NORTH METRO
NOVEMBER 2018
BUSINESS JOURNAL
Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net
NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2018
Central Arkansas holiday tradition combines commerce, community
Taking place each year in downtown Conway, “Illuminate” is a high-energy kickoff to the holiday season. More than 2,000 people gather to light the state’s tallest Christmas tree, tour downtown via horse drawn carriage, visit Santa, or ride a four-story Ferris wheel. “Illuminate is a “multi-generational event,” says Ed Linck, chief operations officer for the Conway Chamber. There is something for people of all ages. By starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving we’re establishing a tradition for families and extended families.” This year’s “Illuminate” promises to be the
biggest one ever. New holiday lighting and additional attractions downtown throughout the season are already planned. “Every year this event continues to grow,” said Kim Williams, director of the Conway Downtown Partnership. “We’ve expanded and upgraded our holiday lights. We’ve grown the scope and quality of the celebration. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase our retailers and restaurants to people from all over central Arkansas.” Saturday’s “Illuminate” events also coincide with “Small Business Saturday”, a national holiday shopping initiative designed to promote locally owned businesses.
“Downtown is home to our largest concentration of locally owned businesses and independent retailers,” said Williams. “They’re important to our economy yearround, but during the holidays they’re an amenity to thousands of visitors.” The 2018 “Illuminate” kicks off Saturday, November 24th at 2pm with an afternoon full of activities. Lights, amusements, and concessions will operate downtown through the end of the year. The season of events is presented by TriTechne, Conway Regional Health System, Miller Spectacular Attractions, Crain Hyundai, and Lumber1.
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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2018
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Townsell, Ealy receive leadership awards at graduation event 59 graduate from leadership program A former Conway mayor and a current UCA administrator were recognized for their leadership excellence during the recent Conway Area Leadership Institute (CALI) graduation event. Mayor Tab Townsell and Shaneil Ealy PhD were given the Dan Nabholz Award and the CALI award respectively. The Dan Nabholz award is given to “a graduate of the leadership program who has exhibited special leadership qualities and dedication to the community.” The CALI award recognizes the same contributions but is given to someone who is not a leadership institute alumnus. Townsell currently serves as Executive Director of Metroplan, central Arkansas’s regional planning entity. His nomination listed a number of then controversial issues he addressed as mayor that all led to a better Conway stating that he was: “not only on the right side of history
for each one. He was the chief author of that history in real time.” In July of this year, Ealy was named associate vice president for the Division of Outreach and Community Engagement at UCA. She also became director of the
Conway Area Youth Leadership Institute where she led the reinvention of the program and worked to develop its new curriculum. Ealy was a participant in the first class of the Faulkner County Youth Leadership Institute which the program she leads today. She says, “it’s come full circle for me—I’m really excited to lead those kids. We have one of the most diverse classes ever in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomics. That’s one organization I’m very passionate about.” 59 CALI graduates were recognized during the graduation event. After a spring retreat and orientation, participants attended eight day-long sessions where they learned about issues affecting the Conway area. Topics were based on the Conway2025 community plan. The 59 graduates represent the largest class in program history.
Celebrating Healthcare in the North Metro Area The Chamber opens nominations for healthcare providers and workplace wellness The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce prepares for its third annual North Metro Healthcare Awards with a call for nominations. This year, area businesses and individuals making an impact on the overall health of the community they serve will be honored in five categories: Nurse of the Year, Physician of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Healthcare Professional of the Year and Workplace Wellness. The Chamber will partner with the
University of Central Arkansas again in 2019, who will serve as the program underwriter. UCA President Houston Davis notes, “For decades, the University of Central Arkansas has worked to prepare students and alumni to be practitioners, educators and researchers across a variety of health fields. We are delighted to serve as underwriter for a program that celebrates the achievements of those in the healthcare industry.” Nominations can be submitted electronically at ConwayChamber.org through Thursday, November 22. Individuals
and businesses within Cleburne, Van Buren, Conway, Faulkner, Perry, and Pope counties and the city of Maumelle are eligible for recognition. A panel of healthcare executives from across the country will review nominations. Those selected will be recognized at the awards luncheon in late February on the University of Central Arkansas campus. For additional information on the North Metro Healthcare Awards, contact Therese Williams at Therese@ConwayArkansas.org or visit ConwayChamber.org.
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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2018
To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat
“Making Better Happen” with First Security Bank In a competitive industry like banking it can be difficult to distinguish yourself. “In Arkansas, and this part of the state specifically, customers have lots of options,” says Johnny Adams, Conway Market President & CEO for First Security Bank. “That competition challenges us to bank better. At First Security we think the best way to let people know that we will serve them well is by showing them how well we serve our customers and the community.” First Security Bank’s “Making Better Happen” campaign kicked off in early 2018 with bank staff assembling 500 Blessing Bags with food and personal care items to hand out to those in need. “Every one of our employees is committed to customer service and to community service,” says Adams. “That culture of giving back definitely crosses over into the bank experience when someone visits us in person, on the phone, or even online.” The main focus of “Making Better Happen” is the bank’s thousands of customers and how First Security can impact their lives. The bank is proud to help provide homes to many as Faulkner County’s largest mortgage producer. The Log Cabin Democrat 2018 Best of Faulkner County Reader’s Poll also voted First Security Bank – Best Bank. A title the bank has won for more than a decade. “You can’t build a great customer experience in banking (or in any other industry) without hiring the right employees. And we are so blessed at First
Security to have a great team of local bankers and Advisory Board Members,” said Adams. “It requires hiring for traits more than for technical banking skills--they want to be “Making Better Happen” for our customers and communities every day!” Adams says those traits give First Security customers a bank better experience each time they visit. “First Security Bank uses the human touch as a differentiator. The shift to digital banking is a huge factor in what it’s going to mean, moving forward, to be a relationship-building bank. The move toward digital actually increases the importance of customer service in the remaining few interactions with customers.” A customer may only meet a banker face to face once or twice, and on the phone only a bit more than that. But Adams says that it’s still possible to have a warm, human-driven
relationship. “When a customer meets a great banking employee the digital transactions feel more personal. The customer pictures that real person on the other end of even these digital experiences; a person available to help if something should ever go wrong. It’s also why we make the First Security banking center experience as engaging as possible”, says Adams. First Security Bank also keeps its many customers and friends informed using social media. OnlyinArk.com features Arkansas places, people, events and topics of interest. The bank also maintains a strong social media presence with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. The bank is also “Making Better Happen” in the community by supporting local nonprofits with financial needs or volunteers. The Give Back Even Better program encourages volunteerism and recognizes employees for their volunteer hours. This year First Security partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to encourage reading. The partnership provides children birth to 5 years an opportunity to enroll in The Imagination Library to start receiving a book a month at no cost. Dr. Houston Davis, president of the University of Central Arkansas and an Arkansas Imagination Library board member said, “I was living in Tennessee at the very early stages of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. They realized it was not just a state initiative, but a patchwork of initiatives that would grow out of communities. Thank you,
Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net
First Security, for making this a piece of your financial literacy program. When it comes to access to books, you cannot start early enough.” John Rutledge, CEO and president of First Security Bank in Central Arkansas, presented a $10,000 check to Dr. Davis and Dr. Charlotte Green, executive director of Arkansas Imagination Library. “In our local communities, we are constantly looking for ways to make better happen for families,” said Rutledge. “Imagination Library, which allows children and their parents to get a jump start on reading, is a natural partner for First Security Bank, which encourages children and their parents to get a jump start on saving through its Kids Club Savings Account program. The adoption of both of these lifelong habits from a young age is critical for generations to come.” Chris and Connie Johns and their daughter, Evey, were also part of the check presentation ceremony. Evey, who previously enrolled in Imagination Library, was randomly selected in November of 2016 to receive a $30,000 college scholarship from the Dollywood Foundation, which administers the Imagination Library. The award marked an important milestone – one million books gifted to children around the world each month. Said Chris
NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2018
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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
Johns, “As we read to Evey, we see its awesome power. We know this will help the children of Arkansas.” First Security Bank - Conway is part of First Security Bancorp which is an Arkansas-based financial service holding company with assets more than $5.5 billion and more than 1000 employees across 77 statewide locations. The company offers solutions for the financial needs of individuals, businesses, and the public sector through a network of local community banks, investment banking and wealth management services, public finance, trusts, and mortgage services. First Security is located “Only in Arkansas”, which allows us to maintain close connections with our focus on Arkansas people and communities. To learn more about First Security visit us at www.fsbank. com and www.onlyinark.com
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First Security Bank was “Making Better Happen” in 2018 The “Teal Grill” grilled over 10,000 hot dogs and hamburgers for multiple organizations, schools, nonprofits, and customer appreciations. The First Security Kids club hosted: a Christmas party with Santa, summer movie day, spring coloring contest, Conway Symphony Orchestra performance, and in 2019 will underwrite an Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre presentation. Sponsored their 16th Conway First Security Kids triathlon. The event drew more than 300 participants from multiple states while raising $12,000 for Soul Food Café. The First Security Gold Club took members to nine states and one international trip. The Gold Club also hosted a Spring Gala and an “Are You Safe” luncheon to protect against online crimes.
Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net
NOVEMBER 2018
NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
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 August-2018 Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 3.9% Arkansas ............................ 3.6% Not Seasonally Adjusted US ..................................... 3.9% Arkansas............................ 3.4% Conway.............................. 3.0% Cleburne County ................ 4.2% Conway County ................. 3.8% Faulkner County ................ 2.9% Perry County ...................... 3.7% Van Buren County .............. 4.7% 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 2018.............................$823,942 2017.............................$800,410 Percent Change................ 2.94% Tax Rate ........................... 0.50% Perry County 2018.............................$140,967 2017.............................$125,485 Percent Change.............. 12.34% Tax Rate ........................... 2.50% Van Buren County 2018.............................$353,405 2017.............................$321,343 Percent Change................ 9.98% Tax Rate ........................... 2.00%
Restaurant Sales* Year to Date (September) Sales & Use Tax Collections Conway October 2018......................$149,149,618 Conway 2017......................$139,677,250 2018..........................$2,717,311 Percent Change................ 6.78% 2017..........................$2,184,830 *Includes mixed drink sales Percent Change.............. 24.37% Tax Rate ....................... 2.125%* Hotel Sales *April 2018 increase of 0.375% Year to Date (September) Conway Cleburne County 2018........................$13,734,785 2018.............................$517,918 2017........................$13,942,729 2017.............................$470,009 Percent Change...............-1.49% Percent Change.............. 10.19% Tax Rate ........................... 1.63% Residential Building Permits Conway County Year to Date (October) 2018.............................$480,807 Conway 2017.............................$456,523 2018......................................161 Percent Change................ 5.32% 2017......................................122 Tax Rate ........................... 1.75% Percent Change.............. 31.97%
Residential Units Sold (New and Existing) Year to Date (October) Conway 2018......................................546 2017......................................951 Percent Change ............-74.18%
Percent Change ............-42.99% County Year to Date (August) Cleburne County 2018........................$61,183,354 2017........................$29,817,568 Percent Change ........... 105.19%
Conway County 2018.............................$112,918 2017...............................$95,388 Percent Change ............. 18.38%
County Year to Date (August) Cleburne County 2018......................................326 2017......................................176 Percent Change ............. 85.23%
Conway County 2018........................$10,275,538 2017..........................$8,394,144 Percent Change ............. 22.41%
Faulkner County 2018.............................$174,659 2017.............................$173,040 Percent Change ............... 0.94%
Faulkner County 2018......................$203,827,053 2017......................$210,589,680 Percent Change ..............-3.21%
Perry County 2018.............................$130,026 2017.............................$109,929 Percent Change ............. 18.28%
Perry County 2018..........................$5,331,066 2017..........................$4,067,373 Percent Change ............. 31.07%
Van Buren County 2018...............................$96,655 2017...............................$95,136 Percent Change ............... 1.60%
Conway County 2018........................................91 2017........................................88 Percent Change ............... 3.41% Faulkner County 2018....................................1167 2017....................................1217 Percent Change ..............-4.11% Perry County 2018........................................41 2017........................................37 Percent Change ............. 10.81% Van Buren County 2018......................................165 2017......................................168 Percent Change ..............-1.79% Values of Residential Units Sold Year to Date (October) Conway 2018........................$97,432,050 2017......................$170,906,125
2017.............................$169,418 Percent Change ............. 10.78%
Van Buren County 2018........................$15,948,075 2017........................$15,982,848 Percent Change ..............-0.22% Average Price of Residential Units Sold (New and Existing) Year to Date (October) Conway 2018.............................$178,447 2017.............................$179,712 Percent Change ............... -0.70% Year to Date (August) Cleburne County 2018.............................$187,679
Proud sponsor of Pulse of Conway Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Arkansas Realtors Association, and Cooperative Arkansas Realtors MLS.
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NORTH METRO BUSINESS JOURNAL
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