whatever they do. Local organizations such as Main Street Blytheville, the Mississippi County Delta Blues Society, and the Ritz Civic Center join with the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Great River Economic Development Area Foundation to play integral roles, not only in the active preservation of landmarks and customs, but also in facilitating an atmosphere of love, pride, and progress amongst local residents. Whether these organizations are building hometown pride by renovating storefronts of Main Street, by restoring the historic art deco Greyhound Bus Station, by inspiring awe when listening to a Delta Blues concert, or by steadily increasing job opportunities through industrial and retail recruitment, they are bringing it all back around to the one asset that is both the heritage and the future of Blytheville, Gosnell and Armorel: the people. The great people of this Mississippi Delta community prove themselves today as they have proven themselves throughout the years. They are distinguished by an almost magical friendliness and warmth and by their never-ending resolve toward progress.

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Relaxing

in the Delta

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esidents and visitors alike always find something enjoyable to do in the Blytheville area. From year-round celebrations and festivals to cultural activities and natural recreational outlets, life in and

around the area offers lots of choices. Whether you’re just passing through or thinking about a move to the area, Mississippi County can provide for your leisure and cultural interests.

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Lodging If you’re visiting, the town offers over 700 hotel rooms, with prices to suit most every need.

The premier Holiday Inn, with upscale amenities and full services, furnishes among the most luxurious accommodations in the tri-state area.

The newest property, the Comfort Inn, offers an intimate setting and features special “pet-friendly” rooms, an indoor pool, and workout room.

The Hampton Inn and Days Inn provide affordable alternatives for comfortable visits in the Delta, along with a number of smaller, more informal motels.

All area hotels are conveniently located near Interstate 55, with dining options close by. You can easily be spoiled by Southern hospitality in the Blytheville-Gosnell area — you will see that easy living and friendliness characterize most every activity.

Terry Abstract Company Abstracts of Title • Title Insurance • Loan Closing Services As one of the oldest businesses in Blytheville, Terry Abstract Company has been providing prompt, reliable, comprehensive services for the Real Estate industry for over 100 years.

Terry Abstract Company is proud to be involved with our fellow professionals in the real estate industry who make the process of buying and selling your home as effortless as possible.

405 North Broadway • Blytheville, AR 72315 • 870-762-2381

Archeological and Historic ARKANSAS ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY STATION Another of the area’s most fascinating features is the Arkansas Archeological Survey Station, established on the Arkansas Aeroplex in 1999 to capitalize on the amazing archeological significance of this Mississippi River valley region. Cultural resources in the Blytheville station territory include: • Prehistoric Indian sites dating as far back as 10,000 years ago • Town and mound sites from the Mississippian era (AD 900–1600) • Sites that may have been visited by the Hernando de Soto expedition in 1541 • Civil War era sites • The final resting place of the steamboat Sultana • A New Deal agricultural cooperative • An outstanding example of art modern architecture from the 1930s • Station archeologists research and conserve the area’s heritage year-round.

Archeological digs and educational events are held throughout the year.

Visits to the station can be arranged by calling 870-532-9104.

JAMES K. HAMPSON COLLECTION More archeology is available in the James K. Hampson Collection, near Wilson, about 30 miles south of Blytheville. It presents an

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amazing look at the decorative arts of the late Mississippian people from the Nodena Site. Notable pieces include a large collection of the famed “Nodena Red and White” pottery, Nodena type site points, and a variety of effigy vessels, including a remarkable human head effigy, one of only three unearthed at 1,000-year-old prehistoric Native American village sites located in Mississippi County.

DELTA GATEWAY MUSEUM—A WORK IN PROGRESS

RITZ CIVIC CENTER Top-notch cultural events are brought to the Blytheville area through the activities at the Ritz Civic Center. Located on Main Street in Blytheville, this historic landmark first opened its doors to entertain the citizens of Mississippi County in the early 1900s. Completely ­renovated in the 1980s, the Ritz Civic Center is a focus of entertainment and culture, with a seating capacity of 485.

The Ritz is also home to the Arts Council of Mississippi County and the Act 2! community theater troupe. Touring companies/performers from California to New York are featured at least five times a year, in addition to regional entertainment of all sorts. For more information, call 870-662-1744.

No place in the United States offers a more interesting heritage than this Delta region, and the historic Kress Building on Main Street in Blytheville is developing a reflection of that history. In one of the community’s most exciting projects, the Kress will house the Delta Gateway Museum. Exhibits will depicting the entire history of the agricultural and industrial growth of the area and the museum will trace the people of Mississippi County, their trials and tribulations and the impact of nature, and the expertise they developed from the pre-Colombian era till modern times. Already the home to a series of temporary exhibits, the Delta Gateway Museum is worth a visit.

GREYHOUND BUS STATION Also located in historic downtown, the Greyhound Bus Station, home to Main Street Blytheville, poses another crucial reflection of the area’s heritage. The only free-standing deco-moderne Greyhound station remaining, the site is restored to its original state, with exhibits that tell stories of its past. A pivotal spot on the Dixie Line that connected the South to the North, this station helped transport the blues to Chicago. It also provided the last good-bye for many soldiers as they left for four wars, and its structure preserves even some less honorable aspects of area history, with separate entrances for “coloreds” and “whites.” In spring 2013, the bus station was the site for a grand antique bus reunion, when the “Ghosts of Highway 61” festival brought over 200 buses to town.

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Outdoor Activities There’s nothing like a warm afternoon in the Delta — or, if you like to duck hunt, no place can be more entertaining on chilly winter mornings, when ducks swoop in to land in water-covered rice fields. Hunting, fishing, and golfing are among the many ways for residents and visitors to enjoy the great outdoors, not to mention those good ole neighborhood barbeques, fish fries, and ice cream socials.

GOLFING A golfing community, the Blytheville area features two beautiful courses. The private Blytheville Country Club is home to

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two big tournaments, the Calcutta and the King Cotton, when golfers from all areas come to enjoy the classic BCC 18-hole course, complete with clubhouse and the Blytheville Country Club Pro Shop.

With more than 7,200 yards, the 18-hole championship golf course Thunder Bayou offers area residents and visitors the chance to play on an ault, Clark and Associates-designed course.

Characterize by hybrid Bermuda fairways and links-style t­ opography, Thunder Bayou, hosts a myriad of events and tournaments on Natural State Golf Trail and has been ranked as the No. 2 public golf course in Arkansas. For more information on the public course, call 870-532-2621.

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Parks and Recreation BLYTHEVILLE YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX This multi-purpose recreational facility — acclaimed as absolutely top-notch — is located on the grounds of the former Eaker Air Force Base. The Sportsplex offers 12 fields for baseball, softball, and soccer, all equipped with tournament lighting. A frequent site for state and regional tournaments, the complex has drawn hundreds of athletic teams and thousands of visitors into the community.

Other Sportsplex amenities include a concession stand, changing rooms, picnic tables, and a state-of-the art, 1.5-mile walking trail. For more information, call 870-762-0476.

WALKER PARK The city of Blytheville maintains five city parks. The largest is Walker Park, a popular spot for families. Walker Park includes picnic areas, a public swimming pool, a 0.6-mile walking lane, playground equipment, tennis courts, and a gazebo. The park’s large lake is a popular fishing hole for senior citizens and children 16 and under, and visitors of all ages enjoy feeding the waterfowl that call Walker Park home. For more information, call the Blytheville Parks Department at 870-763-3602.

BIG LAKE WILDLIFE REFUGE One of the true jewels of the region, the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, just 15 miles west of Blytheville, is a renowned sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife, especially migratory waterfowl.

More than 225 different species of birds, including bald eagles, have been identified within the refuge boundaries. The area is also a popular fishing destination, boasting excellent year-round bass fishing. For more information, please call 870-564-2429.

No community is truly alive unless it celebrates itself. Local festivals are always a “main event” in this down-home region.

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Festivals 420 West Walnut PO Box 205 Blytheville, AR 72316 870-762-5831 Fax 870-762-5833

1400 West Keiser PO Box 644 Osceola, AR 72370 870-563-2638 Fax 870-563-3794

1704 Hwy 67 N. PO Box 700 Pocahontas, AR 72455 870-892-2575 Fax 870-892-2576

2210 Fowler Ave. PO Box 1090 Jonesboro, AR 72401 870-932-5858 Fax 870-932-2030

Lights of the Delta Many annual events are celebrated in the area, but none are as spectacular as Lights of the Delta. From Thanksgiving through Christmas, the mid-South’s largest festival of lights is open to the public at the Arkansas Aeroplex. This drivethrough wonderland features seven million lights, with 45 displays over 40 acres. Hayrides, Santa Claus, and concessions make the visit to this fantasyland a unique and memorable treat for over 20,000 visitors a year. The Delta is in fact all a-twinkle during the holiday season, with the historic downtown district also sparkling with thousands of lights Learn more at lightsofthedelta.com.

Mayfest Held on an early weekend each May, this community festival celebrates the magnificence of spring in the mid-South.

A die-hard tradition in Blytheville and originally known as Springtime on the Mall, Mayfest attracts thousands into the downtown streets for entertainment, arts, crafts, rides, food, contests, and sales, sales, sales.

Gosnell Cotton Festival Gosnell spearheads the fun for a unique celebration of another great season in the mid-South: autumn. Of course, this festival is also a celebration of cotton, a vital component in the cultural and

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economic makeup of Mississippi County.

The Cotton Festival gives local residents and visitors an opportunity to revel in food, crafts, music, and lots of cotton-pickin’ fun.

Chili Cook-Off Another fall festivity, sponsored by the United Way of Greater Blytheville, the big cook-off not only spotlights chili recipes produced by teams from all around, it also features rides and crafts for the whole family. Chili tastin’ is cheap, but do watch out! Unique chili recipes can contain most anything!

Annual Christmas Parade Small-town living allows Blytheville to hold on to some traditions that are greatly lost in today’s world. Such is the Annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Held on the first Friday following Thanksgiving week, the parade weaves down Main Street with bands, twirlers, horses and floats—all made by commercial and non-profit entities in the area. The quaint charm of the parade brings out families and friends to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider while they welcome in the most festive season on them all.

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Living in Style & Comfort

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f you are planning your family’s next big move, then consider this: Why not move to a region where you can afford the home of your dreams and benefit from a delectably relaxed way of life as well?

Blytheville and the surrounding communities of Mississippi County give you just that opportunity. The amenities only begin with affordable real estate and an appealing lifestyle. You will also find variety in housing choices, from brand new developments to gorgeous historic homes on tree-lined streets. Regardless of whether you are looking to start a family and buy your first house or are preparing to retire into less demanding accommodations, the local real estate market has an option to meet your needs.

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County Judge: Randy Carney rcarney@mcagov.com The Mississippi County Quorum Court regular monthly meetings will be held at the Osceola Courthouse, Osceola, AR during the 2014 calendar year. The Quorum Court meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

Mississippi County, Arkansas 200 W. Walnut St. Room 204 Blytheville, AR 72315-2831

(870) 763-3212 www.mcagov.com 18

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For potential buyers looking for a manageable starter home, the Blytheville and Gosnell residential markets offer affordable bungalows and smaller ranch homes with two and three bedrooms. These homes are located in an array of settings ranging from older neighborhoods to newer rural subdivisions. While these homes may be modest in stature, they provide rich opportunities for younger couples to make homes in conveniently situated areas. These same homes also provide quality solutions to more experienced homeowners who are looking to downsize their home responsibilities.

If you’re ready to take the step toward a larger home that comes with more amenities, you’ll be able to do so in the Blytheville region — lovely homes can be found for a surprisingly lower price when compared to other parts of the Midwest and the country.

Mid-sized homes with an extra bedroom or an attached garage are in plentiful supply.

For those individuals who seek the luxuriant comforts of executive homes, the Blytheville area accommodates with stately colonial homes and sprawling contemporary ranches located in both subdivisions and more rural surroundings.

The area’s rich Delta history is reflected in the gorgeous older homes sheltered by huge oak trees, but the bright and new have a place in Blytheville too. New additions are in development, and these new homes, located in prime areas, feature the most luxurious of amenities and virtually every convenience.

Rental properties are also available, though with the area’s emerging construction, they are harder and harder to find! The Blytheville area offers a wide variety of options, from apartment complexes to multibedroom homes, located in both town and country settings. Most notable is Westminster Village of the Mid-South, a modern retirement community that merges activity with a unique community environment to provide a premier independent-living facility. Located within the friendly confines of the former Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village offers individuals 55 and over a variety of affordable two- to four-bedroom duplexes that range in size from 1,000 to nearly 1,600 square feet. One of only a handful of such facilities in the United States, Westminster Village has not only converted Eaker’s housing, but has also incorporated its communal buildings into the design of the retirement community. Residents also benefit from easy access to Thunder Bayou Golf Links.

The area’s rich Delta history is reflected in the gorgeous older homes sheltered by huge oak trees, but the bright and new have a place in Blytheville too.

Never settle for less.

835 East Main St. • Blytheville, AR 72315 Ph: 870.763.6453 • Fax: 870.763.6782 www.hrblock.com

Mississippi County ArkAnsAs EConoMiC opportunity CoMMission, inC. 1400 N. Division Blytheville, AR 72316

Tel: (870) 776-1054 Fax: (870) 776-1567

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Relocating To start the process of relocation into the greater Blytheville area, contact a local real estate agent or the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce for a list of agents. As a sincere gesture of Southern hospitality, members of the Blytheville Board of Realtors速 maintain the practice of extending services other than just home location.

While local real estate agents will be happy to send you a relocation packet or give you and your family a tour of the friendly environs, they also regularly schedule and facilitate school visits so you and your children can witness firsthand the excellence of local schools.

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870-762-9956 5027 North County Road 1015 Blytheville, Arkansas 72315

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A Mosaic of

Commerce

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he Blytheville area is a hive of industrial activity, with success that is ensured through a diversified industrial base and led by the cotton and steel industries. In fact, the area ranks first in steel production nationwide and second in cotton production. Among the newest developments, Blytheville is home to an aviation center where a growing number of companies are building area expertise in aviation repair/maintenance.

Blytheville also has a growing retail segment, and the community-at-large is dedicated to ongoing growth as it transitions to a predominantly industrial area.

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Agriculture Benefiting from unusually rich soil and a prime location near the Mississippi River, the cotton and soybean industries are perhaps the county’s oldest stock and trade, and are steeped in Delta history. Today hundreds of workers in the area still are employed in the planting, harvesting, ginning, buying/selling and shipping cotton, while almost as many busily plant and thrash the increasingly valuable soybean. Modern technology — from irrigation systems to state-of-the-art implements — has drastically changed the dynamics of agriculture in Mississippi County, yet the area is still home to one of the largest cotton gins in the world, which is located just west of the Blytheville-Gosnell area in the community of Leachville.

PROVIDING QUALITY PRODUCTS & SERVICE THAT MEET OR EXCEED CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS.

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Steel The steel industry arrived on the Blytheville scene in the late 1980s, drawn to the area’s centralized location and unique transportation infrastructure that includes the Mississippi River. Today, the industry, spearheaded by America’s premier steel maker, Nucor Steel, is responsible for some 3,000 of the area’s manufacturing jobs, and since steel is produced from scrap metal shipped via the River to local plants, the county is home to the largest recyclers in the world. The variety of steel products produced in the area range from I-beams to steel coils to structural tubing.

Air Developing another hub of expertise in the industrial landscape is Aviation Repair Technologies, an aircraft restructuring company. Taking advantage of the facilities at the Arkansas Aeroplex, developed on the grounds of the former Eaker Air Force Base and including an 11,600-foot runway, ART repairs any and every part of large aircraft. Malfunctioning coffeemakers, seats in need of reupholstering, jet engines requiring rebuild are all part of the ART expertise.

The Blytheville area’s industrial base goes beyond agricultural and steel and air. Other companies are diverse and the products they produce are assorted. From greeting cards, to automotive components, to margarine products — it is all being produced every day in Mississippi County.

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330 N. Broadway Blytheville, AR 72315

870-763-9441

www.mo-ark.com

Primed for Industrial Growth TWO GREAT LIFESTYLE CHOICES. With Security 24/7, Maintenance, Lawncare, Healthy Partners Clinic & Village Cafe. Both Communities are Pet Friendly - with an On-Site Dog Park.

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estminster Village: A Great Place to Retire!

Enjoy privacy in your spacious, one level, 3 or 4 Bedroom home (1,064 - 1,566 sq. ft), and a host of amenities and social activities geared to casual retirement living.

S

outhPointe: More to Come Home to!

Families and singles of all ages are enjoying this friendly, affordable neighborhood of 3 and 4 Bedroom homes (1,169 -1,329 sq. ft) where children go to Gosnell Schools. Shady, tree-lined avenues and sidewalks border larger lots with plenty of yard space.

(870) 532-6696 or 1-800-914-2516.

5215 Southside Drive • Blytheville, AR 72315

» www.wmv.org

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The riverfront industrial area, featuring access to the Mississippi River; the Blytheville Industrial Park, located just off Interstate 55; and the Arkansas Aeroplex all offer attractive locales for continued industrial growth in the area.

Manufacturers choose the area because of an impressive list of amenities. Most important is the highly strategic location — Blytheville is within 500 miles of 40 percent of U.S. buying power and is at the center point between Canada and Mexico. The city’s ideal proximity to Memphis (an hour by car) allows residents and businesses to benefit from all that a large city has to offer without having to deal with the daily frustrations of city life. And cities such as St. Louis (200 miles away) and Little Rock (189 miles away) are easily managed day trips.

Built for success, the Blytheville industrial scene is vibrant, and ready for more. A community assessment by Lockwood Greene reported: “Rarely has Lockwood Greene seen a more positive local business climate…”

Centrally located in the heart of an excellent transportation nexus, Mississippi County presents a great opportunity for companies interested in industrial expansion and the rapid delivery of goods or products.

The county offers a motivated workforce backed by state-of-the-art training facilities and institutions, excellent transportation options, a highly supportive business environment, and an aggressive approach to growth that includes a generous incentive plan. Also, Mississippi County possesses a skilled and dedicated labor force

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and the ability to attract laborers from other regions. Employers can select from applicants likely to have expertise as electricians, maintenance professionals, assembly workers, forklift operators, payroll experts, machine-maintenance mechanics and plant supervisors and managers.

As a unique labor-force aid, the region also offers customized training and consulting to help businesses keep pace with changes in technology and meet their workforce needs. The Solutions Group, a professional support division of Arkansas Northeastern College, provides an innovative model that brings the best features of a private consulting and training firm together with coursework recognition and the portability of an accredited institution of higher education. Its syllabus offers the latest in industrial, management and computer-technologies training programs that are both convenient and cost-effective. Training programs are customer-driven, with sessions operating on the customer’s schedule and providing services relevant to specific customer needs. With a highly specialized staff exclusively devoted to this program, the group also coordinates pre-employment training activities with the state of Arkansas through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.

The people of Mississippi County have committed themselves to forging new and lasting partnerships with business and industry. In 2003, the county created an innovative publicly-funded program to create highly competitive incentives for industrial and commercial growth. This program provides funding to incoming industry or expanding existing industry that can be used

Manufacturers choose the area because of an impressive list of amenities. Most important is the highly strategic location — Blytheville is within 500 miles of 40 percent of U.S. buying power and is at the center point between Canada and Mexico.

And cities such as St. Louis (200 miles away) and Little Rock (189 miles away) are easily managed day trips. for almost any tangible aspect of growth, from the purchase of land and buildings to the construction of new infrastructure.

The combined attributes of the Blytheville area — good accessibility, strong workforce potential, a pro-business atmosphere and a progressive incentive program — are complimented by a population of residents who are absolutely focused on growth and progress.

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Retail Good business in Blytheville is not limited to industry. The retail sector is another growth segment, featuring leading chains such as a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a 96,000-square-foot Lowe’s, to a number of independent businesses and boutiques.

The historic Main Street corridor takes on a charm all its own with its eye-catching historic architecture, serpentine street design, and abundant, flower-filled planters.

Apparel, cards and gifts, home furnishings, home décor accessories, and unusual antiques are a few of the shopping options.

Main Street is also home to the nationally acclaimed That Bookstore in Blytheville, a landmark that has gained tremendous popularity among publishers, making it a frequent book-tour stop for notables such as Michael Connelly, Malcolm Gladwell, Pat Conroy, Mary Higgins Clark, Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton, Laura Bush and Condoleezza Rice.

Other shops add to the boutique allure of historic Main Street. Sisters at the Crossing presents antiques and household accessories in a beautiful historic setting. Me and My Sisters, the New York Store, Burge’s Shoes and Day’s Mens Store bring special touches to the apparel market, while delicious treats come from Palace Ayres and Downtown Deli.

In fact, a trip down Main Street can satisfy your mailing and printing needs, your cosmetic needs; it can clothe you and provide you the relaxation of fine massage—it simply is the place to be.

As if that is not enough, shopping doesn’t stop at Main Street. The entire Blytheville

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and Gosnell area is filled with an assortment of specialty businesses, as well as familiar chain store establishments.

Business Assistance Why is progress so apparent in Blytheville? The area’s pro-business attitude starts with government and is further supported by a multitude of organizations that work together to aggressively pursue growth and progress. Two city governments, a county economic development team, and the Chamber of Commerce work to make it easy for businesses to locate in the Blytheville area and take advantage of the incentives that will lead to greater prosperity.

As that commerce continues to develop, both businesses and residents are served by a comprehensive list of professionals. To assist in filling workforce needs, for instance, the community features three leading employment services, each staffed by specialists in industrial and professional placement. Major banks, including Farmers Bank & Trust, Southern Bancorp, South Bank and the Northeast Arkansas Federal Credit Union, offer up-to-date financial services and lending capabilities, and both cities are served by a comprehensive list of attorneys, accountants, and professional consultants.

Federally Insured

by NCUA

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The

Chamber of Commerce: Strong & Steady

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he mission of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, over 400 members strong, is to improve the business environment and enhance quality of life in the area served.

As such, the Chamber plays an active role in community development

and economic restructuring in Blytheville and has become an essential leader in paving the road to progress for business and industry in the area.

Working closely with city governments and other key organizations, such as Great River Economic Development Area Foundation and Main Street Blytheville, the Chamber strives to bring the best of all things to the area.

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Koonce, SimmonS, & carraway, pllc C e rt i f i e d P u b l i C A C C o u n tA n t s

Philip Koonce, CPA Dave Simmons, CPA 510 West Main street blytheville, Ar 72315 870-763-7601

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The Blytheville region, which lies in the Mississippi River Delta region of northeast Arkansas has had a tumultuous business history, and it what is a transitional area of the country, much of the work at the Chamber focuses on growth potential. Over 700 people comprise committee rosters and membership rolls in this strong and growing Chamber of Commerce, all of them at work at building business and workforce for the area.

The Chamber that serves the Blytheville area is unusual: While it does provide networking programs, including Business After Hours, Early Bird breakfasts, ten luncheons per year and an annual banquet that attracts nearly 500 people, it also is the recipient of statewide awards for its programming. Almost five years ago, the Chamber initiated “Money for Main,” a grant-making and lending program designed to reestablish the charm and viability of the historic downtown area of Blytheville.

The program is a huge success. Over twenty businesses have enhanced their storefronts, while others purchased and renovated buildings to open new businesses. The Chamber received the state award from Main Street Arkansas, as well as a nomination for a national award, for championing downtown.

The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce also targets education as an important component in improving quality of life and prosperity in the area. The “Bookin’ with the Chamber” program, together with the Chamber commitment to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (called “Books from Jan,” and set up in memory of a former education committee chair) earned the Chamber the Arkansas Reading Association’s Celebrate Literacy Agency Award in 2011, despite completion from many other organizations in the state. And it doesn’t stop there. To develop funding for these programs, The Chamber partners with the renowned That Bookstore in Blytheville to produce an on-stage interview program called “Stardust on Blytheville?” The program, which has raised over $30,000, has featured such notables as authors John Grisham, Charlaine Harris and Pat Conroy; actor George Hamilton, and political figures Laura Bush and Condoleezza Rice.

The secret to the success of The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce is innovate programming and partnership — the Chamber serves as a hub in its work with community organizations like Main Street Blytheville, Great River Economic Development. It also works closely with city governments and enjoys a solid relationship with legislators at the national and state levels.

If you are visiting Blytheville, visit the Chamber — see the beautiful headquarters located right in the heart of town at 300 West Walnut, and learn more about the people who make this mid-South community so special.

It’s often said that the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce is “where Southern hospitality begins.” In all truth, the phrase may not have originated here, but you will find it to be well perfected art.

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Growing

the Generations

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ith three public school systems at its heart, a local college and a new KIPP Delta school, the Blytheville area offers not only a realm of academic options for preschool through high school, but also plenty of opportunities in the field of higher education.

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Armorel Public Schools Among public schools, the Armorel School District presents an excellent option for parents who prefer a small-school environment with strong achievement standards.

With an enrollment of 400-plus students in K–12, the district retains a minimum of 41 certified faculty members. Elementary classrooms are equipped with the Light Speed sound system, and students have access to a complete computer lab. With Benchmark test scores r­anking among the top in the county, the school offers accelerated reading and math and a full scope of gifted and talented programs, as well as services for those students with special challenges.

At the high school level, the district offers 48 units of credit through its fully certified staff. AP classes in English, math, science, and American history give students the opportunity to gain college credit at the high

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school level, and the district offers accelerated reading and math courses in grades 7–9. Music, drama, and a well-rounded athletics program complete the educational experience in Armorel.

Blytheville Public Schools Leading the way in cutting edge education, Blytheville Public schools offer students tremendous learning opportunities.

Faculty and staff have a strong foundation in Common Core State Standards and have built units of study around these standards allowing the school system to use such innovative programs as: 1) Accelerated Reader, which provides a platform to monitor students’ progress toward college and career readiness expectations, to personalize and guide independent reading practices, to increase parental support with webbased school-to-home communication and web-based quizzes; 2) Positive Behavioral

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Intervention and Supports Program offers incentives and rewards for positive student behavior with celebrations each nine weeks for students who have earned tokens; and 3) Academic Excellence Afterschool Program offered through a partnership with area industry, Tenaris, and available for students in grades 1-5.

The school system also offers a technology-rich learning environment including iPad carts for student extension and skill building--as well as storytelling, research and other forms of digital learning; SMARTBoards, document cameras and projectors in every classroom and the wireless infrastructure to support this milieu; Netbook labs in elementary and middle levels and 1:1 ratio of MacBooks in grades 9-10 with additional Netbook labs available to support learning at BHS. All variety of sports, music and art round out the Blytheville experience, just as the system adds its newest turn at the high

school level. Blytheville New Tech creates a whole new approach to learning with project-based teaching. As one of only a handful of schools in Arkansas who offer New Tech, the program is designed to bring collaboration into academic teaching, driving students to excel not just in experiential cognitive learning, but also in communicating and follow-through.

Gosnell School District The philosophy of Gosnell Public Schools embodies the belief that each student should be provided an equal opportunity to reach his/her full potential in all curriculum areas.

The school system offers a mid-size environment and provides a program that allows for the maximum growth potential of the student emotionally, physically, socially, and academically.

All Gosnell Schools are members of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. The Arkansas Department of Education identified Gosnell Schools as excellent in all areas in grades K–12, and all schools exceed the standards required by North Central Association and the Arkansas Department of Education.

Blytheville New Tech creates a whole new approach to learning with project-based teaching. As one of only a handful of schools in Arkansas who offer New Tech, the program is designed to bring collaboration into academic teaching, driving students to excel not just in experiential cognitive learning, but also in communicating and follow-through.

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Gosnell Elementary School has a graded instructional program for children from kindergarten through 6th grade. Grades K–5 feature modified, self-contained classes with specialized classes in music, art, P.E., library, and guidance. Grade 6 is departmentalized. Resource rooms, self-contained classes, speech, and GATE classes are provided for students with specific needs and abilities.

Gosnell Secondary School serves grades 7 through 12, with a curriculum offering a variety of college-preparatory, business, and physical education courses, along with music, art, computer, vocational, and school-to-work courses. For those students with special abilities, the school provides gifted and talented, resource, selfcontained resource, and speech pathology classes. Advanced placement courses are available in calculus, physics, and English IV. Finally, a variety of extracurricular activities provide students with opportunities to develop socially and to become responsible citizens. Programs such as Peer Counselors, D.A.R.E., and Smart Choices are offered through cooperation of the City of Gosnell, and President’s Education Awards Program, Science Fair, Odyssey of the Mind, Spelling Bee, Quiz Bowl, and Art Fair provide students additional opportunities for advanced development.

KIPP Delta One of the newest innovations in Blytheville, the KIPP School brings a nationally acclaimed approach education to the rural area. The Knowledge is Power Program is well-known for its outstanding record in college preparatory academic training. Only two such schools exist in Arkansas, both distinguished by test scores exceeding state averages, and offering students rigorous yet inspiring opportunities to succeed academically.

The Blytheville KIPP Delta began in 2010 with fifth grade classes—the age studies indicate to be the most pivotal in early education—and the program continues to expand grade-by-grade, now serving grades 4-8 with close to 300 students. KIPP students experience strict academic training, but they also delve into music, the arts and athletics, all with the goal of preparing for college.

For additional information on KIPP, see kipp.org. For specific questions about enrollment in Blytheville KIPP Delta, call 870-780-6333.

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ANC expands the scope of education beyond two-year programs. In partnership with four-year universities in the state, ANC offers access to both bachelors and masters degrees. On the other end of the spectrum, the college partners with local public schools in providing college-level courses to high school students.

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Arkansas Northeastern College Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC), located in Blytheville, constantly evolves to serve the educational needs of the area. ANC is well-known for its reputation of offering the most excellent education available to students in Mississippi County and the surrounding areas. Formed through a merger in the summer of 2003 between Cotton Boll Technical Institute and Mississippi County Community College, the new institution boasts a 60-year history of educating thousands. A high school graduate can take the first two years of a traditional college curriculum, acquiring credits that can be transferred toward a senior college degree. Students can also receive terminal degrees in nursing or in various technical and vocational skills.

Custom-designed pre-employment training, post-employment training, and re-training programs are part of the ANC stock and trade. The Solutions Group was specially established to forge a partnership between the college and local industry, bringing train-

ing directly into the workplace and supplying instruction for any industry need, from business math to auto parts assembly.

Educational options extend to many other areas of interest, including theater, music, and art; for business development, a unique curriculum prepares students for a future in such fields as retail marketing and restaurant management. The college also offers a comprehensive and creative community interest program, featuring short-term classes in subjects from cooking to beginning

piano to computer training to cake decorating — most any topic of interest is covered in these 4 to 6 week courses.

ANC expands the scope of education beyond two-year programs. In partnership with four-year universities in the state, ANC offers access to both bachelors and masters degrees. On the other end of the spectrum, the college partners with local public schools in providing college-level courses to high school students.

1121 West Main Street Blytheville, Arkansas 870.762.1432

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Health and

Wellness

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he Blytheville area is not just a good place to live — it’s also a good place to stay healthy. Staying fit is easy, with affordable state-of-the-art facilities within 10 minutes from most any

location, and local medical care that includes leading-edge services and technology. With a physician population of over 40 and growing, the area medical expertise continues to broaden. Key specialists such as ob-gyns, family practitioners, internists, pediatricians, and urologists join general practice physicians to meet the community’s major health care demands.

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Great River Medical Center Great River Medical Center, a full-service hospital with 168 beds, is committed to keeping quality health care closer to home for the community. The hospital offers a 24/7 physician-staffed emergency department, an ambulatory surgery center, a 20-bed senior care unit, advanced cancer treatment, a sleep disorders laboratory, and progressive women’s services, as well as a full slate of advanced services and technology. It also provides on-site care not just through private physicians, but also through the services of one of the most progressive physician specialty programs in the nation.

Advanced cancer treatment, including medical and radiation oncology, is also available. From early detection to radiation therapy and many other services, GRMC partners with many area programs to provide treatment for cancer patients.

Great River is meeting patient needs in health care for women. In one convenient location, the Women’s Center features a wide range of services, including classes, diagnostics, treatment, and advanced medical care for women.

Obstetric services are characterized by the latest in equipment and m ­ onitoring systems, an infant security system, private rooms, and a lactation center. A full range of gynecological care is offered, as well as mammography.

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ROTHROCK DRUG COMPANY FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1945

700 N 6th Street Blytheville, AR 72315 Phone 870.763.4451 Dr. Kathleen Rothrock Elliott, Pharmacist

ADDITIONAL SERVICES Other services offered at Great River include: • Inpatient surgery (same-day / ambulatory surgery) • Labor and delivery • Comprehensive inpatient care • Intensive care • Gero-psychiatric unit • Complete radiology services, including CT, MRI, ultrasound, and echocardiology • Nuclear medicine • Full lab services • Physical, occupational, and speech therapies

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"Where the corporates come for business and the farmers come for their spraying needs."

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The Great River Medical Center’s Fitness and Wellness Center is an option for fitness. A fullservice gym is available daily for any exercise regimen you might choose, the center also offers cardiac rehabilitation in a monitored environment.

FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER While good weather allows many folks to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle in the Blytheville-Gosnell area, exercise and fitness are always readily available and affordable, regardless of Mother Nature’s behavior.

Along with several commercial locations, the Great River Medical Center’s Fitness and Wellness Center is an option for fitness. A full-service gym is available daily for any exercise regimen you might choose, the center also offers cardiac rehabilitation in a monitored environment. The center is staffed all day and continually refines and expands its array of lifestyle programs and offerings, focused on prevention of and recovery from injury and illness.

GREAT RIVER CHARITABLE CLINIC An important addition to the health care mix in Blytheville is the Great River Charitable Clinic, which opened in late 2008. Founded by the local Ministerial Alliance, the clinic provides health care to qualified non-insured people of all ages through the services of volunteer physicians, dentists, and pharmacists. This tremendously successful clinic not only provides an essential service, but it also reflects the remarkable dedication of Blytheville volunteers.

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T

he communities of Mississippi County are steeped in the tradition of their faith. Blytheville’s first resident and namesake, Henry T. Blythe, was a Methodist circuit rider and a man of deep religious convictions.

Faith has been the backbone of these northeastern Arkansas communities as economies have shifted and their solace as fortunes have ebbed and flowed. And ultimately, it is the fiber of faith that accounts for one of the community’s primary assets — people who care about each other.

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A

Faithful

Folk

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Hometown churches can be found interspersed throughout Blytheville and Gosnell neighborhoods. Some of these churches — representing a wide variety of denominations — are historic, but new congregations continue to evolve, forming new churches that, like the old, are committed to connecting to the community with not only traditional worship services, but also with weekly activities and valuable outreach programs. Churches are responsible for some 30 after-school children’s programs and educational programs to help the underprivileged.

The strong faith of Delta people has been key to their thriving survival throughout history. No place is that faith more evident than in the families and churches in BlythevilleGosnell area.

#thatbookstore

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The churches of the area play an important role in community development.

For example, the Blytheville Ministerial Alliance spearheaded the creation of the Great River Charitable Health Clinic, a facility offering free health and dental

Lunsford’s Flower Shop, Inc. 1505 West Main St. Blytheville, AR 72315

(870) 763-7001 www.lunsfordsflowers.com

care to uninsured, low-income people. The clinic draws on area churches for volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and staff members.

The strong faith of Delta people has been key to their thriving survival throughout history. No place is that faith more evident than in the families and churches in Blytheville-Gosnell area. Known for its charitable giving, the Blytheville area supports a number of important causes. Well over $100,000 each year is raised in support of the nationally known St. Jude’s.

The United Way of Greater Blytheville grants thousands of dollars each year to

local organizations, as does the Mississippi County Community Foundation. Other organizations receive tremendous support in their efforts to provide services; First Tee, a national children’s golf/lifeskills program; the American Red Cross; the Haven, serving domestic abuse victims; the Humane Society; the Mississippi County Food Pantry; and the Great River Charitable Clinic are only a few charitable organizations that represent the bigheartedness of the community — a clear reflection of core Blytheville values — faith, hope, and charity.

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Index of Advertisers Air Liquide........................................................... 14 Arkansas Aeroplex.............................................. 27 Arkansas Northeastern College............ Inside Front Cover The Arts Council of Mississippi County.............. 39 Baker Implement Company.............................. 39 Benny Bob’s B-B-Q............................................... 12 Blytheville Courier News..................................... 15 Blytheville Public Schools................................... 40 Blytheville Sheet Metal, Inc................................. 53 Blytheville Winnelson Company........................ 21 Braces by Burris.................................................. 15 Carney Funeral Home and Cemetery.............. 46 Century 21.......................................................... 21 City of Gosnell...................................................... 6 D&L Inc. HVAC/Sheet Metal............................... 34 Daddy Rabbit’s Towing & Recovery................... 30 Delta Gateway Museum.................................... 39 Delta Liquors....................................................... 27 Dennis Allen Construction....... Inside Front Cover Diffine Family Practice, PLLC............................... 49 Downtown Deli & Café....................................... 34 Electrical & Industrial Supply............................. 42 Farmers Bank & Trust.......................................... 46 First United Methodist Church........................... 53 Goff Real Estate.................................................. 20 Gosnell School District....................................... 13 H&R Block............................................................ 19 Hampton Inn Blytheville............................ 7, 19, 43 Hays Store, Inc..................................................... 49 Heritage Square Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.................................... 47 Holmes Financial Services, Inc........................... 21 Hubbard & Hoke Furniture................................. 46 Jeri-Lin Donuts..................................................... 39 JMS Russel Metals Corp..................................... 21 KIPP Delta Public Schools................................... 30 Koonce, Simmons, & Carraway, PLLC Certified Public Accountants........................... 34 The Learning Stop.............................................. 42 Liz N’ Company Hair Design................................. 6

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Lunsford’s Flower Shop, Inc................................. 53 Mailboxes & Beyond.......................................... 21 Me and My Sister - Merle Norman..................... 20 Mississippi County.............................................. 18 Mississippi County Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc........ 19 Mississippi County Economic Development........ Inside Back Cover Mississippi County Electric Cooperative Inc..... 34 MO-ARK Communications................................. 26 Myers Aviation LLC / Myers Flying Service Inc................................... 48 NES Rentals......................................................... 38 NIBCO Blytheville................................................ 24 Northeast Arkansas Federal Credit Union......... 31 Nucor.................................................................. 28 Omnium.............................................................. 38 PACO Steel Corp................................................. 38 Paul Newell’s Collision Center & Auto Rental.... 13 Professional Home Sales LLC............................. 13 Rothrock Drug Company................................... 47 Russell’s Sales, LLC.............................................. 27 Schueck Fabrication Company........................ 47 Southern Bancorp.............................................. 41 St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church......................... 53 Stracener Bros. Construction............................. 21 Superior Cleaning Services............................... 25 TempPLUS Staffing................................................. 1 TenarisHickman..................... Outside Back Cover Terry Abstract Company.................................... 10 That Bookstore In Blytheville............................... 52 Thomas, Speight & Noble.................................. 14 Travel Consultants Int’l........................................ 12 United Agencies................................................. 35 Walmart Supercenter......................................... 15 Dr. T.E. Westbrook Jr. Cosmetic & Family Dentistry............................ 48 Westminster Village of the Mid-South / SouthPointe....................................................... 26

Preferred Business Listings CRANE RENTAL

INSURANCE Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield 707 E. Matthews Jonesboro, AR 72401 (800) 299-4124 melegrid@arkbluecross.com

American Crane, Inc

INVESTMENT

4482 Highway 463 South Jonesboro, AR 72402 (870) 935-2965.........................................................................................fax (870) 935-9379 paycrane@yahoo.com www.rentcrane.com

American Crane was founded in 1966. We offer a 24/7 hands-on approach to the needs of our customers. We have a variety of cranes to handle your job needs.

EDUCATION Blytheville School of Cosmetology 100 E. Main Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 838-1218 blysch.cosmetology@att.net www.blythevilleschoolofcosmetology.com

Kernodle & Katon Asset Management Group 221 W. Main Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-1900.........................................................................................fax (870) 763-1904 kendra@kernodlekaton.com www.kernodlekaton.com

Investment Planning is about assisting people to get where they need to go in life. It’s about helping clients make choices that fit them. We firmly believe Lifestyle Empowerment is what our job is about.

EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES LANDSCAPING

Dawson Employment Service 617 E. Sawyer Street Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-0133.........................................................................................fax (870) 763-0533 dawsonemployment@sbcglobal.net

Locally owned and operated by Linda Moore for the past 16 years. We take pride in providing quality job placements in Blytheville and throughout Mississippi County. At Dawson Employment Service, we are changing lives — one job at a time.

Gifford’s Lawn Service 1403 Kaitlyn Lake City, AR 72437 (870) 838-6144

LANDSCAPING / MAINTENANCE / NURSERY

HOTELS / MOTELS

Canine Tree Service Inc. Days Inn

5768 N. Highway 61 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 740-4200

102 S. Porter Drive Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-1241.........................................................................................fax (870) 763-6696 daysinn.blytheville@gmail.com www.daysinn.com/blytheville

• Locally Owned and Operated • Free Estimates • Residential and Commercial • Tree Trimming • Thin Outs • Deadwooding • Branch Removal • Debris Removal • Storm Damage • Removal & Cleanup • Licensed, Bonded and Insured

Conveniently located close to I-55, area attractions and Blytheville’s steel-related industries, we offer free, expanded hot DAYBREAK breakfast, free high-speed Internet, and an in-room microwave and refrigerator.

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MANUFACTURING

RETAIL Fasco Ace Hardware 801 S. Division Street Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-7766.........................................................................................fax (870) 763-0047 fascoace@sbcglobal.net

Harsco Metals & Minerals Located at Nucor-Yamato Steel Inc 5929 E. State Highway 18 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-6506 inquiries-m@harsco.com www.harsco-m.com

Paints & Sundries: Farrell-Calhoun, Rustoleum; Plumbing, Electrical, Hardware & Accessories, Handtools, Automotive & Marine Supplies, Standard & Metric Fasteners, Lawn & Garden Supplies & Equipment, Landscaping Tool Rentals.

Foster’s Liquor Store

Harsco provides steel mill services including logistics, scarfing and recycling of steel slag, metallics and waste oxides. Products available: Asphalt AGG, Road Base AGG, RR Ballast, Drainage AGG & Engineered Fill.

316 N. 6th Street Plaza Shopping Center Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 762-2868

Sears 302 N. 6th Street Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-1600

Sez Sew, Inc

Systems Contracting Corporation 5556 N. State Highway 137 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 762-5889.........................................................................................fax (870) 762-1931 tlollar@tsg.bz

Systems Contracting in a well-rounded construction firm with experience in industrial, municipal and commercial construction markets. In order to benefit our customers and ourselves, we’ll be the lowest-cost provider of superior products and services.

P.O. Box 707 Dyersburg, TN 38024 (731) 285-2120.........................................................................................fax (731) 285-2125 kim@sezsew.com

SERVICES H & H Business Machines 309 N. Broadway Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-1891.........................................................................................fax (870) 763-1623

STEEL MANUFACTURING MOVIE THEATERS Blytheville Cinema 3 301 N. Service Road Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-0365.........................................................................................fax (870) 763-0365 www.blythevillecinema.com

AZCO Steel Company 5888 E. State Highway 18 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 762-2300.........................................................................................fax (870) 762-2300 www.marmonkeystone.com

TELECOMMUNICATIONS PEST CONTROL Superior Termite Pest Control, Inc 6225 E. State Highway 18 Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 933-6633 office@superiortermite.net

Locally owned and operated, servicing the area since 1949. Fully licensed and bonded. Commercial and Residential. 10% discount available.

RESTAURANTS Taco Bell 125 S. Service Road Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 762-2310

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Ritter Communications 646 E. Main St. Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-6688.........................................................................................fax (870) 763-8459 customerservice@rittermail.com www.getritter.info

Ritter Communications provides residential and business services that include local and long distance phone service, cable television, and high-speed Internet.

For more information, visit www.getritter.info.

W W W. G R E AT E R B LY T H E V I L L E . C O M

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