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AUGUST 2020
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Francis M. Fine Jewelry offers customer service at its finest.
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Chamber, City of Conway seek public input on new community-wide strategic plan In November 2009, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
For example, in the Keep Conway Active section, one of the goals
launched a community-wide strategic planning process that led to
states: “Conway has a variety of park products, including parks
the creation of the Conway2025 15-year plan.
designed for special needs children, dog parks, recreational parks
Conway2025 is based on survey results from 1,400 residents
geared toward adults, and small neighborhood parks.” Braves Field,
who identified 12 focus areas from 43 options. More than 200
a baseball field and playground for special-needs individuals, was
volunteers collectively held 50 meetings to determine the final
completed in 2014, and the PetSafe Conway Dog Park opened the
132 goals. These goals are spread across seven sectors: Keep
following year.
Conway Active, Keep Conway Building, Keep Conway Creative,
One of the goals under Keep Conway Building states: “In 2025, there is a signature entrance feature
Keep Conway Learning, Keep Conway Moving, Keep Conway Safe, and Keep Conway Working. The Conway City Council voted in April 2011 to make the Conway2025 plan the official “strategic vision for the City of Conway.” Since that time, many of the goals outlined in the plan have seen measurable progress. The Chamber and a team of volunteers revisited the plan in 2015 to get a sample of the progress the community made from 2010-2014.
The Chamber and City of Conway are seeking public input to begin the process of creating a new strategic plan. A link to a five-question survey to gather public input is available at conwayarkansas.org/ futureofconway and will be open until September 25.
Two-thirds of the goals requiring action had either been accomplished
to downtown at Oak and Van Ronkle Streets.” The arch and fountain at Earl Rogers Plaza were completed in 2013. In addition to updating the community on which of the Conway2025 goals had been achieved, the 2015 report that revisited the plan also detailed which goals showed little or no progress made. The report recommended the community re-evaluate the goals that have seen little to no action and determine if they are still a priority.
It has now been a decade since the Conway2025 plan was launched
or showed progress. This progress demonstrated that Conway2025
and five years since the plan was revisited. Because the current plan is
has influenced the decisions of a number of Conway residents and
set to expire in five years, the Chamber and City of Conway are seeking
public bodies.
public input to begin the process of creating a new strategic plan.
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AUGUST 2020
These 13 individuals make up the steering committee for the Conway strategic planning process: TOP (left to right): Gilberto Garcia, Lisette Washispack, Denise Perry, Judge Troy Braswell, Amy Whitehead. MIDDLE (left to right): Crystal Floyd, Ray Kordsmeier, Dr. Hira Cheema Imad, Terry Coddington, Carl Harris. BOTTOM (left to right): Maria Kramer, Jim Rankin, Claudia McDivitt.
A link to a survey to gather public input is available at
The Chamber has named a steering committee to help lead the
conwayarkansas.org/futureofconway and will be open until Sept. 25.
volunteer committees and guide the creation of the plan after public
The five-question survey takes approximately five minutes to complete.
input is gathered. The 13 steering committee members include Judge
The first question asks respondents to select from 36 broad focus areas
Troy Braswell, Dr. Hira Cheema Imad, Terry Coddington, Crystal
which topics should be included in a strategic plan for Conway. There is
Floyd, Gilberto Garcia, Carl Harris, Maria Kramer, Ray Kordsmeier,
also an open response section to submit a topic not listed.
Claudia McDivitt, Denise Perry, Jim Rankin Jr., Lisette Washispack,
From there, respondents are asked to rank the top five topics that are most important to them. The final questions give residents an
and Amy Whitehead. Those who would like a printed copy of the survey can request
opportunity to volunteer to participate in the strategic planning process
one by calling the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce at
as a committee member.
501-327-7788. n
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UCA’s economic impact on the state exceeds $1 billion The University of Central Arkansas added $1.01 billion in income
In return for their investment, the average UCA baccalaureate degree
to the Arkansas economy and supported 19,506 jobs (one out of
graduate will earn $31,100 per year more than an individual with a high
every 85) in fiscal year 2018-19, according to a recent study that
school diploma or equivalent working in Arkansas. This amounts to
measures the economic impacts and returns on investment of the
$1.4 million in higher earnings per graduate over the course of their
university to its students, taxpayers and society.
working lives. Put in another way, for every dollar UCA students
The study was conducted by Emsi, an internationally renowned
invest in their education, they will see a return of $5.20 in higher future
provider of data for higher education and business. Results were
earnings. This is an average annual return of 19.1%, significant since
announced during the Aug.14 regularly scheduled Board of
interest earned on most savings accounts is less than 1%.
Trustees meeting. “We have always known that UCA and our high-quality academic
From a taxpayer perspective, the study indicates that UCA generates more in tax revenue than it takes. Benefits to taxpayers
programs are vital to the economy, to the future earning potential
take two forms: taxes that the state and local government collect
and career prospects of our students and to the long-term success
from the added revenue created in the state, and savings generated
of Arkansas residents,” said UCA President Houston Davis.
by the improved lifestyles of UCA students and the corresponding
“However, it is affirming to have this new, positive data as we
reduced government services. For every dollar spent by taxpayers,
look ahead and work with local and state leadership to ensure a
they receive $2.20 in added tax revenues and public sector savings
prosperous and vibrant future for our students, campus community
over the course of the students’ working lives.
and the state.” The report demonstrates the significant impact UCA students
Altogether, the social benefits of UCA equal a present value of $2.7 billion. These benefits include $2.5 billion in added income
make on the state during college and after graduation, as well as
through students’ increased lifetime earnings and increased
their overall return on investment to obtain a college degree.
business output, as well as $191.5 million in social savings related
Since 1907, students have studied at UCA and entered the
to health, crime and income assistance in Arkansas. In other
workforce with greater knowledge and skills. Today, thousands
words, for every dollar invested in UCA, Arkansans will receive
of UCA graduates are employed in Arkansas. These skilled alumni
a cumulative value of $8.60 in benefits. The benefits of this
receive higher earnings and increase the productivity of their
investment will occur for as long as UCA’s FY 2018-19 students
employers. During the analysis year of this study, UCA alumni
remain employed in the state workforce.
generated $878.4 million in added income for the state economy, which is equivalent to supporting 16,920 jobs.
For a full description of the data and approach used in the study, see the full report at uca.edu/economicimpact. n
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Francis M. Fine Jewelry offers customer service at its finest “There are times in one’s life when God truly
for Roberson’s Fine Jewelry in Little Rock and as
lays out a path for you, and then there are times
the fine jewelry buyer for Barbara/Jean LTD also
said. “On the contrary, we have design
when he lays out a path, green lights, detour
in Little Rock,” Webb said.
elements in our store from leopard-print
signs, and almost every kind of positive signal
“Conway is my home; I was born here, was
“Francis M. is not corporate at all,” she
carpet to chandeliers. Most importantly,
that you can receive to pursue something in
raised here, and have always lived here. But I
we have a welcoming environment. We
your life. In those cases, you do yourself justice
believe the time away from my comfort zone
want our customers to feel like friends
to listen.”
in Conway truly gave me the opportunity to
coming into our home and for everything
learn new sales techniques, get new education
they hear, smell, see, and touch to be luxurious
said the latter is what it took for her to take a
opportunities, and travel and meet new friends
and pleasant.”
leap of faith and open Francis M. Fine Jewelry in
within the fine jewelry business. Without that
With a background in party planning, Webb
historic downtown Conway in August 2017. The
experience, I don’t think I would have had the
prioritizes the customer experience and believes
business is named after her late father, Francis
skills and confidence it takes to run a business
those shopping for fine jewelry should get a
Marion (Frank) Hudson of Conway.
on my own.”
more personal touch rather than having the
Cindy Webb is speaking from experience. She
“It truly took my whole family’s help, lots of
feeling of entering a corporate environment.
encouragement from friends and customers, lots
“It should feel as if you are walking into our
of praying, and most importantly, the support
home, where naturally we are going to offer you
of my husband, Donald Webb, to give me the
refreshments and invite you into a place where
strength and courage to open our own jewelry
the surroundings are soft and the scent of the
store,” she said. “I knew it would be a huge
showroom delicious. You will be welcomed with
undertaking.”
open arms as friends and not just as customers.”
Cindy Webb has been in the fine jewelry
The personal touch at Francis M. Fine Jewelry
business since 1993. The Conway native is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas,
goes beyond the aesthetic. Webb and her staff Webb took aspects from everything she knew
often hand deliver repairs when a customer
where she obtained a degree in Speech
to put the store together and make her vision
can’t make it to the store or deliver gifts to their
Communication. She received a scholarship
a reality. That vision is a combination of what
homes or workplaces.
from Jewelers of America to begin her studies
she describes as “what Elizabeth Taylor would
in gemology and earned a Graduate Gemologist
have approved of and the overall experience
customers because we think of them as family,”
degree from the Gemological Institute of
one gets from watching the movie, ‘Breakfast at
Webb said.
America (GIA) in 1996.
Tiffany’s.’”
“I have been fortunate to have had the
Webb wants her customers to feel at home
“We literally do whatever we can do for our
Although her party-planning days might be over, Webb believes every day is a party at
opportunity to work in a 100-year-old family
upon entering Francis M. Fine Jewelry, so she
Francis M. “That’s what it takes to separate
jewelry store in Conway for 20 years. I was also
has made the space at 804 Front Street as cozy
brick-and-mortar stores from the internet; it’s
very fortunate to have the opportunity to work
as possible.
the experience you have while purchasing that
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Francis M. Fine Jewelry was named Favorite Jewelry Store by the readers of WINC magazine. Pictured here are owners Cindy and Donald Webb.
house financing, and more. The friendly and
the experience.”
professional staff – Cindy and Donald Webb, Whitney Glover, Mark Lutz, Hannah Laws, and
an idea that was a first for Conway. The store
Nikki Burk – all have years of experience and
concentrates on highlighting designer jewelry
love adding a bit of fun and lots of enjoyment
like Konstantino, Jude Frances, Pyrrha, Uneek
to the customer experience at Francis M. They
by Benjamin Javaheri, Vincent Peach, Norman
also have an active board of directors that offers
Covan, and many others. Webb and her friend,
guidance and advice.
Nikki Burk, even launched their own designer
Cindy and Donald Webb live in Conway with
line, Catherine Crown, in the fall of 2018, which
their three adopted cats: Jonesy, The General,
they sell at Francis M.
and Big Sam. The couple are members at
“We enjoy seeking out designers from all over
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Francis M. Fine Jewelry received the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Business of the Year Award in the Outstanding Retailer category. Representing Francis M. Fine Jewelry are (from left) goldsmith Mark Lutz, owner Cindy Webb, Donald Webb, Whitney Glover, and Zoey Rofkahr.
special jewelry piece,” she said. “It’s all about Francis M. Fine Jewelry is a designer boutique,
AUGUST 2020
Fellowship Bible Church. As lifelong Conway
The staff at Francis M. Fine Jewelry donates to the CARTI Festival of Fashion each year. Pictured at the festival are, from left, Zoey Rofkahr, Whitney Glover, Cindy Webb, pearl stringer Nikki Burk, and Bailey Burk.
Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Webb recalled a story that encapsulates her
the world and bringing them to our friends in
residents, they place a high importance on giving
commitment to providing the highest-quality
Conway,” Webb said.
back to the place they call home.
customer service (although not in a literal sense):
In addition to the designer jewelry shopping
“We love this community and try to give back
“According to a popular story, Ronald Reagan
experience, Francis M. offers on-site jewelry
and support it as much as we can. We have
called the Animal Kingdom pet shop at Harrods,
repair, custom jewelry design, jewelry
several nonprofits that we work with regularly,
a luxury department store in London, and asked
appraisals, coin evaluations, watch battery
including Alzheimer’s Arkansas, Renewal Ranch,
if they sold elephants. The agent on the line
installations and watch band adjustments,
Haven, CARTI, Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner
replied, ‘Would that be African or Asian, sir?’”
privative engagement ring consultations, in-
County, Children’s Advocacy Alliance, Conway
Now that’s customer service. n
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State Auditor’s Office Hires Mainstream Technologies For HIPAA Assessment & Alignment Changes The Office of the Arkansas State Auditor recently reached an agreement with Mainstream Technologies to conduct a cybersecurity assessment in an ongoing effort to improve their cybersecurity stance and implement best practices throughout the office. The objective of this initiative is to identify issues that could put the office at risk and potentially be exploited
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE ARKANSAS STATE AUDITOR Andrea Lea serves as the 40th Auditor of State. As one of Arkansas’s seven constitutional officers, the Auditor of State is the general accountant for the State
by bad actors. Under this agreement, if any issues are found, they will be
and serves as the payroll officer for the
addressed to lower their risk profile against cyber threats.
Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.
“Now, more than ever, cybersecurity must be a priority for all levels
In addition to these duties, the Auditor administers Arkansas’ Unclaimed Property
of government. I’m proud of our continuous efforts to stay ahead of bad
(UCP) program. Through the program, the
actors and protect Arkansans,” said Auditor of State Andrea Lea.
office connects state residents with their
“Having a partner like Mainstream Technologies in the trenches with us has empowered us to make forward-thinking changes that exceed industry standards.” Daniel Weatherly, Director of Security at Mainstream adds: “The large number of security settings available on a network and operating system are more than any one person can keep up with or check into. By using our automated best in class tools, we are able to identify and recommend configuration changes to not only align clients with the relevant regulations but improve security and lower their risk.” n
unclaimed property and allows current and past residents to collect their property at any time. For more information about the office, please go to www.auditor.ar.gov. ABOUT MAINSTREAM Since 1996, Mainstream (www. mainstream-tech.com) has evolved into one of the most established IT services companies in the Mid-South, serving clients from its Arkansas locations including headquarters in Little Rock, a second operations facility in Conway, as well as a sales office in Bentonville. Their staff of information technology professionals serves business and government customers across the nation with Managed IT Services, Custom Software Development Services, Cyber Security Services, and Hosting.
North Metro Economy at a Glance Population US ..........................328,239,523 Arkansas ....................3,017,804 Conway............................67,638 Cleburne County ..............24,919 Conway County ...............20,846 Faulkner County ............126,007 Perry County ....................10,455 Van Buren County ............16,545 Civilian Labor Force May-2020 Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................158,227,000 Arkansas.....................1,345,509 Not Seasonally Adjusted US ..........................157,975,000 Arkansas.....................1,349,503 Conway............................33,671 Cleburne County.................9,195 Conway County..................8,187 Faulkner County...............61,155 Perry County......................4,091 Van Buren County...............5,720 Unemployment Rate May-2020 Seasonally Adjusted US.................................... 13.3% Arkansas ........................... 9.6% Not Seasonally Adjusted US ................................... 13.0% Arkansas............................ 9.4% Conway............................ 10.1% Cleburne County............... 11.9% Conway County.................. 9.3% Faulkner County................. 9.3% Perry County...................... 8.5% Van Buren County............. 10.7%
Bank Deposits June Conway 2019.................... $1,835,390,000 2018.................... $1,829,012,000 Percent Change..................0.35%
Conway County 2020.............................$457,722 2019.............................$386,360 Percent Change.............. 18.47% Tax Rate........................... 1.75%
Faulkner County Cleburne County 2020.............................$816,549 2019....................... $556,697,000 2019.............................$767,028 2018....................... $554,248,000 Percent Change................ 6.46% Percent Change..................0.44% Tax Rate........................... 0.50% Conway County Perry County 2019....................... $364,163,000 2020.............................$119,195 2018....................... $358,473,000 2019.............................$102,663 Percent Change..................1.59% Percent Change.............. 16.10% Tax Rate........................... 2.50% Faulkner County
2019.................... $2,228,144,000 Van Buren County 2018.................... $2,193,879,000 Percent Change..................1.56% 2020.............................$357,466 2019.............................$294,922 Perry County Percent Change.............. 21.21% 2019......................... $65,345,000 Tax Rate........................... 2.00% 2018......................... $72,986,000 Percent Change.............. -10.47% Restaurant Sales* Van Buren County Year to Date (July) 2019....................... $278,929,000 Conway 2018....................... $276,171,000 Percent Change..................1.00% 2020......................$106,205,942 2019......................$119,998,924 Sales & Use Tax Collections Percent Change.............-11.49% *Includes mixed drink sales July Conway 2020...........................$2,676,081 2019...........................$2,609,267 Percent Change................. 2.56% Tax Rate.......................... 2.125% Cleburne County 2020.............................$521,873 2019.............................$460,209 Percent Change.............. 13.40% Tax Rate......................... 1.625%
Hotel Sales Year to Date (July) Conway 2020..........................$6,923,502 2019........................$10,492,761 Percent Change.............-34.02%
Residential Building Permits Year to Date (July) Conway 2020......................................130 2019......................................176 Percent Change.............-26.14%
Values of Residential Units Sold** Year to Date (July) Conway 2020........................$99,782,076 2019........................$89,688,149 Percent Change.............. 11.25%
Year to Date (July) Residential Units Sold** Cleburne County (New and Existing) 2020....................... $65,838,227 Year to Date (July) 2019....................... $48,420,408 Conway 2020......................................465 Percent Change..............35.97% 2019....................................3451 Conway County Percent Change................ 3.10% 2020........................$12,121,353 2019........................$11,868,800 Year to Date (July) Percent Change................ 2.13% Cleburne County Faulkner County 2020......................................313 2020. . ....................$213,301,488 2019......................................264 Percent Change.............. 18.56% 2019......................$176,501,117 Percent Change.............. 20.85% Conway County Perry County 2020........................................97 2019......................................101 2020..........................$5,299,196 Percent Change...............-3.96% 2019..........................$3,242,633 Percent Change.............. 63.42% Faulkner County Van Buren County 2020....................................1066 2019......................................931 2020........................$21,089,150 Percent Change.............. 14.50% 2019........................$17,306,655 Percent Change.............. 21.86% Perry County Average Price of 2020........................................37 Residential Units Sold** 2019........................................30 (New and Existing) Percent Change.............. 23.33% Year to Date (July) Conway Van Buren County 2020......................................156 2020..............................$214,125 2019......................................148 2019..............................$198,865 Percent Change................ 5.41% Percent Change..................7.67% **Includes sales of residential units
Year to Date (July) Cleburne County 2020.............................$210,346 2019.............................$183,411 Percent Change.............. 14.69% Conway County 2020.............................$124,962 2019.............................$117,513 Percent Change................ 6.34% Faulkner County 2020.............................$200,095 2019.............................$189,582 Percent Change ............... 5.55% Perry County 2020.............................$143,222 2019.............................$108,088 Percent Change.............. 32.50% Van Buren County 2020.............................$135,187 2019.............................$116,937 Percent Change.............. 15.61%
Proud sponsor of Pulse of Conway Sources: 2014-2018 ACS 5-Year Data Profiles, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, C2ER, Sperling’s Best Places, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Cooperative Arkansas Realtors’ Multiple Listing Services, Arkansas Realtors Association, and City of Conway.
10 AUGUST 2020
NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
Conway Regional Health System, city’s three higher education institutions announce COVID-19 partnership
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conwayarkansas.org
Conway Regional Health System, along with
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AUGUST 2020 11
The partnership focuses on recommended
new Conway Regional medical clinic in The
Central Baptist College, Hendrix College, and
best practices for each campus to keep their
Village at Hendrix, which will offer a higher
the University of Central Arkansas, announced
communities safe and healthy. The infection
level of care and service for our students
a partnership for testing and health services
prevention team at Conway Regional has
and employees and will serve the health and
related to COVID-19.
worked with the campus medical providers
wellness needs of our campus and community
to understand their needs and provide
for years to come.”
Conway Regional Health System and Conway’s three institutions of higher
guidance on prevention and testing, as
education have been collaborating for several
well as operational recommendations,
weeks to implement protocols and practices to
which are based on the health system’s
Additionally, this partnership enables robust testing for all college students in the city of Conway. Testing will occur with a provider
help ensure the health and safety of students,
management of COVID-19 since its
order and will be facilitated by Conway
faculty, and staff.
appearance in Conway in March.
Regional Laboratory Services.
During this unprecedented time, this partnership brings together innovation, collaboration, and teamwork to build on and expand upon long-established working relationships. “Each fall, the makeup of Conway changes when the City of Colleges welcomes thousands of students back to campus,” said Matt Troup, President and CEO of Conway Regional Health System. “Our partnership specific to COVID-19 with our local colleges and universities, extends beyond the bricks and
“This critical partnership will have an
“We are grateful to Conway Regional for their partnership on this critical and timely project to keep our campus and community healthy and safe.” - Ellis Arnold, Hendrix President
mortar of our medical center.” As a community, the administration at the
immediate impact in addressing COVID-19 on our campuses and will help with surge testing when and if it’s needed,” said Necie Reed, APRN at the Conway Regional Hendrix Medical Clinic. For UCA, it’s about ensuring a sustainable approach for managing COVID-19, including testing and mitigation of potential spread of the virus. “Our student health center has plans in place to support the ongoing health of our students at UCA,” said Houston Davis. “This
“We know that we are stronger and more
partnership will increase our capacity to test
campuses felt the need to pursue a local health
efficient when we work together,” said
more, and testing is an important health tool
care partnership to help address COVID-19
Houston Davis, UCA President. “We felt
to help us track COVID-19 and to implement
this fall.
that between our three colleges and Conway
mitigation strategies on our campus.”
“A college consortia with regard to
Regional Health System, we could collaborate
COVID-19 screening and testing in the
to identify solutions to meet all of our needs.”
adapted throughout this pandemic to meet
‘City of Colleges’ is ideal because it allows
The partnership is another innovative way
the needs of different populations and the
us to speak with one voice to the thousands
the campuses are coming together to build on
communities we serve,” said Matt Troup.
of employees and students on our campuses
existing relationships to address the needs of
“We have worked with each organization in
of higher education,” said Sancy Faulk, Vice
each of the campus communities.
some capacity throughout the years—whether
“At Conway Regional, we have evolved and
President for Institutional Advancement at
“We are grateful to Conway Regional for
Central Baptist College. “In a situation like
their partnership on this critical and timely
health services. This partnership came
we find ourselves in, individuals need clarity,
project to keep our campus and community
together very naturally. We have communities
and that is what this partnership will bring to
healthy and safe,” said Hendrix President
with medical needs and Conway Regional can
our campuses.”
Ellis Arnold. “We are also excited about the
meet those needs.” n
it be athletics or supporting their student
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#ConwayToGo Supporting small businesses and safe dining. Let’s support our local restaurants! Use hashtag #ConwayToGo to highlight establishments that are accommodating diners with curbside takeout, home delivery, etc. during a time when restaurant dining rooms are operating at limited capacity and social distancing is encouraged. We also invite you to join and participate in the #ConwayToGo Facebook community at facebook.com/groups/ConwayToGo.
