2010-11 Faulkner County Business Journal

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HAVE PLANS Conway

Crafton Tull knows how to imagine a space where people live, work, play, worship — you name it.

Full story, page 7

Surfing, Shopping and Saving in conway

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recent study indicated that Arkansas was 48th in broadband use. Part of the problem is accessibility. Fortunately for Conway residents, accessibility has not been a problem for well over a decade because of our local utility. In this edition of the Journal you’ll learn more about a new Internet product from Conway Corporation that will forever change your expectations for service.

The Christmas season is almost upon us, and Conway has become a destination for shoppers from across the region. Through our partnership with the Conway A&P Commission, the Chamber continues to market Conway regionally. This year the Chamber will add a campaign targeted at Conway residents called “Choose Conway,” encouraging our own residents to shop locally. Shopping locally correlates with our city’s ability to offer services, as a large portion of the budget is dependent on sales tax collections.

Shopping outside of Conway is contributing to other police and fire departments and parks systems rather than your own.

Learn about our featured business, Crafton Tull. The company offers a full range of architectural, engineering, drafting and surveying services. They are playing a major role in the growth and development of Conway and

TOP 5 RESIDENTIAL home sales in faulkner county september 2010

BRAD LACY President and CEO Conway Area Chamber of Commerce 40

Old Morrilton Hwy

3040 Westover Gentry Lake

Robins Lake

Days Lake

64 65

Skyline Dr

Cadron Valley Country Club

64

Meadowlake Rd

Donaghey Ave

Gleason

5345 Lost Canyon Drive

65 65

64

1030 Reynolds r St

Centennial Valley Golf Club

Tyl e

Mountain V

Gatlin Park

Hendrix College

t

5105 Burnt Pine

266

Donaghey Ave

Salem Rd

20 Kensington $310,000 4 bed, 3 1/2 bath 3,518 sq. ft. ($88.12/sq.ft.)

Built in 1982 at Bainbridge

er S krid

Har

1030 Reynolds $295,000 3 bed, 2 1/2 bath 2,140 sq. ft. ($137.85/sq.ft.)

Built in 2010 at The Village at Hendrix

Faulkner County. From the Fayetteville Shale to UCA, Crafton Tull is weaving their company into our local economy.

Affordable health care continues to dominate national headlines. The Chamber offers a very competitive insurance option to its members. This issue introduces the CAP Insurance program. If employee health care is an issue to you or your business, you will not want to ignore this program. It’s a benefit of Chamber membership that has saved businesses across the state thousands of dollars in health care costs.

Finally, after a year of visioning and planning, the results of Conway 2025 are available. With more than 1,400 surveys and 300 volunteers, the process helped formulate a plan to identify the most important issues to the community. Now the real work begins. Learn how you can engage with this historic planning effort.

Thank you for reading the Faulkner County Business Journal. Our economy is something to be proud of and something we all participate in. We hope this and every issue lets you feel a little more “in the know.” Enjoy.

65 40

60

P

Oak St

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c rin

Laurel Park

Caldwell St

Conway Country Club

5345 Lost Canyon Dr. $382,000 4 bed, 4 bath 3,515 sq. ft. ($108.68/sq.ft.)

Built in 2010 at Centennial

E Oak St

60

65

Fifth Avenue Park

Airport Park

Central Baptist College

20 Kensington Dr.

Dennis F Cantrell Field

Oak Grove Cemetery

Highway 60 W

286

University Of Central Arkansas

Dave Ward Dr 286

2 | FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

St

5105 Burnt Pine $409,900 4 bed, 3 bath 3,000 sq. ft. ($136.63/sq.ft.)

Built in 2009 at The Fairways

ider arkr

SH

3040 Westover $390,000 3 bed, 3 bath, 2 half bath 3,700 sq. ft. ($105.41/sq.ft.)

Built in 2000 at Williamsburg

S Salem Rd

60

365

Brumley

Conway Economy at a Glance Unemployment Rate September 2010 US ....................................9.6% Arkansas............................7.7% Faulkner County .............. 6.9% Conway..............................5.9% Labor Force September 2010 Conway Employed........................25,429 Unemployed.....................1,593 Total................................27,022 Faulkner County* Employed........................51,500 Unemployed.....................3,775 Total................................54,825 *Includes Conway Sales Tax Collections Conway* August 2010........................$1,998,266 2009........................$1,844,787 Percent Change 8.3% Total Year to Date (August) 2010 .....................$14,423,166 2009 .................... $13,711,796 Percent Change: 5.2% *Tax Rate 1.75% Faulkner County* August 2010...........................$693,033 2009...........................$675,145 Percent Change 2.6% Total Year to Date (August) 2010........................$5,090,312 2009 .......................$5,100,162 Percent Change -.2% *Tax Rate 0.5% Restaurant Sales September 2010 .................... $11,985,335 2009......................$10,884,718 Percent Change 10.1% Sales year to date (Sept.)

2010....................$104,281,968 2009 .....................$98,196,021 Percent Change 6.2% *Includes mixed drink sales Hotel Sales (September) 2010........................$1,502,929 2009 ...................... $1,265,533 Percent Change 18.8% Sales Year to Date (Sept.)

2010......................$13,901,444 2009..................... $12,927,814 Percent Change 7.5%

Building Permits Single Family Residents Year to Date Through October 2010 ...................... 204 permits 2009 ..................... 233 permits Percent Change -12.4% Total for the Year 2009 ..................... 259 Permits 2008 ..................... 192 Permits Percent Change 34.9% Average Construction Cost Year to Date (October)* 2010.......................... $171,684 2009...........................$177,119 Percent Change -3.1% *Not including land or lot improvements Average Square Footage Year to Date (October)* 2010 ..........................2,615 2009 ..........................2,583 Percent Change: 1.2% *Total under Roof Lottery Sales Faulkner County September...............$1,291,515 From Inception*.....$18,433,334 Per Capita ...................$172.56 Total State September . ..........$34,375,593 From Inception*...$477,220,465 Per Capita.....................$167.13 * Lottery began Sept. 28, 2009 Natural Gas Severance Tax Distribution November Faulkner County...........$16,317 Conway.........................$21,097 Wellhead Price per MCF* September 2010 ................................$3.78 2009.................................$2.92 2008.................................$7.27 Yearly Average 2009 ......................... $3.71 2008.......................... $8.07 2007.......................... $6.37 2006 ......................... $6.40 2005 ......................... $7.33 2004 ......................... $5.46 2003 ......................... $4.88 2002 ......................... $2.95 *1000 cubic feet Number of Wells* Faulkner County..................214 Total in Field . ..................2,845 *As of Aug. 19, 2010 Estimated Life Time Value of Production* Total Field.........$6,231,807,831 *As of June 10, 2010

Information provided by pulseofconway.com

Arkansas Scholarship Lottery’s Impact on Faulkner’s Economy

BY ROGER LEWIS

In operation for one year, Sept.

28, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has produced $477million in sales.

Approximately 22 percent, or $105 million, of the revenue from lottery sales funds the Academic Challenge Scholarships. Faulkner County is one of the few counties where benefits received exceed the lottery sales.

Lottery sales in Faulkner County were $18.4 million for the past year. Academic Challenge Scholarships valued at $2.4 million were awarded to 520 Faulkner County residents for the 2010-11 academic year. Arkansas students attending institutions of higher education in Faulkner County received 3,829 Arkansas Challenge Scholarships (UCA 3,305, Hendrix 338, CBC 186), valued at $19.3 million. There is some overlap in the $2.4 million in scholarships received by Faulkner residents and the $19.3 million in scholarships received by the colleges since many of the Faulkner county residents receiving scholarships attend one of the three local colleges. The total impact of scholarships received by Faulkner County’s residents and the colleges is approximately $20.5 million when this overlap is factored out.

The Arkansas Challenge Scholarships are not entirely funded by lottery proceeds. The state continues to fund the program at $20 million per year amounting to approximately 15 percent of the total scholarship awards. The estimate of $20.5 million in scholarships that Faulkner County residents and colleges receive as a result of the lottery is reduced to $17.6 million to reflect the portion funded by state general revenues.

Faulkner County, with its $18.4 million in lottery sales, ranks fifth among the counties in sales. The rank in sales is related to the size of the population and location of the county. Faulkner County is also fifth in population among the counties.

Located on Interstate 30, it is as-

sumed that some of the sales are to visitors to the area. When comparing sales per capita, Faulkner County ranked 26th with $172.46 in sales per capita compared to the state average of $167.13. The range in county sales per capita ranged from $44.70 for Montgomery County to $428.31 for Dallas County. In terms of the percentage of per capita income that residents spend on the lottery, Faulkner County ranks 41, Dallas county ranks 1 and Montgomery County ranks 74.

Monthly lottery sales are in a slight decline both at the state level and in Faulkner County. October 2009 sales for Faulkner County were $1.76 million and were just $1.32 million in September 2010.

The peak in sales, $1.77 million, was in February 2010. The state’s sales declined from $44.45 million for October 2009 to $34.38 million for September 2010. Even though additional games have been introduced, sales have not increased.

Approximately 66 percent of the sales are returned to the players through prizes, 5.6 percent is paid to point-of-sale vendors as a commission and 6.8 percent is used for administration, advertising and contracted services, leaving approximately 21.6 percent for scholarships. Based on the $18.4 million in Faulkner County lottery sales, the players should have received approximately $12 million in prizes. The fact that a Mayflower

resident won $25 million in a Power Ball game pushes the winnings in Faulkner County to an abnormal high. (This was the only Power Ball grand prize winner in the state since the inception of the lottery).

Local governmental officials have been concerned that lottery sales negatively impact sales tax collections. Lottery sales are not subjected to sales tax levies.

Faulkner County’s sales tax rate of .5 percent would generate $92,000 in sales tax revenue on $18.4 million lottery sales if the money spent on lottery tickets were spent on taxable goods. This revenue would be slightly more than one percent of the County’s annual sales tax revenue. Likewise for Conway and other cities in Faulkner County, the tax revenue on lottery sales would account for about one percent of the sales tax collections. Lottery sales do not substantially impact sales tax revenues.

Faulkner County has a net gain in terms of the return on lottery sales.

Scholarships awarded to residents, students with scholarships attending the three institutions of higher education and prizes received by players substantially exceed the amount spent on the lottery. The fact that Faulkner County has three colleges and a $25 million prize made this situation possible.

More information on Arkansas Scholarship Lottery can be found at Pulse of Conway website, pulseofconway.com

FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | 3

CVB, Chamber Partner on ‘Choose Conway’ Campaign Would-be shoppers throughout central Arkansas will soon be asked to “Choose Conway” in a coordinated mail, tv and radio campaign.

The Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce are partnering on the promotion.

The effort coincides with the start of the Christmas shopping season. Kathy Wyrick, VP of Investor Relations for the Chamber, will coordinate the campaign. “With so many currently making decisions on where to shop, host parties and spend time with friends and family, we chose the

Conway Corporation CEO Richie Arnold helps unveil the results of the Conway2025 plan at the 2010 Business Expo. Conway Corporation sponsored the Business Expo Breakfast. More than 250 area residents attended.

CONWAY2025 PLAN UNVEILED AT EXPO After a year of surveys, meetings and goal setting Conway now has a strategic plan. The Conway2025 plan was unveiled to a breakfast crowd of more than 250 during Business Expo.

The plan was the result of 1,400 surveys from Conwayarea residents and recommendations from more than 200 volunteers. The plan is built around seven focus areas that promise to “Keep Conway: Active, Building, Creative, Learning, Moving, Safe and

Working.”

The process was facilitated by a seven-person steering committee of Conway residents.

Conway Area Chamber staff facilitated more than 50 meetings accumulating the information used to write the plan that includes 132 goals to accomplish by 2025.

holiday season to kick off the campaign.”

The campaign officially kicks off in November and will continue throughout 2011.

The first Choose Conway television spot will tout local shopping, dining and lodging options using a holiday theme. Future ads will take a broad look at the local economy, choosing area residents to Choose Conway in a number of different ways.

Conway Corp. customers will also receive a bill insert during the holiday shopping season.

The insert will encourage Conway residents to keep their spending local. The insert includes the tagline, “It’s not about how much you

spend. It’s about where you spend it.”

Wyrick said the insert serves as a “reminder of the many options Conway now offers.” Conway currently has more than 150 restaurants and has added several new retailers in the last 12 months.

Wyrick says the expectation is not to retain 100 percent of the local shopping dollar, but to make Conway businesses the “natural and first choice” for shopping and dining.

She also hopes that any dollars that “leak” from Conway will be more than replaced by the very people the Choose Conway campaign hopes to attract.

Health Benefit to be discussed at Lunch and Learn event Perhaps the most underused and little known benefit of Chamber membership will soon take center stage at a Dec. 2 Lunch and Learn event at the Chamber offices.

The Chamber Alliance Program, or CAP, is a group health plan available to any active chamber member that employs between two and 199 employees.

Richard Eden, statewide Director of the CAP program, will talk about the impact of health care reform and the benefits of CAP membership.

CAP allows small business to pool with other chamber members to share risk, increase purchasing power and negotiate lower premiums for their business.

The CAP program currently covers more than 240 busi-

nesses and 2,500 lives. More than 30 percent of those covered did not have access to an employer insurance program before CAP made it affordable.

Chamber Membership Director Lindsay Grifford said the savings CAP offers frequently makes the difference between offering insurance or not.

“The savings CAP offers allows small businesses the opportunity to provide affordable, quality health care options to their employees.

In many cases these options are not available from other providers. There are countless examples in Arkansas where CAP has saved small business owners thousands of dollars.”

CAP offers a choice of deductible plans for the employer and more deductible choices for the employee.

By pooling with other small

businesses across the state program members are able to keep premium increases to a minimum.

Grifford says the program is growing statewide and she wants Conway businesses to be a part of that growth.

“Every small business in Faulkner County, chamber member or not, owes it to themselves to learn about this program. We think it will save our members money and keep their employees healthy.”

The Lunch and Learn program will take place at the Chamber offices Thursday, Dec. 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information about CAP insurance or to RSVP for the event email Lindsay Grifford at Lindsay@conwayarkansas.org. Space for the event is limited to 40.

Lunch will be provided.

FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | 5

crafton tull has big plans for conway

full service planning, architecture, engineering, and surveying firm is growing roots in town

T

The company is built on collaboration and teamwork, both with customers and within the firm. They listen, they learn, they ask questions, and then listen some more. They strive to capture the imagination of their clients and present them with an organic representation of their vision.

office in Conway with three employees to survey for companies engaged in the Fayetteville Shale project. Today, the Conway office employs nearly 80 people and is doing business for several of the major gas and oil companies in the area. Crafton Tull has surveyed millions of acres for wells and natural gas pipelines throughout the Fayetteville Shale natural gas field in north central Arkansas. That is a real testament to the company’s ability to deliver sophisticated survey information accurately and timely over an unforgiving terrain.

energy services

GROWING WITH CONWAY

hey know how to imagine a space where people live, work, play, worship — you name it.

Oh yes, and they are a major energy services firm, which is why, less than three years ago, they opened an

According to Lane Housley, Senior Vice President, the firm’s commitment to Conway has just begun. Another grow-

ing relationship being built within Conway goes back over 20 years in working with the University of Central Arkansas on numerous civil engineering projects.

“We had been growing our portfolio of educational work, working with Lane to meet new clients and relationships.” said Greg Barborek, AIA, Vice President.

Thanks to those efforts, they were recently awarded the planning and design of a new $20 million residence hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. “It was so great to finally see us be able to take the quality of engineering work we had been providing for years and now give UCA the same quality on a full service level.” acknowledged Gregg Long, Director of Civil Engineering.

See CRAFTON TULL, Page 9 FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | 7

Partnership focuses on investment, events

By Kim Williams Director, Conway Downtown Partnership

These are busy times for the Conway Downtown Partnership. Downtown Conway is thriving like no other time in its modern history.

As our organization has matured, we have embraced our daily mission of facilitating new investment and a rich slate of events for downtown.

Investment

Smart Growth is what Conway and its downtown is all about. Since the inception of the Conway Downtown Partnership nine years ago, smart growth has been the cornerstone of the Partnership’s mission.

The first step was preparing a master plan for the Downtown Commercial District. With a plan in place, we began the revitalization of downtown through improved infrastructure such as drainage, streetscapes and sidewalks. All the while, the Partnership was busy recruiting anchors such as Mike’s Place, EM Jeans and tenants for the Halter Building.

To date, there has been more than 80 million dollars invested in downtown revitalization.

There are currently three major revitalization projects under way at this time. The first is the expansion and renovation of the Federal Building at Main and Front streets.

The Federal Building is a 25,000-square-foot, two-story building built in 1969 that has been purchased from the U.S. Postal Service by Nabholz Properties. The U.S. Postal Service will lease back approx.

5,000 square feet, with the rest of the space available for lease. Renovations should be complete by July of 2011.

Next, the former Work Force Boots/Conway Shoe Store Building on Front Street is currently in the planning phase

Nabholz Properties will soon begin renovations on the 25,000-square-foot Federal Building at Main and Front streets.

with plans to proceed with renovations starting this fall.

Finally, the old Smith Ford building will see a major renovation project that will house at least one restaurant/entertainment venue extending the Front Street Entertainment District.

Recently, Conway was nominated and accepted to the National Register as a Commercial Historic District. This will unlock even more state and federal dollars for rehabilitation and revitalization of older buildings in our downtown core.

Last, but certainly not least, The Village at Hendrix is now leasing space in the first two buildings that make up the Market Square. These buildings are home to Panera Bread, ZaZa’s and the Village Bookstore. Southwest Energy is completing a five-story Regional Headquarters located on the northeast corner of the Village development property.

Also, 10 single family homes of the initial planned 52 homes have been completed for

8 | FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Phase I of residential area.

In addition to the residential, commercial and business developments, the Village will also be home to the Village Watershed.

Central to the Village philosophy of design is respect for the natural environment. The Village Watershed will reclaim and revitalize Hendrix Creek to protect water as it runs through constructed wetlands and marshes. Amazing trails, foot bridges, an outdoor classroom and natural areas are planned throughout the watershed. Just imagine 12.7 acres of trails, outdoors and parks within easy walking distance from Downtown Conway’s central core.

Looking ahead, the City of Conway, the Conway Downtown Partnership and the Conway Development Corporation are working on redevelopment of the Markham Street Corridor that will be a direct link between downtown Conway and The Village at Hendrix.

The goal of the corridor is to create a livable and walkable neighborhood that folks can

retreat to at the end of the day.

This will establish downtown Conway as more than just a place of business, but a place to call home.

events

Downtown Conway is the entertainment, government and legal hub for Conway and Faulkner County. Thanks to our colleges, it is home to amazing visual and performing arts and special events. These events give Downtown Conway that groovy vibe that only college towns enjoy. It’s a downtown that moves to a different beat.

Think Downtown is just a place for business? Think again. With a variety of after work and weekend activities available, you’re sure to find something entertaining.

Downtown Conway has galleries, historic sites, concerts and more.

As the momentum builds, more shopping and dining experiences continue to emerge.

It brings opportunities for exciting festivals, fairs and open-air entertainment. The downtown

Conway Sidewalk Players can be seen and heard throughout the downtown district on Thursday through Saturday evenings.

Downtown Conway hosts the Conway Farmers Market and the Silver Moon Cinema from April until October. Third Thursdays offers a change of pace for folks looking to get out and mingle. ArtsFest is an annual event that brings together all forms of visual and performing arts. Recently “ROAR”(Riders of Arkansas Rally) attracted more than 2,300 bikers downtown. Finally, we have revived the popular Moon Light Madness and Downtown Christmas Open House.

For more information on all these developments, visit: Conway Downtown Partnership: http://www.downtownconway.org/ Nabholz Properties: http://www.nabprop.com/Index.aspx The Village at Hendrix: http://www.hendrix.edu/village/ The Village Watershed: http://www.hendrix.edu/village/ watershed.aspx

Shopping Locally, and Why it matters

W

e would love to think everyone in Conway knows why they should make every effort to shop locally when possible.

But the fact is advertising, convenience or a host of other circumstances often distract us from thoughtfully considering where we spend our money.

For your consideration, here are just a few reasons why to shop locally.

• It helps your city — In Arkansas, sales taxes on purchases will always be the single most important way cities pay for community capital projects and services. Spend your money elsewhere and their residents get the benefit.

• It helps your neighbors — The owners of local businesses are your neighbors. Their employees are your neighbors. When their business does well everyone locally benefits. Jobs.

Neighborhoods. Everything.

• It’s good for the environment — The products available in our local businesses are already here. Less shipping. Less traveling to shop. Less traveling for their employees.

• It’s good for our non-profit community — Take a close look at who supports our local charities, churches and schools. It’s a who’s who of local business.

area FAMILY dining SPECIALS MONDAYS n Denny’s Restaurant 815 East Oak Street, 329-6638 Kids (10 and under) eat free *4-9 p.m. n Gusano’s Pizzeria 2915 Dave Ward Dr., Suite 7, 3291100 Kids get 8-inch pepperoni or cheese pizza, drink included for $1.99 with purchase of adult entrée n Mazzio’s Italian Eatery 2475 Washington Ave., 327-6703 2 FREE kids meals with purchase of a 2 or more topping large pizza from the regular menu; 4 FREE kids meals with purchase of two large pizzas with 2 or more toppings *After 4 p.m. n Shorty Smalls 1475 Hogan Lane, Suite 123, 7641845 Kids eat FREE *3-10 p.m. (close) n The Fish House 116 South Harkrider St., 327-9901 Kids eat FREE with purchase of adult dinner *After 4 p.m. n Stoby’s Restaurant 805 Donaghey Ave., 327-5447 Kids eat FREE with purchase of adult entree *4-11 p.m. (close) *Limit two kids per adult n Stromboli’s 2665 Donaghey Ave., Suite 101, 327-3700 Kids (12 and under) eat FREE with purchase of adult entrée *Dine-in only TUESDAYS n Denny’s Restaurant 815 East Oak Street, 329-6638 Kids (10 and under) eat free *4-9 p.m. n Gusano’s Pizzeria 2915 Dave Ward Dr., Suite 7, 3291100 Kids get 8-inch pepperoni or cheese pizza, drink included for $1.99 with purchase of adult entrée n Mazzio’s Italian Eatery 2475 Washington Ave., 327-6703 2 FREE kids meals with purchase of a 2 or more topping large pizza from the regular menu; 4 FREE kids meals with

purchase of two large pizzas with 2 or more toppings *After 4 p.m. n The Fish House 116 South Harkrider St., 327-9901 Kids eat FREE with purchase of adult dinner *After 4 p.m. n Stoby’s Restaurant 805 Donaghey Ave., 327-5447 Kids eat FREE with purchase of adult entree *4-11 p.m. (close) *Limit two kids per adult WEDNESDAYS n Denny’s Restaurant 815 East Oak Street, 329-6638 Kids (10 and under) eat free *4-9 p.m. n Mazzio’s Italian Eatery 2475 Washington Ave., 327-6703 2 FREE kids meals with purchase of a 2 or more topping large pizza from the regular menu; 4 FREE kids meals with purchase of two large pizzas with 2 or more toppings *After 4 p.m. n Stromboli’s 2665 Donaghey Ave., Suite 101, 327-3700 Kids (12 and under) eat FREE with purchase of adult entrée *Dine-in only THURSDAYS n Denny’s Restaurant 815 East Oak Street, 329-6638 Kids (10 and under) eat free *4-9 p.m. n Mazzio’s Italian Eatery 2475 Washington Ave., 327-6703 2 FREE kids meals with purchase of a 2 or more topping large pizza from the regular menu; 4 FREE kids meals with purchase of two large pizzas with 2 or more toppings *After 4 p.m. n Moe’s Southwest Grill 625 Salem Rd., Suite 9, 336-6500 Kids eat FREE with purchase of an adult entrée *Dine-in only FRIDAYS n Denny’s Restaurant 815 East Oak Street, 329-6638 Kids (10 and under) eat free *4-9 p.m. n Mazzio’s Italian Eatery

2475 Washington Ave., 327-6703 2 FREE kids meals with purchase of a 2 or more topping large pizza from the regular menu; 4 FREE kids meals with purchase of two large pizzas with 2 or more toppings *After 4 p.m.

SATURDAYS n Denny’s Restaurant 815 East Oak Street, 329-6638 Kids (10 and under) eat free *4-9 p.m. n Mazzio’s Italian Eatery 2475 Washington Ave., 327-6703 2 FREE kids meals with purchase of a 2 or more topping large pizza from the regular menu; 4 FREE kids meals with purchase of two large pizzas with 2 or more toppings *After 4 p.m. n Oak Street Bistro 800 Fourth Ave., 450-9908 Kids eat FREE all day n Pizza Inn - Hogan 815 Hogan Rd., Suite 1, 327-1900 n Pizza Inn - Oak 724 Oak St., 329-3881 Kids eat at buffet for $0.99 *11a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.

SUNDAYS n Denny’s Restaurant 815 East Oak Street, 329-6638 Kids (10 and under) eat free *4-9 p.m. n Mazzio’s Italian Eatery 2475 Washington Ave., 327-6703 2 FREE kids meals with purchase of a 2 or more topping large pizza from the regular menu; 4 FREE kids meals with purchase of two large pizzas with 2 or more toppings *After 4 p.m. n Oak Street Bistro 800 Fourth Ave., 450-9908 Kids eat FREE all day n Lenny’s Sub Shop 605 Salem Rd., Suite 9, 336-8813 Kids eat FREE *Two children per adult n Smoothie King 985 Carson Cv., Suite D, 336-9555 Kids get FREE smoothies with purchase of adult smoothie *Noon-4 p.m.

• It’s a better experience — Should you need “service after the sale” no one will offer better service than your local store. There’s the added benefit of experiencing the shopping rush with folks you know.

To put it simply, it matters where you make your purchases. Take the long view. Consider what happens after your transaction. Conway has a lot to offer.

Happy shopping.

CRAFTON TULL, from Page 7 This project with UCA is just the start of giving Crafton Tull what they have been striving for in providing clients in Conway with a locally invested one source full service Architectural and Engineering firm. Crafton Tull had also been serving Conway with landscape architecture and planning projects for the City of Conway, Hewlett-Packard’s new facility and a landscape architecture study of the I-40 corridor through Conway.

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Asking their employees to be engaged in the community means just that. Housley now serves on the Conway Chamber Board of Directors, Conway Young Professionals and the company helps sponsor events in Conway, including the Conway Business Expo and the Taste of Conway. “Our employees love it here as a great place to work and raise a family. Plus being able to live here and keep that revenue in the City is something we are proud of and we hope that kind of local business translates into continued growth not only for our City but for our office here,” Housley explained.

VISION FOR CONWAY

“The Conway 2025 strategic planning process is an exciting first step in planning the future of a community,” says Julie Luther, AICP, a certified city planner with Crafton Tull. “It helps bring the community together to dis-

O

ur employees love it here as a great place to work and raise a family. cuss issues and opportunities, to find common ground, and to see which issues are of greatest concerns among the population. This process also defines a community’s goals and creates action steps to achieve these goals, but this is only the beginning. The next step includes specific, targeted planning efforts to help bring the vision to reality.” Crafton Tull will continue to its growing commitment to its Conway operations and in the community. Given their experience and diversity, they are poised to become a permanent fixture in the Conway business community.

THE COMPANY

The firm began as a civil engineering and surveying company in 1963. Today, they employ over 250 people with projects nationwide. They are a national award-winning full service firm offering planning, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and survey. The company has offices in Conway, Little Rock, Russellville, Rogers, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. Their core values are CIRCLES: Creativity, Integrity, Respect, Celebration, Loyalty, Excellence, and Sustainability.

FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | 9

Conway Corp. upgrades will offer ‘blazing, unmatched’ internet speeds If someone currently has Conway On Nov. 17, Conway CorpoCorporation Internet, what could ration will begin offering a new they expect if they change to Turbo? level of Internet service that promises a quantum leap in With the Turbo (Docsis 3.0) package, Conway Corporation speed and service. DOCSIS customers will be able to begin 3.0 will allow Conway Corp. streaming a high-def movie customers to have Internet almost immediately. Online access with faster speeds. gaming enthusiasts will see a The launch of DOCSIS 3.0 opens the doors to the next generation of Internet technology. With the deployment of DOCSIS 3.0, Conway Corporation has introduced new tiers of service and increased speeds in existing tiers for both residential and business customers.

We visited with Jason Hansen, manager of Broadband, Video and Voice with Conway Corp.

He gave us the down low on downloads.

difference in their interactive game play using their Xbox, PS3 or Wii. Customers with the Turbo Package will also be able to download digital photos, songs and games faster than ever.

What are some benefits of a small business switching to Premier?

Business customers will benefit from the increased speeds, increased efficiency and productivity. Benefits also include greater speeds for

offsite backups; faster download for moving files online and more available bandwidth per computer at their business. Premier customers also receive a static IP address and priority phone support.

Customers can sign up for the Premier (Docsis 3.0) package with download speeds of up to 50 Mbps by calling 450-6000.

How does the upgraded service compare with other Internet providers in Conway?

With speeds up to 50 Mbps in the downstream, Conway Corporation’s Turbo package for residential customers and Premier package for business will be unmatched by any of our competitors.

In addition to this blazing fast tier, Conway Corp. has upgraded its infrastructure and is able

to offer a variety of speeds for its speed hungry customers.

Is it available citywide? Where is it available? What is the plan for build out?

Conway Corporation has never believed that rolling out a product to service its customer base should be done selectively, therefore when we introduce the next generation of broadband it will be available citywide.

How do I make the switch?

You can purchase a DOCSIS 3.0 modem at a local retailer or rent a modem from Conway Corporation. Current and new Internet subscribers can contact Conway Corporation customer service at (501) 450-6000 to subscribe to the service. Customers can call in,

purchase modem, and have it ready for the November 17 launch.

How much does it cost?

There are three levels of Business Package: • Priority = $34.95 • Premium = $54.95 • Premier (Docsis 3.0) = $98.95

How would you describe the speed?

The average Internet speed in the United States is 4.7 Mbps and the Turbo package is over 10X the national average.

The technology powering this service – Docsis 3.0 – is among the top in Internet speed and reliability. We are now able to offer speeds that are unmatched in the area.

2010 business expo and taste of conway More than 30 local restaurants and caterers and more than 80 businesses were represented at the Conway Fairgrounds and Business Expo Center on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

The Business Expo continued the next day with a Business Expo Breakfast, a “lunch-in” and several informative sessions.

COURTNEY SPRADLIN PHOTO

10 | FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

WHAT’S THAT GONNA BE? Q

Qualscript, Fagetti State Farm Insurance and office space for lease

ualScript is a medical transcription company owned by Gayle Fagetti and Pat McCarver. Fagetti State Farm Insurance will be relocating from their Washington Avenue location. The building will also have 1,200+ square feet available for lease. n Where is that?

335 Hogan Road

n Who’s building it?

Mallory Construction is the General Contractor. Rik Sowell Architects designed the building. The building is owned by Suger Dolls LLC. For leasing info call 501.505.8885.

n When will it be completed?

The project should be completed by the end of the year.

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