NORTH METRO
MARCH 2019
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Conway Regional’s four-story, 56,000-square-foot medical office building is part of the first phase of a $40 million capital investment and is expected to be completed in 2022. Story on Page 6
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conwaychamber.org
Chamber leads area group to DC More than two dozen area business leaders from healthcare, education, local government, manufacturing, and more recently made a joint visit to central Arkansas’s federal delegation in Washington DC. “The benefits are twofold,” said Jamie Gates executive vice president of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. “First, by bringing everyone on board for one trip we create a “can’t miss” event for members and staff. Second, the attendees all end up learning a lot about the local economy, each other, and their shared interests.” Lori Ross, chief development officer for Conway Regional Health system has attended the Washington DC trip for several years. She also sees the value of time spent away with other Conway area business leaders. “The dividends received from deepening the relationships with the other leaders on this
trip are as valuable as the opportunity to get in front of our congressional delagation and their staff members,” said Ross. The visit kicked off with a reception for the staffs of Congressman Hill, Senator Boozman, and Senator Cotton. Attendees were matched up with staff members who worked on their respective issues. The following day the chamber group made their way to each delegation member’s office and outlined local issues that had a federal connection. Additional meetings are scheduled for those who have business before a particular agency or trade association. One of this year’s most beneficial meetings was with the Associate Administrator for Airports at the FAA, Kirk Shaffer. Shaffer’s office represents the top airports position at the FAA, overseeing the majority of the
country’s aviation infrastructure funding. “Our delegation did great work getting us that meeting. Then Mayor Castleberry and our city airport administrator, Josh Zylks, were able to tell the Conway airports story in a compelling way,” said Gates. “Grants are not something that we typically rely on or have done a lot with in the past. But they are a meaningful form of economic development in that they import outside dollars into our economy.” Gates said that the chamber has led a similar version of this trip for approximately a decade and that the agenda is always made up of a mix of perennial and topical issues. “We’re always going to talk about higher education, infrastructure, and health care. We’re always going to advocate for our large employers like Acxiom and issues specific to their industry.”
conwaychamber.org
Gates said that one of this year’s most timely issues centered on tariffs and trade. “The steel tariffs have had a negative impact on Tokusen, Virco, and others. It was valuable to give those companies an opportunity to share real numbers and impacts with our representatives.” While the trip to DC is a busy one, Gates says that the bulk of the work comes in the weeks and months after returning. Once a relationship is created, it’s also there as issues arise. Ross says that the hospital benefits from that established dialogue. “I feel like I have a direct line to our representation in DC when our organization needs assistance and support on issues that impact our particular industry.”
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Conway to serve as Leadercast host site for eighth consecutive year Business leaders in the Conway area can access the knowledge and experience of world-renowned leaders by attending Leadercast at the University of Central Arkansas on Friday, May 10. The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce has organized a broadcast in Conway since 2012. Billed as the largest one-day leadership event in the world, Leadercast is broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of sites around the world. The simulcast allows participants to hone their leadership skills, partake in team building, and invest in their own professional development while earning CEUs. At the 2019 event, experts in organizational health will take the Leadercast Live stage to speak on the theme “Leading Healthy Teams,” helping attendees master the art and science of developing and leading healthy teams. Hosted by comedian and filmmaker Tripp Crosby, Leadercast Live will feature the following speakers: • Andy Stanley, leadership author and communicator; • Patrick Lencioni, founder of The Table Group; • Gayle King, co-host of CBS This Morning and editor-at-large of O, the Oprah Magazine; • Marcus Samuelsson, awardwinning chef, restaurateur, author, and TV personality; • Dr. Caroline Leaf, communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist; • Carla Harris, vice chairman and managing director at Morgan Stanley;
• Ginger Hardage, former senior vice president of culture and communications for Southwest Airlines; • Juliet Funt, CEO of WhiteSpace at Work; and • Craig Springer, executive director of Alpha USA. Leadercast is presented locally by Pediatrics Plus. The Conway simulcast will take place in UCA’s McCastlain Ballroom from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The Division
of Outreach and Community Engagement at UCA is the host sponsor. Individual tickets are $85 and groups of 10 or more have access to the $75 ticket rate. The cost includes leadership materials, breakfast, and lunch from Newk’s Eatery. For registration assistance or group package information, contact director of events Therese Williams at therese@conwayarkansas.org or 501-932-5411.
Register Today! Visit ConwayChamber.org/Leadercast FEATURE SPEAKERS:
PATRICK LENCIONI Founder, The Table Group
GAYLE KING Co-Host, CBS This Morning and Editor-at-Large, O, the Oprah Magazine
MARCUS SAMUELSSON Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author and TV Personality
DR. CAROLINE LEAF Communication Pathologist and Cognitive Neuroscientist
CARLA HARRIS Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
GINGER HARDAGE Former Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications, Southwest Airlines
ANDY STANLEY Leadership Author and Communicator
JULIET FUNT CEO, WhiteSpace at Work
CRAIG SPRINGER Executive Director, AlphaUSA
HOST TRIPP CROSBY Comedian and Filmmaker
Leading Healthy Teams
May 10 | UCA Campus
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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
MARCH 2019
conwaychamber.org
Annual Meeting Awards honor Conway-area businesses, individuals Bill Johnson, Dr. Terry Fiddler receive Distinguished Service Award
Retired sports radio personality and banker Bill Johnson and Dr. Terry Fiddler, dentist and executive director of Arkansas Mission of Mercy, are the 2019 recipients of the Guy W. Murphy Distinguished Service Award. Established in 1957, this award is the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s highest form of recognition and is presented annually to an individual or group who has rendered special service for the benefit of the community and has taken an active leadership role in business, civic, and social service organizations. The award is part of the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, billed as the largest business event in Conway with approximately 1,100 business and community leaders attending. The 2019 event was underwritten by Centennial Bank and presented by the University of Central Arkansas, Crafton Tull, and Conway Regional Health System. Fiddler and Johnson, along with the other individuals and businesses that received
Julie Adkisson, pictured with her husband, Bill, is the 2019 recipient of the Lloyd Westbrook Good Neighbor Award.
awards, were recognized at an invitationonly luncheon on March 5 and at Annual Meeting on March 14. Log Cabin Democrat and WINC Magazine, together with Northwestern Mutual, sponsored the Annual Meeting awards. Julie Adkisson received the Lloyd Westbrook Good Neighbor Award four her community advocacy. Since 1973, this award has been given to an individual who exemplifies outstanding service to the Conway area, going above and beyond to help others. Timothy Goodwin, founder of Arkansas Roofing Kompany, and Jim Rankin Jr., president of Trinity Development Company, were each named the 2019 Business Executive of the Year. This award recognizes the top leader at a business who is a driving force behind his or her company and works to maintain an enriched business climate and enhanced quality of life in Conway. The 2019 Young Business Leader of the
Dr. Terry Fiddler, pictured with his wife, Joyce, is a 2019 recipient of the Guy W. Murphy Distinguished Service Award.
Year award went to Kim Lane, CEO of the Conductor. This award recognizes a community business leader under the age of 40 who has helped create a more vibrant business and social environment in Conway. Business of the Year awards were presented in five categories and recognized the following business and organizations: • Outstanding Nonprofit: Conway Cradle Care • Outstanding Hospitality: Mike’s Place • Outstanding Retailer: Lefler’s Fashion • Outstanding Large Employer: Acxiom • Outstanding Small Business (tie): Yours Truly Consignment and Austin Brothers Tire The nomination period for the Annual Meeting awards was in January. Chamber of commerce professionals from California, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas selected the finalists. For more information about the 2019 Annual Meeting award recipients, visit ConwayArkansas.org.
Guy W. Murphy Distinguished Service Award recipient Bill Johnson is pictured with his wife, Rosanne, and the children of Guy Murphy, the award’s namesake: Guy Murphy Jr. (left) and Jim Murphy (right).
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MARCH 2019
NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
conwaychamber.org
Conway Regional $40M Expansion Underway
Conway Regional’s four-story, 56,000-square-foot medical office building is part of the first phase of a $40 million capital investment and is expected to be completed in 2022.
Conway Regional Health System is in the beginning stages of a $40 million capital investment that will expand and enhance services throughout the health system. Projects include additional clinic space for women’s services, a new critical care unit with increased beds and expansion of the hospital’s clinic in Greenbrier. The scope of projects also includes investment in the hospital’s pharmacy, lab and renovation of the hospital’s health and fitness center, that was completed this winter and is open to the public. “Our patients and their families have always been our number one priority at Conway Regional,” said Matt Troup, President and CEO of Conway Regional Health System. “As a comprehensive health system located in the heart of Conway, our facility must grow in order to expand current programs and continue to add new services,
technologies and staff.” Construction crews are in the process of creating additional parking on the Conway Regional campus along Robinson Avenue, behind the hospital’s Ambulatory Surgery Center. Additional parking is a requirement before construction can begin in late summer of 2019. The new, four-story medical office building will provide 56,000 square feet of space dedicated primarily to women’s health services. It will house Conway OB-Gyn and Conway Women’s Health, two of the three primary obstetrics/ gynecology practices in the city. Construction of the new medical office building will also allow expansion of the Conway Regional Neuroscience Center and Conway Regional Pain Management Services. “In 2018, more than 1,700 babies were delivered at Conway Regional Medical
Center,” said Andrew Cole, M.D., a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology at Conway Regional. “With the investments made by Conway Regional and the board of directors, together, we can continue to enhance the care provided to these families during one of the most important moments of their lives.” “The Conway Regional Women’s Center provides almost every service needed during every stage in life - gynecology, labor and delivery, lactation services, bone density testing, diabetes education and so much more,” said Debra Lawrence, M.D., a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Conway Regional Women’s Center. “Our Neonatal Special Care Nursery was the first in the state to join the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Nursery Alliance to improve care of infants at Conway Regional. The hospital also provides the only 3D mammography screenings in Faulkner County.”
conwaychamber.org
Construction of an additional floor above the hospital’s surgical services area will allow for the expansion of a new critical care unit. The unit will house new technology and 24 patient beds, with the ability to add more beds to meet future needs. One of the most visible parts of this expansion will be a new corridor along the outside of the hospital connecting the new medical office building, ambulatory surgery center and women’s center, which will
NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
create ease of access when moving through buildings for patients, family members, staff and visitors. The project also includes an expansion of Conway Regional’s clinic in Greenbrier. “We want to create a presence in the community that is more than just a clinic, but rather a destination for health and wellness in Greenbrier and the surrounding areas,” he said. In addition to expanded primary care, the campus will provide
View of newly renovated lobby at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center
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physical therapy, space for specialists to see patients and a fitness center. The multi-faceted expansion project is phase one of the hospital’s 10- to 20year strategic plan. This first phase is anticipated to be completed in 2022, with additional projects to be announced. The capital investment is funded by a bond issue approved by the hospital’s board of directors and the Conway City Council in 2018.
Locker rooms and showers were also among the renovations at the Health and Fitness Center
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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
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conwaychamber.org
Chamber accepting applications for Academic Signing Day Each year, Conway Academic Signing Day, presented by Acxiom, recognizes a select few of Conway’s high-achieving graduating seniors who have received significant academic awards and substantial scholarships. The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications from the class of 2019. Therese Williams, director of events at the Conway Area Chamber, said Academic Signing Day gives high academic achievers and their support systems the recognition
Presented by
they deserve. “Academic Signing Day is based loosely on letter of intent ceremonies for athletic scholarship recipients,” Williams said. “It gives us an opportunity to celebrate the academic success and future plans of Conway students.” Graduating seniors from Conway High School, St. Joseph High School, Conway Christian High School, and those homeschooled and living in the Conway School District are eligible to apply. Other qualifications include having a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale and APPLY being recognized TODA Y! in one of these five areas: • the recipient of a
ACADEMIC SIGNING DAY WEDNESDAY
APRIL 24, 2019
Academic Signing Day, presented by Acxiom, highlights the academic success of Conway’s high school seniors. If you graduate this year and attend Conway High School, Conway Christian High School, St. Joseph High School, or if you are home-schooled and live in the Conway school district, you are eligible to apply!
Apply Online
Visit ConwayChamber.org and select the Academic Signing Day image.
Questions?
Contact your high school counselor or Therese Williams director of events, at 501.932.5411 or Therese@ConwayArkansas.org.
ConwayChamber.org
Apply online at ConwayChamber.org by Sunday, March 31, 2019
top scholarship from a four-year accredited college or university they plan to attend; • a National Merit Scholar or National Merit Finalist designation; • acceptance into a U.S. Service Academy; • the winner of a state or national scholarship program; and • the recipient of a Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship or Governor’s Scholarship. The application is available online at conwaychamber.org/academic-signingday, and the deadline to apply is Sunday, March 31. Applicants will be notified in early April if they have been selected to participate in Academic Signing Day. The ceremony will take place Wednesday, April 24, in the McCastlain Hall Ballroom on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.
North Metro Economy at a Glance Population US ..........................325,719,178 Arkansas .....................3,004,279 Conway ...........................65,782 Cleburne County...............25,048 Conway County................20,916 Faulkner County.............123,654 Perry County....................10,348 Van Buren County.............16,506 Unemployment Rate December-2018 Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 3.9% Arkansas ............................ 3.6% Not Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 3.7% Arkansas............................ 3.7% Conway.............................. 3.1% Cleburne County ................ 4.5% Conway County ................. 4.3% Faulkner County ................ 3.2% Perry County ...................... 4.5% Van Buren County .............. 5.4% Bank Deposits June Conway County 2018...........................$1,827,728 2017...........................$1,686,727 Percent Change ............... 8.36% Cleburne County 2018..............................$554,248 2017..............................$524,244 Percent Change ............... 5.72%
Conway County 2018..............................$358,473 2017..............................$382,665 Percent Change ..............-6.32% Faulkner County 2018...........................$2,192,595 2017...........................$2,052,122 Percent Change ............... 6.85% Perry County 2018................................$72,986 2017................................$71,596 Percent Change ............... 1.94% Van Buren County 2018..............................$276,171 2017..............................$277,646 Percent Change ..............-0.53%
Faulkner County 2019.............................$949,369 2018.............................$990,813 Percent Change...............-4.18% Tax Rate ........................... 0.50% Perry County 2019.............................$135,029 2018.............................$139,746 Percent Change...............-3.38% Tax Rate ........................... 2.50% Van Buren County 2019.............................$386,178 2018.............................$407,839 Percent Change...............-5.31% Tax Rate ........................... 2.00%
Restaurant Sales* Year to Date (December) Sales & Use Tax Collections Conway February 2018......................$199,870,085 Conway 2017......................$184,557,360 2019..........................$3,251,565 Percent Change................ 8.30% 2018..........................$2,805,280 *Includes mixed drink sales Percent Change.............. 15.91% Tax Rate ......................... 2.125% Hotel Sales Year to Date (December) Cleburne County Conway 2019.............................$524,823 2018........................$17,985,410 2018.............................$520,102 2017........................$18,180,519 Percent Change................ 0.91% Percent Change...............-1.07% Tax Rate ........................... 1.63% Residential Building Conway County Permits 2019.............................$470,413 Year to Date (February) 2018.............................$460,890 Conway Percent Change................ 2.07% 2019........................................33 Tax Rate ........................... 1.75% 2018........................................14 Percent Change............ 135.71%
Residential Units Sold** (New and Existing) Year to Date (February) Conway 2019........................................75 2018......................................107 Percent Change ............-29.91% Year to Date (October) Cleburne County 2018......................................391 2017......................................337 Percent Change ............. 16.02% Conway County 2018......................................105 2017........................................88 Percent Change ............. 19.32% Faulkner County 2018....................................1324 2017....................................1418 Percent Change ..............-6.63% Perry County 2018........................................50 2017........................................43 Percent Change ............. 16.28% Van Buren County 2018......................................198 2017......................................188 Percent Change ............... 5.32% Values of Residential Units Sold** Year to Date (February) Conway 2019........................$14,311,464 2018........................$19,116,548
Percent Change ............-25.14%
2017.............................$172,151 Percent Change ............... 9.20%
Year to Date (October) Cleburne County 2018........................$77,156,762 2017........................$62,288,486 Percent Change ............. 23.87%
Conway County 2018.............................$112,917 2017...............................$95,441 Percent Change ............. 18.31%
Conway County 2018........................$12,185,487 2017..........................$9,628,108 Percent Change ............. 26.56%
Faulkner County 2018.............................$176,417 2017.............................$171,268 Percent Change................ 3.01%
Faulkner County 2018......................$249,284,518 2017......................$259,010,718 Percent Change ..............-3.76%
Perry County 2018.............................$117,486 2017.............................$128,040 Percent Change ..............-8.24%
Perry County 2018..........................$6,456,580 2017..........................$4,817,991 Percent Change ............. 34.01%
Van Buren County 2018.............................$102,740 2017...............................$97,099 Percent Change ............... 5.81%
Van Buren County 2018........................$21,909,718 2017........................$19,732,539 Percent Change ............. 11.03% Average Price of Residential Units Sold** (New and Existing) Year to Date (February) Conway 2019.............................$190,820 2018.............................$191,262 Percent Change ............... -0.23% Year to Date (October) Cleburne County 2018.............................$187,985
Proud sponsor of Pulse of Conway Sources: 2012-2016 ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, C2ER, Sperling’s Best Places, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Faulkner County Board of Realtors, Arkansas Realtors Association, and City of Conway. **Includes number & sales of residential-zoned lots
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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
conwaychamber.org
Leadership program announces Class of 2019 For more than 30 years, the Conway Area Leadership Institute has prepared emerging leaders to serve the Conway community. This year, 46 area professionals will go through the eight-month program. CALI program facilitator Ed Linck, chief operating officer at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said the class represents a cross section of Conway-area residents. “The CALI program is stronger than ever and continues to produce exceptional leaders from a variety of backgrounds, industries, and experience levels who continue the tradition of building a better Conway and improving the city we call home.” The curriculum for the Conway Area Leadership Institute is based on Conway2025, the city’s long-range strategic plan that was developed with the input of more than 1,400 area residents. The Conway2025 plan includes 132 goals spread across seven sectors: Keep Conway Active, Keep Conway Building, Keep Conway Creative, Keep Conway Learning, Keep Conway Moving, Keep Conway Safe, and Keep Conway Working. Pete Tanguay, president of CALI underwriter Rock Pond Pros, said a focus on the city’s vision and future direction is a hallmark of the leadership program. “Rock Pond Pros is excited to invest in the Conway Area Leadership Institute again in 2019,” Tanguay said.
“The opportunities and momentum for growth, while improving the quality of where we live, are tremendous for the city of Conway. “The Conway2025 plan is a clear and intentional vision for how we will seize these opportunities together. Communicating this vision to leaders who are committed to our future and plugging them in to key positions where they can make a difference is one of the most important things we can do. This is the mission of CALI, and I look forward to being a small part of its success.” Since it was established in 1988, more than 700 alumni have graduated from the program. The following individuals comprise the Class of 2019: Matt Baker, Centennial Bank; Susan Bond, Simmons Bank; Aaron Carter, Deliver Hope Inc.; Josh Carter, Northwestern Mutual; Alison Cowles, Acxiom; Charles Davis, Virco; Joshua Dewees, Dewees HVAC; Kimberly Dussetschleger, Second Baptist Church. Marcus Elliott, Conway Regional Health System; Gary Ellis, Green Bay Packaging – Arkansas Kraft Division; Brynn Everitts, Acxiom; Shawn Fason, Conway Corporation; Alan Fulgham, Integrity Insurance Group; Joseph Ganann, Metova Inc.; Osmar Garcia,
Northwestern Mutual; Melvin Gonzalez, Melvin’s Painting. Richard Hammond, University of Central Arkansas; Jeramie Hinojosa, Conway Regional Health System; Carol James, Ensono; Chris Kear, Downline; Cortney Kennedy, Faulkner County Prosecutor’s Office; Michelle King, Andy’s Frozen Custard; Daniel Littell, Rogers Group Inc.; Dierre Littleton, University of Central Arkansas. Katherine Lyons, Supreme Lending; Lisa Mahan, Community Service Inc.; Trevor Martin, Ott Insurance; Travis Mays, University of Central Arkansas; Angi McDaniel, Nabholz Construction; Bryce McGhee, Renewal Ranch; Caylin McMoran, Milestones Services Inc.; John Miller, The Blue Focus. Aaron Moore, Ritter Communications; Kenny Muhammad, Entergy Arkansas; Michael Nguyen, Crafton Tull; Hitesh Patel, KimberlyClark; Jessica Rutherford, Keller Williams Realty; LaTisha SandersJones, Conway Corporation; Rafael Soto, Kimberly-Clark; Michelle Squires, First Arkansas Bank & Trust. Timothy Sweeney, CenterPoint Energy; Jessica Tacket, Baptist Health – Conway; Corey Throneberry, First Service Bank; Daniel Tyler, Deliver Hope Inc.; Jeff Turnage, Standard Business Systems; and Matthew Young, Stoby’s Restaurant. To learn more about the Conway Area Leadership Institute, visit conwayarkansas.org/leadership.
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MARCH 2019 11
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ConwayRegional.org/Mako
501-513-5569
Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology
