2012-11 Faulkner County Business Journal

NOVEMBER 2012

TO FITNESS AND FUN Hendrix Wellness and Athletics Center offers community memberships, birthday parties & more FULL STORY, PAGE4

New Event Recognizes Women in Business

T

he Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has created a new business event to celebrate the successes of women leaders in central Arkansas.

The Women in Business Awards honor individuals in the Conway area who have excelled in leadership and community service and who have inspired others on both a personal and professional level. The inaugural awards luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, and will take place in the Student Center Ballroom on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

At the Women in Business event, five individuals will receive the “Outstanding Woman in Business Award.” The honorees embody high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment to their respective organizations, industries and to the business community.

Of the five recipients, one will receive the prestigious “Diamond Achievement Award.” This award recognizes an individual who has inspired and empowered many generations of women and who has had a positive impact on those in her profession and in the community.

The award recipients are as follows: Brandy Strain-Dayer, Strain Photography For Brandy Strain-Dayer, creating a fun experience for clients is her focus.

She and her sister, Jackie, are secondgeneration professional photographers at Strain Photography — an awardwinning studio their parents founded 43 years ago. “I aim to treat every person who walks in the door of the studio as a friend, not 2 | FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

just a customer,” she said. “I truly love what I do.”

As is the case with many small, family-owned enterprises, Strain-Dayer is involved with all aspects of Strain Photography. “I began photographing 20 years ago and also do Web design, marketing, you name it. In a small, family business, if we don’t do it, it won’t get done.”

Strain-Dayer views her success in business through the lens of teamwork.

“I could not do anything without my family; we work together as a team,” she said. “I believe this nomination is a reflection on us as a whole — not on me as a person.”

Brandy Strain-Dayer has served on the board of directors for Bethlehem House, HAVEN, Friends of the Faulkner County Animal Shelter, Alzheimer’s Arkansas Conway Walk, and Professional Photographers of the Ozarks.

Toby Hart, Take the Lead Academy Inc. From horseshoes to dancing shoes, Toby Hart — or Miss Toby — has turned her passions into her livelihood. Hart founded Take the Lead Academy Inc. where she has taught dance and horseback riding lessons to students for 35 years.

“My work is my hobby, and my hobby is my work,” she said. “I have traveled across the U.S. and Canada and never have met anyone who teaches dance and horseback riding for a living. I have loved doing what I do, and I didn’t have a mentor to learn the business from.”

While Hart did not have a mentor in her chosen field, she said her late mother was her role model. Pete Hart owned CENTURY 21 Dunaway & Hart.

“I wish my mom could have been alive to receive this award. She was a real maverick for women in business.”

In addition to teaching at Miss Toby’s Dance Ranch, Hart takes her talents into the community. She has led and closed the Faulkner County Fair Parade on horseback for a number of years.

She also has taught line dancing at conventions, judged dance and cheerleading competitions, and competed in rodeos. “My business is a never-ending pursuit to educate and enlighten,” Hart said. “My personal life is the same.”

Sonja Keith, 501 LIFE (Advertising and Publishing) Most people living or working in Conway and the central Arkansas area have thumbed through an issue of 501 LIFE. Sonja Keith and Donna Spears established 501 LIFE Advertising and Publishing in February 2008, which publishes the general-interest magazine.

Keith said starting the company was one of two major risks she has taken in her life. “I was fortunate to have a good friend, Donna, who shared my dream and desire to create a publication that would be positive and inspirational as well as informative and entertaining,” she said. “Fear could have gotten the better of us, but instead, we believed in our dream. We have been strengthened by others who have offered their encouragement and support.”

Keith and 501 LIFE have been involved in the community in a number of ways. The publication launched the “Step Up to the Plate” hunger campaign that encourages schoolchildren and others to raise money in support of a hunger relief agency. The campaign also collects canned goods for Bethlehem House, a local transitional shelter that assists homeless individuals and families.

Keith has served as chairwoman of the Faulkner County Leadership Institute and Youth Leadership Institute and the Toad Suck Daze committee.

She is a charter board member of the Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas and the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County. Keith also has served on boards for HAVEN and United Way and is a member of the Bethlehem House’s “Home for the Homeless” campaign committee, the Conway Regional Women’s Council and the Conway Regional Community Advisory Board.

Linda Linn, Linn’s Auto & Equipment Sales Inc. Since 1965, Linn’s Auto & Equipment Sales Inc. has sold quality, repairable or repossessed vehicles to consumers throughout the U.S. Linda Linn coowns the business with her husband, Danny.

The Linns also own Just Scrap It Metal Recycling, Oak Street Auto Sales and U-Pull-It of Conway.

Linn has served or is currently serving on a number of boards and committees in Conway. She was chairwoman for the United Way Campaign, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors and Conway Christian School’s Foundation Board. She was a founding board member for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and served on its board for six years. Linn is also a member of the Conway Committee of 100; the UCA Business Advisory Committee; the Bookcase for Every Child committee; and fundraising committees for Bethlehem House, the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County, and the Arkansans for Jobs and Affordable Energy committee.

“Danny and I always have felt like we needed to give back to the community

reer,” Marr said. “I am humbled former Acxiom colleagues nominated me for this recognition.”

Although she is now retired, Marr’s volunteer work keeps her busy. For more than 10 years, she has helped lead a volunteer-

because it has always been so good to us,” she said. “Our family, our church, our business and our community are our lives and somehow that balance works out.”

Holly Marr, Acxiom Corporation (retired) Holly Marr worked for Acxiom Corporation for 26 years, working her way up to vice president/industry executive for the global technology and marketing company.

“It was fortuitous for me to have been a part of Acxiom during its high-growth years, and thus I was afforded leadership opportunities early on in my ca-

based charitable fundraiser to fund Camp Hope – the American Cancer Society’s annual summer camp for kids with cancer. To date, Marr and the other volunteers have raised more than $216,000 for the camp, and they have received local, regional and national awards for their efforts. Marr is also beginning her second, three-year term on the board of directors for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where she serves on several committees.

“I learned to be opportunistic with my schedule,” Marr said. “Although every job I held at Acxiom was demanding, the company was always great about allowing flexible work schedules. I also

learned to micromanage my calendar because I know that how you spend your time reflects your priorities.”

About Women in Business Brad Lacy, president and CEO of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said although a large number of Chamber members are women-owned enterprises, there has not been an event focused exclusively on the achievements of local businesswomen.

“The Chamber is happy to fill that void,” he said. “We have assembled a strong and diverse committee to help ensure this event is successful. Congratulations to all the honorees.”

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YEAR BUILT 2003 2005 2006 2003 2012

FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL | 3

COVER STORY

DIVE IN FOR FITNESS AND FUN HENDRIX WELLNESS AND ATHLETICS CENTER OFFERS COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIPS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND MORE

Conway residents can rise and shine with an indoor pool or weight room workout at the Wellness and Athletics Center (WAC) at Hendrix College.

Formally dedicated in 2007, the WAC is the reason that Princeton Review ranked Hendrix 13th “best athletics facilities” in the country (among all 2,500 four-year colleges, regardless of NCAA division) in 2009.

The 100,000-square-foot facility not only serves as the gateway to intramural sports and intercollegiate athletics at Hendrix, it’s a great resource for the Conway community, offering modern equipment in a friendly, uncrowded environment to help you meet your health and fitness goals.

The Wellness and Athletics Center offers memberships to community members with no joining fee and no annual contract.

The Aquatics Center & Bob Courtway Pool The Aquatics Center and Bob Courtway Pool features an eight-lane, 25-meter competition pool, as well as two one-meter and two three-meter diving boards. The pool utilizes a high-tech rim flow system that decreases wave activity and creates a faster swim environment.

The pool also features a retractable roof that allows fresh air to circulate throughout the pool area.

The Aquatics Center is available for birthday parties and other group rentals and also serves as the home for the Aquakids Swim Club, a Conway-based competitive

501-505-2966 or email wac@ hendrix.edu.

The WAC also offers personal training and small group training led by certified professional fitness trainers. For more information on personal training, contact Gail Lackland at 5052975 or lackland@hendrix.edu.

club for grade school and high school children.

In addition, the Aquatics Center offers a Masters Adult Swim Program, offering seven classes a week tailored to specific individual needs. For more information, contact Alyson at 501-505-2905 or hannan@hendrix.edu.

4 | FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Fitness facilities The WAC’s 7,000-squarefoot fitness center includes a cardiovascular area with treadmills, elliptical trainers, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, rowing machines and a step mill. The fitness center is also home to a complete line of selectorized strength training

equipment and free weights.

On the second floor, there is a three-lane indoor track and a movement studio, which hosts a variety of group exercise classes including kickboxing, yoga, pilates, PiYo, Zumba, indoor cycling and power pump.

For more information on community memberships, call

Birthday party rentals The pool and the WAC’s rock climbing wall (46-foot base, 26-foot tall) can be reserved for children’s birthday parties. The pool has a shallow four-foot section and a deep section that has low and high diving boards.

Parties at the rock wall allow kids the chance to climb the wall and play in the spacious recreation gym. Parties are completely private and are staffed by exceptional kidfriendly lifeguards and climbing wall attendants.

Pool parties are available on Friday evenings at 7 p.m. or Saturdays after 2 p.m. Rock wall and recreation gym parties begin at 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

For birthday party information, contact Trace Grinnell at grinnell@hendrix.edu or 501505-1584. The schedule fills up quickly so book your party as early as possible.

Conway CVB to host statewide guest service training program

Tourism is a multibillion dollar industry in The Natural State. More than 23 million visitors contributed $5.5 billion to the Arkansas economy in 2011. When it comes to tourism, first impressions can have a positive or negative effect on a visitor’s experience and, ultimately, Arkansas’ economy.

For this reason, the Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau is participating in a statewide program to ensure the Conway area continues to gain and retain busi-

ness from tourists.

The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism has established the “Welcome to Arkansas” program targeted to every person tourists may encounter during their visit to the state. As part of this program, “First Impressions” guest service training sessions will take place in cities throughout Arkansas.

The Conway CVB will host training sessions Nov. 27-28 from 2-4 p.m. at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce.

Rachel Earls, director of

destination marketing, said the program would help keep visitors coming back to the Conway community.

“In order for our city and state to compete with surrounding states for tourism dollars, we need to be the best we can be,” Earls said.

“These guest service training sessions can help instill in our frontline employees a sense of community and selfpride.”

The Welcome to Arkansas program was created in response to a survey

the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism conducted. Research showed that citizens and frontline employees knew little, or nothing, about attractions in their own area. When asked, “What is there to do?” the typical response was, “There is nothing to do here.”

Businesses that would benefit from the training include those part of the hospitality industry, such as hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

It also includes employees and managers from convenience stores, gas

stations, hospitals, retail stores, local government, banks, resorts and others that have daily contact with visitors.

“When frontline employees provide great customer service and are knowledgeable about their community, visitors want to come back,” Earls said. “A healthy tourism industry affects not only the businesses that receive tourism dollars, but the entire community and state.”

Each session can be conducted in approximately three hours and

covers the following topics: serving multiple customers at a time, giving good directions, phone etiquette, personal appearance, body language, local and state attractions, addressing angry customers, and serving international customers.

To learn more about participating in the Welcome to Arkansas program, contact Rachel Earls at 501-327-7788 or Rachel@ConwayArkansas.org. The RSVP deadline is Monday, Nov. 26.

Safety no accident at Snap-on tools

Conway manufacturer Snapon Tools has accomplished something few manufacturing companies have achieved — it has not experienced a lost-time accident for more than four years. Communication and teamwork are the hallmarks of Snap-on’s success in creating a safe work environment.

“Everyone is responsible for safety, and everyone here knows that — from the forklift drivers to the line personnel to the managers and supervisors,” said Scott Champlin, human resources and customer service manager.

Upon hire, new employees attend an hourlong safety orientation. “We introduce new employees to the sounds of our alarm systems and tell them they should report any unsafe conditions to management immediately,” Champlin said.

Each of Snap-on’s 180 employees participates in small

Randy Spencer, Levita Moore and Scott Champlin of Snap-on Tools display a banner celebrating more than 1,000 days without a losttime accident at the Conway manufacturing facility.

group communication meetings once a month. Champlin, operations manager Randy Spencer and safety manager Bruce Bailey lead the meetings and encourage associates to ask questions or recommend ways to make the workplace safer.

“Scott and I both have an open-door policy and want em-

6 | FAULKNER COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

ployees to feel free to talk to us about any potentially hazardous conditions,” Spencer said.

“We reinforce the idea that if they think they can get hurt while doing something, don’t do it.”

Champlin said unsafe conditions could range from poor lighting in the plant to exhaust fumes in the shipping area.

“No issue is too small for us to address when it comes to safety,” Champlin said. “We want our people to leave here the same way they came to work. Safety is our No. 1 goal.”

While each employee shares in the significance of reaching more than 1,500 days without a lost-time accident, Champlin and Spencer recognized two team members who were instrumental in making that happen: Levita Moore and Bruce Bailey.

“Although Bruce is relatively new to his role as safety manager, he has contributed significantly to our safety procedures,” Spencer said. “We are fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

Levita Moore has taken a leadership role in implementing the “6S” program at Snapon, which is the standard for quality control and workplace organization. The name of the

program stems from the first letters of these six words: sort, stabilize, shine, standardize, sustain and safety.

“Thanks to Levita, there is a place to store every piece of equipment or tool that is involved in doing a job,” Champlin said.

Snap-on associates were treated to a luncheon to celebrate the 1,500-day milestone.

Each employee received a gift, and managers unveiled a banner celebrating the accomplishment. Although it is a significant achievement, Champlin said it does not mean they should become complacent.

“We are proud to reach this milestone, and we wanted to take a minute to pat ourselves on the back,” he said. “However, we recognize that 1,500 days is not the goal. The goal is 2,500 days or 15,000 days. We want to keep going and keep being safe here at Snap-on.”

Conway Economy at a Glance Unemployment Rate September 2012 US ...............................7.8% Arkansas.......................7.1% Faulkner County ......... 6.9% Conway.........................5.9% *Faulkner County & Conway not Seasonally Adjusted Sales Tax Collections Conway* August 2012................... $1,945,705 2011................... $1,951,403 Percent Change (-.29%) Year to Date (August) 2012................. $15,146,346 2011................. $14,466,454 Percent Change 4.7% Annual* 2011................. $22,366,464 2010................. $21,868,102 Percent Change 2.3% *Tax Rate 1.75% Faulkner County* August 2012...................... $717,141 2011...................... $718,608 Percent Change (-.2%) Year to Date (August) 2012................... $5,651,282 2011................... $5,351,080 Percent Change 5.6% Annual* 2011................... $8,279,301 2010................... $7,834,226 Percent Change 5.7% *Tax Rate 0.5% Restaurant Sales* September 2012................. $12,904,968 2011................. $12,490,968 Percent Change 3.3% Year to Date (Sept.)

2012............... $121,607,821 2011............... $112,492,360 Percent Change 8.1% Annual Sales 2011............... $151,462,797 2010............... $139,864,203 Percent Change 8.3% *Includes mixed drink sales Hotel Sales September 2012................... $1,387,210 2011................... $1,502,929 Percent Change (-7.7%) Year to Date (Sept.)

2012................. $14,838,727 2011................. $14,358,249 Percent Change 3.3% Annual Sales 2011................. $18,662,136 2010 ............... $17,590,242 Percent Change 6.1%

Conway Building Permits Single Family Homes Permits Issued January — September 2012.................. 147 permits 2011.................. 119 permits 2010..................203 Permits Percent Change 2011-12 23.5% Annual 2011..................153 Permits 2010 ................ 223 Permits Percent Change (-31.4%) Average Construction Cost* Year to Date (Sept.)

2012...................... $208,888 2011..................... $204,868 2010...................... $172,381 Percent Change 2011-12 2.0% *Not including land or lot improvements Average Square Footage* Year to Date (Sept.)

2012............................ 3,044 2011............................ 2,887 2010............................ 2,626 Percent Change 2011-12 5.4% * Total under roof Lottery Sales Faulkner County October 2012................... $1,250,054 2011................... $1,366,360 Percent Change (-8.5%) January — October 2012................. $14,033,686 2011................. $14,011,104 Percent Change 2011-12 .16% Annual 2011................. $16,788,678 2010................. $17,540,450 Percent Change (-4.3%) Total State October 2012................. $33,691,499 2011................. $38,132,383 2012................. $36,716,063 Percent Change 2011-12 (-11.6%) January-October 2012............... $379,085,841 2011............... $399,667,763 2010............... $384,652,799 Percent Change 2011-12 (-5.1%) Annual 2011 .............. $474,879,701 2010............... $459,916,256 Percent Change 3.3%

Natural Gas Severance Tax Distribution October Faulkner County 2012........................ $12,651 2011.......................... 19,038 Percent Change (-33.6%) Conway 2012........................ $15,635 2011........................ $23,666 Percent Change (-33.9%) Year to Date (Jan.-October) Faulkner County 2012...................... $117,584 2011...................... $167,639 Percent Change (-29.8%) Conway 2012...................... $145,360 2011...................... $209,528 Percent Change (-30.6%) Annual Faulkner County 2011...................... $204,052 2010...................... $171,543 Percent Change 19.0% Conway 2011...................... $254,822 2010...................... $221,225 Percent Change (-15.2%) Wellhead Price per MCF* August 2012 ........................... $2.86 2011 ........................... $4.20 2010 ........................... $4.38 2009............................ $3.37 2008............................ $8.27 2007..................... $6.215.76 Yearly Average 2011 ......................... $3.95.

2010 ......................... $4.48.

2009 ......................... $3.67 2008.......................... $7.97 2007.......................... $6.25 2006 ......................... $6.39 2005 ......................... $7.33 2004 ......................... $5.46 2003 ......................... $4.88 2002 ......................... $2.95 *MCF=1000 cubic feet Number of Active Wells* Faulkner County............. 316 Total in Field . ............. 4,133 *As of July 31, 2012 Estimated Life Time Value of Production* Total Field.. $11,382,327,198 *As of November 31, 2011.

Information provided by pulseofconway.com

Higher Ed: OUR Economic Engine

By Roger Lewis

In 1890 Conway was not yet 20 years old. Its population was only 1,290, but the community had leaders with vision. This vision, when realized, led to the three institutions of higher education and Conway’s moniker The City of Colleges. Bold actions over the next several decades defined this community forever as well as planting the seeds for economic development.

Hendrix College was established in Altus, Arkansas, in 1884 when three conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South purchased the Central Collegiate Institute that was founded in 1876. They named it Hendrix College in 1889 after the presiding bishop Rev. Eugene Russell Hendrix. In 1890 the board of trustees requested bids from cities in Arkansas to relocate the institution of five faculty members and 150 students. Conway’s offer won the bid. In 1928 the college was merged with HendersonBrown (Arkadelphia) and planned to relocate. Again Conway’s leadership stepped up to the plate, pledged $250,000 ($150,000 cash and $100,000 in kind) to keep it here forever. The Conway Corporation was the outgrowth of that endeavor. Conway’s population in 1930 was 5,539.

At the annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention in 1891, a special committee was appointed to consider the founding of an educational institution for women. Central College, a women’s college, was established in Conway. In 1928 Central College became in financial distress and $50,000 along with that raised for Hendrix College was pledged to assist Central College.

Finally it was closed in 1947. The campus lay dormant until 1952 when the Arkansas Missionary Baptist Association purchased the property for $85,000, and Conway Baptist College opened its doors in September 1952.

The Arkansas State Legislature in 1907 created the Arkansas State Normal School for training teachers, now known as the University of Central Arkansas.

Acting Governor X. O. Pindall appointed the first board of trustees and requested bids from cities for a location. The cities submitting bids were Fort Smith, Benton, Quitman, Russellville, and Conway. The City of Conway submitted the winning bid by offering the choice of three tracts of land

and $51,753 in cash, along with other inducements. Operations at Arkansas State Normal School began on Sept. 21, 1908.

As these three institutions of higher education grew, they became a major segment of our economy. Their economic impact has many aspects: direct expenditures by the institutions, expenditures by students, secondary expenditures as a result of the direct expenditures, related expenditures by visitors and intangible human resource benefits.

The combined annual payroll of the three institutions is approximately $100 million. In addition, these institutions spend $20 million annually for local purchases of goods and services, for a total of $120 million per year in direct expenditures.

There are approximately 13,000 students enrolled in these institutions. Incidental personal and transportation expenditures, using cost of attendance financial aid guidelines, is approximately $3000 per student per academic year. This equates to $39 million.

Approximately half of the students live off campus in various housing arrangements, including living at home with parents. Room and board for these students is estimated at $7,000 per year for a total of $46 million. Student expenditures for personal items, transportation, and room and board for those living off campus total to approximately $85 million per year. The total institutional and student expenditures are approximately $205 million per year.

A well-established economic model predicts that every dollar spent on payroll, goods and services generates an additional dollar in indirect or secondary expenditures as this money turns over several times in the community. Thus the $205 million in direct expenditures for 2012, has an economic impact of $410 million (the total direct expenditures of $205 million for goods and services times two).

In addition, these three institutions have expended over the last 10 years more than $200 million for capital improvements.

This includes new buildings, land acquisition and general improvements.

Athletic, cultural, and student functions, conferences and business-related visits to these institutions draw many out-of-town visitors. These visitors frequent restaurants, engage in retail trade

and often stay overnight. It has been estimated that more than 60,000 people per year come to Conway to visit these institutions.

Using a conservative figure of $75 expenditure per person, the expenditure is $4.5 million. (The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism use $221 expenditure per person per day when estimating tourism revenue).

Overall, it is estimated that the three institutions combined economic impact on Faulkner County is approximately $420 million per year.

All of the expenditures cited above are direct and indirect impact on the local economy. There are many intangible contributions that cannot be measured or quantified. An educated workforce is one of the most important attributes that a community can have for economic development.

Thirty six percent of Conway’s residents and 26.4% of Faulkner County’s residents 25 years or older hold a bachelors degree or higher compared to 19.1% for Arkansas and 27.9 % nationally.

(Arkansas ranks next to last with West Virginia being 17.3%) This highly educated population in Faulkner County can be attributed to the fact that we have three colleges. Many of the local residents have received degrees from these institutions.

The talent that resides in these institutions-students, alumni, faculty and staff- benefit Conway and Faulkner County in ways that cannot be measured monetarily.

The higher education community in Faulkner County donates numerous hours of volunteer services, often serving in positions of leadership in non-profit agencies, schools, government entities and churches. The higher education community makes a formidable human resource contribution to Faulkner County.

The phenomenal growth that this community has had over the past 20 years, more than doubling in size from 26,000 in 1990 to 61,000 in 2012, lies in part because of its education institutions. Employers want educated employees and residents want good schools and education opportunities.

These institutions not only define Conway and Faulkner County but are a major segment of its economic engine.

More information on the economy of Faulkner County can be found at www.pulseofconway. com.

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