Blytheville AR Community Profile

2019 COMMUNITY GUIDE & BUSINESS RESOURCE

Blytheville

A R K A N S A S www.greaterblytheville.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 1

4/4/2019 4:31:34 PM

P

Walsh Services LLC is a Janitorial Contractor. We strive to provide our wide variety of clientele with highly professional personnel.

(903) 603-0743 AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 2

4/4/2019 4:31:35 PM

PROFESSIONAL & INDUSTRIAL STAFFING Supporting Steel Industry Training • Recruiting • Health Benefits Permanent Positions • Career Opportunities We make it easier to get hired.

Our staff knows where to find jobs – but not just any jobs.

We will help you uncover rewarding opportunities that off growth potential and great pay.

We make it easier to find reliable people.

Finding people is easy finding reliable and experience people is another thins! At Temps Plus, we provide the people you need to drive performance at all levels.

You’ve come to the right place.

Whether looking for a top job opportunity, reliable staff or you’re just interest in working with great people, you’ve come to the right place!

102 W. Walnut St. – Blytheville – 870-762-2262 606 West Keiser Ave. - Osceola - 870-563-3330 AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 3

4/4/2019 4:31:35 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 4

IAC Supply Solutions 4500 East Main Street. Blytheville, AR 72315 Automation

Electrical

Industrial

870-763-1500 Phone 800-443-3010 Toll Free

www.iaccompanies.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 4

4/4/2019 4:31:43 PM

Table of Contents 6

Welcome from the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce

8

Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce

12

History

14

Strength of Steel

20

Tourism

26

Festivals & Events

30

Recreation

32

Residential Living

34

Education

42

Health Care

46

Faith Flourishes

48

Non-profits

50

Preferred Business Listings

52

Membership Application

53

Advertiser Index

Copyright© 2019 Town Square Publications

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

155 E. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

www.townsquarepublications.com Every effort has been made to ensure the This is a Town Square Publication created and produced for the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 485 | Blytheville, AR 72316 Phone: (870) 762-2012 | Fax: (870) 762-0551 www.greaterblytheville.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 5

accuracy of the information in this publication.

The Chamber and Town Square assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray Production Manager | Joseph Nugara Editor | Gail Gaboda Senior Project Coordinator | Stefanie Nugara Content Coordinator |Olivia Scordato Graphic Designer | Kirsten Riedl Lead Sales Coordinator | Tiffany Hogan

any additions or corrections. Reproduction in

Ad Production Coordinator | Robin Frederick

whole or in part without permission of the Chamber

Directory Coordinator | Michael Sumrak

and Town Square is prohibited.

Advertising Sales | Radar Walker

4/4/2019 4:31:48 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 6

Welcome

F RO M TH E G R E ATE R B LY TH E V I L L E AR E A C H AM B E R O F COM M E RC E

OO

We welcome you

ne great rental community,

TWO GREAT LIFESTYLE CHOICES.

W estminster Village: A Great Place to Retire!

to the Blytheville

Enjoy privacy in your spacious, one level, 3 or 4 Bedroom home, and a host of amenities and social activities geared to casual retirement living.

area—land of

S outhPointe: More to Come Home to!

Families and singles of all ages are enjoying this friendly, affordable neighborhood of 3 and 4 Bedroom homes where children go to Gosnell Schools. Shady, tree-lined avenues and sidewalks border larger lots with plenty of yard space.

F urnished Corporate Homes Also Available (870) 532-6696 or 1-800-914-2516 5215 Southside Drive • Blytheville, AR 72315

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 6

Celebrating Over 20 Years!

SouthPointe

More to come home to!

steel and so much more.

www.wmv.org

4/4/2019 4:31:56 PM

B

lytheville is the proud gateway to the Arkansas Delta, only five miles away from the Mississippi River—known here as the Great River. We open the door to the Arkansas Mississippi River Valley, the Great River Road and the tremendously rich history follows the river southward. And we open the door to a level of hospitality that you may never have seen before.

Easy comfort, sociability and congeniality are our specialty here in the Blytheville community, and whether you are shopping, moving, or touring, the faces you see will be friendly.

The area also is filled with unique treasures.

The Arkansas Archeology Survey Station at the Arkansas Aeroplex has recovered artifacts over 800 years old, reflective of the sophisticated pre-Colombian culture that once existed here. Lights of the Delta, a holiday fantasy of lights, brings the Christmas season alive as the largest display of its kind in the entire mid-South.

Shopping offers unique boutiques along with your favorite big box retailers—after all, Arkansas is home to Wal-Mart!

We hope this magazine will be a valuable resource for you. You will learn a lot about Blytheville through both pictures and words, and we hope our book will give you a flavor of our city and its gracious people.

Enjoy your connection with Blytheville! If we can help you further, visit our website at greaterblytheville.com, or call at 870-762-2012. Whatever you do, I hope you are touched by the warm spirits and friendliness of our people—they are truly our finest asset!

Liz Smith Liz Smith, Executive Director Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 7

7 • www.greaterblytheville.com

Blytheville combines the comfort of small-town living with easy access to big-city amenities. Only an hour south is the historic city of Memphis, Tennessee.

Originally an agricultural community, our area now leads the nation in steel production. The former Eaker Air Force Base, closed in the early ’90s but fast becoming a tourist attraction, is now home to industry as well as sites such as the U.S. Flag Plaza and memorials to fallen aircraft.

Our goal is to make your car buying experience the best possible. Cannon Motors of Mississippi's virtual dealership offers a wide variety of new and used cars, Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Nissan, Ford, LINCOLN, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, RAM incentives, service specials, and parts savings. Conveniently located in Jackson, MS, we also serve Vicksburg, MS, and Greenwood, MS, Oxford, MS, Calhoun City, MS, Grenada, MS, Cleveland, MS, and Blytheville, AR.

Cannon Ford of Blytheville Sales: 877-771-5878

Cannon Nissan of Blytheville Sales: 866-433-4281 Nobody beats a Cannon Deal...NOBODY!!!.

It's about more than just the price, it's about the entire experience with our customers.

Cannon Ford & Nissan of Byletheville 305 North Service Road Blytheville, AR 72315 www.nobodybeatsacannondeal.com

4/4/2019 4:31:57 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 8

Greater Blytheville Area

C H AMB ER OF CO M MERCE

T

Chamber focuses on growth potential.

Over 600 people comprise committee rosters and membership rolls in this strong and growing Chamber of Commerce, all of them at work at building business and workforce for the area.

The Blytheville region, which lies in the Mississippi River Delta region of northeast Arkansas has had a tumultuous business history, and it what is a transitional area of the country, much of the work at the

The Chamber that serves the Blytheville area is unusual: While it does provide networking programs, including business after hours events, a monthly luncheon series and an annual banquet that attracts nearly 500 people, it also is the recipient of statewide awards for its programming. Ten years ago, the Chamber initiated “Money for Main,” a grant-making and lending program designed to reestablish the charm and viability of the historic downtown area of Blytheville. Multiple businesses have enhanced their storefronts, while others

he mission of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce, over 350 members strong, is to improve the business environment and enhance quality of life in the area. As such, the Chamber plays an active role in community development and economic restructuring in Blytheville. Working closely with city governments and other key organizations, such as Great River Economic Development Area Foundation and Main Street Blytheville, the Chamber strives to bring the best of all things to the area.

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 8

purchased and renovated buildings to open new businesses. The Chamber received the state award from Main Street Arkansas, as well as a nomination for a national award, for championing downtown.

The Blytheville Chamber also targets education as an important component in improving quality of life and prosperity in the area. The “Bookin’ with the Chamber” program, together with the Chamber commitment to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (called “Books from Jan,” and set up in memory of a former education committee chair) earned the Arkansas Reading Association’s Celebrate Literacy Agency Award in 2011, despite completion from many other organizations in the state. And it doesn’t stop there.

To develop initial funding for these

4/4/2019 4:31:58 PM

programs, the Chamber partnered with the iconic That Bookstore in Blytheville to produce “Stardust on Blytheville,” an onstage interview program that featured such notables as authors John Grisham, Charlaine Harris and Pat Conroy; actor George Hamilton, and political figures Laura Bush and Condoleezza Rice, and raised over $25,000.

The secret to the success of The Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce is innovate programming and partnership— the Chamber serves as a hub in its work with community organizations and it also works closely with city governments and enjoys a solid relationship with legislators at the national and state levels. 

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 9

9 • www.greaterblytheville.com

County Judge: John Alan Nelson CountyJudge@mississippicountyar.org The MississippiCounty CountyQuorum Quorum Court regular monthly meetings The Mississippi Court regular monthly meetings will will be held at the Osceola Courthouse, Osceola, AR during the 2016 be held at the Blytheville Courthouse, Blytheville, AR during the 2019 calendar year.

The Quorum Court meets theTuesday 4th Tuesday ofmonth each calendar year.

The Quorum Court meets the 4th of each at at 7 p.m.

Meetings are open to thetopublic. month 7 p.m.

Meetings are open the public.

Mississippi County, Arkansas 200 W. Walnut St. Room 204 Blytheville, AR 72315-2831

(870) 763.3212 www.mcagov.com 4/4/2019 4:31:59 PM

EE

!

F EE

www.greaterblytheville.com • 10

GGISH? S

US

LI

PI G N

Old Southern Style BBQ since 1923

Blytheville, AR 72315

701 N. Sixth Street • 870-763-

300 North Lockard Blytheville, AR 72316 (870)763-1007

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 10

4/4/2019 4:32:01 PM

If you are visiting Blytheville, visit the Chamber — see the beautiful headquarters located right in the heart of town at 300 West Walnut, and learn more about the people who make this mid-South community so special. It’s often said that the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce is “where Southern hospitality begins.” In all truth, the phrase may not have originated here, but you will find it to be well perfected art. w

11 • www.greaterblytheville.com

RUSSELL’S SALES HAS AFFORDABLE FURNITURE, WITH VERY AFFORDABLE PRICES!!

We may be small But-we have it all!

All styles of Living–Room Sets, with beautiful Bed Suites– Simmons and Serta Mattress - All Sizes - All prices. Lamps, 3pc coffee,End Tables, Dinette Sets galore - Appliances

To Fill Your Kitchen From Wall to Wall - We Carry It All!

Tires – Lawn Mowers – Echo Lawn Care!! We also Carry all our own Credit. Plus we also offer NO Credit Accts, Located in Beautiful Down town Blytheville, SEE DAVE AND SAVE

RUSSELL’S SALES “See Dave & Save”

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 11

IN-STORE FINANCING 203,209,211 W. Main - BLYTHEVILLE 763-2556 - Fax: 763-0348 “Shop Beautiful Historic Downtown Blytheville” “Shop LocaLLy”

4/4/2019 4:32:03 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 12

History

RICH I N S OI L A N D S OU L

T

reigned supreme in the Blytheville-Gosnell area. With the advent of mechanization farming required less manpower, resulting in significant cuts in the number of farm workers. Many left for jobs in other places. Cotton gins and former industry giants like Chicago Mill diminished in number or disappeared; the area suffered economic decline until the old industries were replaced by the newer industries – particularly steel-related – that now fill the industrial park and river port areas.

he Blytheville area, as part of the Mississippi River delta region of the U.S., has a lush underlying history. Literally. For deep beneath the alluvial delta soil a sophisticated pre-Columbian society has been discovered. Ongoing “digs” at the big site in Gosnell have revealed entire households, complete with pottery and artifacts galore. The region was ideal for such a big settlement, bordering the mighty Mississippi – superb for travel – and bestowing soil rich enough to grow any crop.

The history is significant, because the people of Mississippi County always have used what the land could give them.

Prior to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Mississippi County had thousands of acres of cypress and hardwood trees. With the huge demand for cheap timberland for rebuilding the Windy City, Blytheville by 1890 was no longer a sleepy, backwoods town, but a rip-roaring mill camp with looking-for-trouble honky-tonks, pool

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 12

halls, rooming houses, slick businessmen with waxed mustaches and questionable ladies.

After the woodlands were razed, residents looked to that fertile Delta soil for their livelihood, planting cotton and soybeans.

Until a quarter-century ago, agriculture

Backtracking, the town of Blytheville was founded by the Reverend H.T. Blythe, a Methodist minister who led a rather tumultuous life. Each of his five wives died, and although he died a widower in 1904, he had fathered nine children.

Blythe became a community activist and major landowner, involved in most every aspect of the town, which became known first as Blytheville. During the timber boom of the 1800s, rail transportation became essential, and as the new railway

4/4/2019 4:32:12 PM

was established, the geographic boundaries changed leaving “old Blytheville” and the new area, Blytheville.

The trees had vanished, but the people of Mississippi County learned again how to be highly prosperous. Farmers were attracted to the soil and land was cheap. As the agricultural economy bloomed, people came and brought churches, schools and merchants. Downtown Blytheville emerged as a solid family community, one that was the center of commerce and activity for the county, and the area remained a world leader in cotton production until the latter 20th century.

The heritage of Blytheville area people is not necessarily defined by toil or cotton or new industry. It is also defined in their dedication to community and their determination to become the best at whatever they do. Local organizations such as Main Street Blytheville, the Mississippi County Delta Blues Society and the Ritz Civic Center join with the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Great River

13 • www.greaterblytheville.com

In later years, when agriculture production changed so dramatically, the people of the Blytheville area were again called on to find new roads to success. Blytheville’s prime location on the Mississippi River appealed to the steel industry, as did the strong work ethic and physical willingness of farmers who provided a perfect workforce. With the arrival in the late 1980s of Nucor Steel, the area expanded industrially as the nation’s leading steel-producing County.

Economic Development Area Foundation to play integral roles, not only in the active preservation of landmarks and customs, but also in facilitating an atmosphere of love, pride and progress amongst local residents. Whether these organizations are building hometown pride by renovating storefronts of Main Street, by restoring the historic art deco Greyhound Bus Station, by inspiring awe when listening to a Delta Blues concert, or by steadily increasing job opportunities through industrial and retail recruitment, they are bringing it all back around to the one asset that is both the heritage and the future of Blytheville, Gosnell and Armorel: the people. The great people of this Mississippi Delta community prove themselves today as they have proven themselves throughout the years. They are distinguished. w

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 13

4/4/2019 4:32:15 PM

Strength of Steel

W www.greaterblytheville.com • 14

ith its rank as among the highest of steel producing areas nationwide, Blytheville is bustling with industrial activity. The steel industry arrived on the local scene in the late 1980s, drawn to the area’s centralized location and unique transportation infrastructure, which includes the Mississippi River. Today, the industry is responsible for some 5,000 of the area’s manufacturing jobs, and since steel is produced from scrap metal shipped via the river to local plants, Blytheville is home to the largest recyclers in the world.

Nucor Steel owns several mills, led by Nucor-Yamato and Nucor Steel Arkansas.

Just south of Blytheville is the newest steel manufacturer, Big River Steel. Using the most innovative technology in the industry, the variety of steel products produced in the area range from I-beams to steel coils to structural tubing, with product lines continually expanding.

It is no surprise that steel has found a home in Blytheville – the industrial area is uniquely situated, with its location just off Interstate 55, a primary U.S. north-tosouth roadway, and its ready access to the Mississippi River, an active vein of barge travel. The nearby Arkansas Aeroplex makes the area even more attractive for industrial transportation – its 11,000-

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 14

foot runway can accommodate aircraft of all sizes. Manufacturers choose the area because of an impressive list of amenities.

Most important is the highly strategic location – Blytheville is within 500 miles of 40 percent of U.S. buying power and is at the center point between Canada and Mexico. Its ideal proximity to Memphis (an hour by car) allows residents and businesses to benefit from all that a large city has to offer without having to deal with the daily frustrations of city life.

And cities such as St. Louis (200 miles away) and Little Rock (189 miles away) are easily managed day trips.

The steel story is more than just an industrial success story. It is also the story of the rich Arkansas Delta history and the resilience of a people who refuse to be defeated.

The prime location near the Mississippi River and the unusually rich soil it produces resulted in the county’s longtime stock and trade, the cotton industry.

Hundreds of workers in the area still are employed in the planting, harvesting, ginning, buying/selling and shipping of one the world’s most essential products, but modern technology – from irrigation systems to state-of-the-art implements – has drastically changed the dynamics of the cotton business in Mississippi County, which remains home to the 

4/4/2019 4:32:17 PM

15 • www.greaterblytheville.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 15

4/4/2019 4:32:18 PM

largest cotton gin in the world, which is located just west of the Blytheville.

The strong work ethic of agricultural professionals turned out to be key to steel executives – when they arrived in Blytheville, they found a ready-made workforce of people accustomed to early mornings and unyielding physical labor.

Delta farmers with Delta resilience.

An industry, based on the steel commitment, has spawned unique business. The retail sector, though it has struggled with the economics of the Delta, features leading chains such as a Wal Mart Supercenter and 96,000-squarefoot Lowe’s, along with a number of independent businesses and boutiques. 

www.greaterblytheville.com • 16

Those same principles have carried Blytheville beyond cotton and steel.

Other companies are diverse and the products they produce are assorted. From high-end electrical tools, to greeting cards, to automotive components, to margarine products – it is all part of everyday work in Mississippi County.

For instance, among the newest to the industrial landscape is Aviation Repair

Technologies, one of the nation’s leading aircraft restructuring companies.

Taking advantage of the facilities at the Arkansas Aeroplex, developed on the grounds of the former Eaker Air Force Base and including an 11,600 ft. runway, ART repairs any and every part of large aircraft. Malfunctioning coffeemakers, seats in need of reupholstering, jet engines requiring rebuild – none of these are a challenge to ART.

Restoring the Past, Building the Future.

Sierra Group & Associates Construction LLC. 870-278-5356 sgacontractors.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 16

4/4/2019 4:32:19 PM

It takes a genuine understanding of what counts to lead within this industry.

In 30 years, we have created a solid foundation for our business by building relationships and trust. Our can-do mentality reaches every aspect of our work. Our team is always on.

We are ready and reachable day or night.

5550 E. St. Hwy. 137 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-3000 www.mainlinemetals.com

17 • www.greaterblytheville.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 17

4/4/2019 4:32:21 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 18

The historic Main Street corridor takes on a charm all its own with its captivating architecture, serpentine street design and abundant flower-filled planters. Apparel,

cards and gifts, hand-poured candles, home furnishings, and home décor accessories and unusual antiques are a few of the shopping options. And Main Street was

TERRY ABSTRACT COMPANY Abstracts of Title • Title Insurance • Loan Closing Services

As one of the oldest businesses in Blytheville, Terry Abstract Company has been providing prompt, reliable, comprehensive services for the Real Estate industry for over 100 years.

Terry Abstract Company is proud to be involved with our fellow professionals in the real estate industry who make the process of buying and selling your home as effortless as possible.

405 North Broadway • Blytheville, AR 72315 • 870-762-2381 www.terryabstract.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 18

once home to the nationally acclaimed That Bookstore in Blytheville. Packed with 25,000 titles, this landmark, still preserved today, was a frequent stop on book tours, attracting best-selling authors like Sandra Brown, Malcolm Gladwell, Pat Conroy, Mary Higgins Clark, Senator Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton; and it was a regular stop for world-renowned John Grisham.

On the National Historic Registry, downtown Blytheville continues to evolve as property owners preserve history and develop unique merchandising ideas. In fact, entire Blytheville area is filled with an assortment of specialty businesses, as well as familiar chain store establishments.

Progress is important to Blytheville, particularly in an era when rural America is suffering population decline while urban trends are growing. The area’s pro-business attitude starts with government and is further supported by a multitude of organizations that work together to aggressively pursue growth and progress. Two city governments, a county economic development team, and the Chamber of Commerce work to make it easy for business to locate in the Blytheville-Gosnell area and take advantage of the incentives that will lead to greater prosperity. As that commerce develops, both businesses and residents are served by a comprehensive list of professionals.

To assist in filling workforce needs, for instance, the community features three leading employment services, each staffed by specialists in industrial and professional placement. Major banks, led by long-established Farmers Bank & Trust and Southern Bancorp, offer up-to-date financial services and lending capabilities and the area is served by a comprehensive list of attorneys, accountants and professional consultants.

4/4/2019 4:32:24 PM

We Keep Your Plant Running.

Maintenance | Construction | Piping | Engineering | Fabrication

One final point – steel or no steel – the charm of small-town living is brings a unique warmth and hospitality to the Blytheville area. While pro-business leadership and plenty of space opens the doors for a variety of industries, professional services and retail businesses alike, and wherever you go, you will find people who know the meaning of success, and where success is always accompanied by a smile and a friendly greeting. w

3859 N. COUNTY RD. 919 ARMOREL, AR 72310 TEL: (870) 762-0655 FAX: (870) 762-0749

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 19

5556 N State HWY 137 | Blytheville, AR 72315 870.762.5889 www.tsg.bz

19 • www.greaterblytheville.com

With steel as its foundation, the great location, great workforce potential, rich history and one of the lowest overall per capita tax burdens in the entire country – all this makes Blytheville a terrific place to do business, and local people have committed themselves to forging new and lasting partnerships with business and industry.

In 2003, the county created an innovative publicly-funded program to create highly competitive incentives for industrial and commercial growth. This program provides funding to incoming industry or expanding existing industry that can be used for almost any tangible aspect of growth, from the purchase of land and buildings to the construction of new infrastructure.

This exceptional commitment is the best example of the spirit in the Blytheville area: This truly is a population of residents who are absolutely focused on growth and progress.

25,000 Square Feet of Quality Home Furnishings

401 West Main 763-4409

www.HubbardandHokeFurniture.com

Free local delivery 6 ways to financing your purchase Great selection and service

4/4/2019 4:32:25 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 20

Tourism HAMPSON ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM STATE PARK

The newly expanded Hampson Archeological Museum State Park tells the story of a historical 15-acre village on the Mississippi River through artifacts and exhibits. The farming-based civilization thrived from about A.D. 1400 to 1650 on what is known as the Nodena site. People grew crops and hunted native game while also creating art and building a political structure and a trading network. The state park museum – which recently expanded to 8,500 square feet, about five times the space of its original location – is on the town square of Wilson, on the corner of US Hwy. 61 and Park Avenue. The

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 20

staff provides group and private tours.

Visitors can also enjoy a nearby picnic area in the state park. The late Dr. James K. Hampson and his family made possible the preservation of the nationally renowned collection of artifacts, which include pottery and tools.

DELTA GATEWAY MUSEUM

The Delta Gateway Museum, which is in the middle of the Blytheville Commercial Historic District, focuses on the heritage of the area, ranging from ancient artifacts to more recent cultural objects. The museum’s first permanent exhibit is about the people

4/4/2019 4:32:26 PM

Museum Commission. The museum is open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.

GREYHOUND BUS STATION

One of the most eye-catching sites in Blytheville is the historic Greyhound Bus Station, which was built in 1937 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The terminal at 109 Fifth St. is considered one of the best examples of the Art

Moderne style in Arkansas, based on the style and materials used in the construction of the station. The station is virtually unaltered from its original construction, especially the exterior. Inside the building, there are interesting exhibits about the building’s history and information about tourism sites in the area. The Blytheville Main Street organization also is based in the building, and many city events – such as the weekly Farmers Market – take place nearby throughout the year. 

21 • www.greaterblytheville.com

who were the original occupants of the Delta during what’s known as the late Mississipean Period and were discovered

by Hernando de Soto in 1541. The museum also has put together temporary exhibits on rural life, Eaker Air Force Base, the Arkansas frontier and downtown Blytheville. The museum’s aim is to create future exhibits about the development of agriculture in the area, local industries and transportation. The museum opened in 2011 and is ran by the Delta Gateway

Carney Funeral Home and Cemetery “Our Family Serving Yours”

Helping you create the tribute of a lifetime 1501 Byrum Road, Blytheville, AR 72316 | 870.838.0011 carneyfuneralhome.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 21

4/4/2019 4:32:30 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 22

WEST MAIN STREET RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRICT

A seven-block stretch of homes on West Main Street is a delightful mix of architectural styles – including Tudor, American Foursquare, Gothic Revival and Classical Revival – from the first six decades of the 20th Century. The homes

are from a major time of growth for Blytheville and earned inclusion into the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The district stretches from North Sixth Street to Division Street and includes about 50 buildings. Most of the buildings are residential, two-story, wood-frame structures.

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM

A well-preserved dry goods store that operated for much of the 20th Century in downtown Osceola is the site of the Mississippi County Historical Society Museum. The buildings, built in 1902 and 1904, became a museum in 1993 and include many furnishings from the store.

Commercial Collections, Inc.

210 West Main Blytheville, AR Tue-Fri 1:00 to 5:00 Saturdays 10:00 to 4:00

870-824-2346

www.deltagatewaymuseum.org

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 22

a debts management company 505 Hutson Street Post Office Box 3 Blytheville, AR 72316 (870)762-1095 Fax (870)-762-1162 ccibly@sbcglobal.net

Licensed Arkansas state Board of Collections Bonded with Fidelity & Deposit Co. of Maryland Member: American Collectors Associations Arkansas Collector Associations Blytheville Chamber of Commerce

4/4/2019 4:32:31 PM

Your Comfort is Our Concern Your home or business' heating and cooling systems are serious investments that are expected to be non-stop workhorses. With any machine, however, there are occasional break downs and routine maintenance that will have to take place. In those times, you want to find the quickest and most reliable company possible. Whether it is your home or your business, you want quick, professional service.

P.O. Box 1082 Blytheville, Arkansas 72316 (870) 740-0659 www.emmertheatingandair.com

301 S. Promise Land Road • Blytheville, AR 72315 • 870-763-7044

There are also many items displayed that were donated by longtime area residents, including art, documents, furniture and historic memorabilia that help show what it was like to live in the area many decades ago.

The museum includes a research center, gift shop and coffee shop. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

RITZ CIVIC CENTER

On the site of a legendary vaudeville theater from the early 1900s, the Ritz Civic Center currently plays host to a variety of live musical and theater performances and movies. The Arts Council of Mississippi County is also located in the building, and art displays are featured in the Gallery area in the lobby of the theater. Artist receptions are often held at the beginning of a new exhibit.

Live performances include national touring musical acts and regional and local theater groups. Classic movies are frequently shown in the theater, which is often featured on national lists of historic and restored theaters. 

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 23

Core Values • Integrity • Safety • Teamwork • Continuous Improvement • Philanthropy

23 • www.greaterblytheville.com

AHEAD OF THE FLOW TM

Mission • Grow • Know • Serve

4/4/2019 4:32:33 PM

THE GREAT RIVER ROAD NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY

The Blytheville area is along one of the most storied stretches of road in America – the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. Following the Mississippi River for about 3,000 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the route goes through ten states and features a variety of attractions in counties and communities along the way. In Arkansas, the area along the Mississippi is known as the Arkansas Delta Byways region and features events and key spots along the route.

www.greaterblytheville.com • 24

EAKER AIR FORCE BASE

Activity is ramping up at the former Eaker Air Force Base, which was in operation from 1942 until its closing in 1992. The 3,771-acre base property, which is about 3 miles from Blytheville, includes many businesses in the Arkansas Aeroplex area as well as the Arkansas International Airport, which has one of the longest runways in the state. Other features include Lights of the Delta, considered the largest holiday lighting display in the Mid-South, which contains 6 million lights on a 1.5-mile trail on the property; and in 2018, the East Coast Timing Association held the Arkansas 1-Mile Challenge on the property, which featured racers in sports cars and motorcycles from across the country. Also of note: 247-acres that include the former Strategic Air Command Alert and Weapons Storage Areas were listed in 2018 on the National Register of Historic Places.

JOHNNY CASH BOYHOOD HOME

The boyhood home of the legendary musical performer, which was added in

2018 to the National Register of Historic Places, was recently restored to reflect the look and feel of when Cash grew up in it.

Ray Cash and his family came to the fiveroom Dyess home in the mid-1930s after they received 20 acres of land through a government program. The home, which is owned by Arkansas State University, includes exhibits about the Dyess colony, lifestyles of area residents and how the area had an effect on Johnny Cash and his musical career. Tours of the home begin at the Dyess Colony Visitors Center, 110 Center Dr., at 9 a.m. with the last tours of the day at 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Admission is charged, at various rates.

WILSON (TOWN)

The Wilson area was once considered one of the world’s largest company towns, covering 57,000 acres and including more than 11,000 employees of the Lee Wilson Company, which boasted the “world’s largest cotton plantation.” The town incorporated in 1950 and cotton-focused parts of this legacy remain, such as a historic cotton gin and continued cotton production. In recent years, the Lawrence Group, which bought the holdings of the Wilson Company in 2010, has made many noticeable changes. Wilson is now known for its renovated Town Square Tudor buildings, including the historic Wilson Cafe; advances in education such as the

Blytheville Winnelson Industrial Plumbing & HVAC 4340 East Main Blythevelle, AR 72315 (807) 763-6462

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 24

4/4/2019 4:32:34 PM

Delta School, an innovative, independent K-12 institution; the Grange, a community gathering spot and learning location and shopping, including the first location of White’s Mercantile – owned by singer-songwriter Holly Williams – located outside of greater Nashville.

DYESS (TOWN)

25 • www.greaterblytheville.com

The town of Dyess was created in 1934 as a colony through a government program that aimed to provide tenant farmers with their own land. Named after a local cotton planter and politician William Reynolds Dyess and part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the colony included about 500 five-room farmhouses for poor Arkansas families, including the parents of music legend Johnny Cash. The project was formally ended in 1951, but the colony has been preserved through restoring several historic buildings that are now open to visitors. The Dyess Colony Visitors Center includes a gift shop and exhibits while the Dyess County Administration Building offers additional exhibits about the colony’s beginnings and the effect that the area had on Johnny Cash. The Cash family home is part of the area tour. w

1121 West Main Street Blytheville, Arkansas 870.762.1432

An elegant, dining experience g upscale p xp

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 25

4/4/2019 4:32:34 PM

Festivals & Events

O

ver 35,000 people annually visit the Mid-South's largest holiday lighting festival, Lights of the Delta. Six million lights and 48 major motion displays illuminate the 1.5 mile drive surrounded by lakes and trees.

Lights of the Delta opens every year on the Monday before Thanksgiving and closes right after Christmas.

www.greaterblytheville.com • 26

What started as a lighting display has expanded into a complete holiday experience that many visitors consider a holiday tradition. Unique displays, hayrides, visits with Santa and photo opportunities are all part of Lights of the Delta.

Jingle Bell Park lies at the half way point of the drive. Visitors can get out, walk around, and grab a cup of hot chocolate and popcorn. There are several photo opportunities and several displays available for a close-up look. The concession stand also features souvenirs, including ornaments depicting many of the displays. A new ornament is added to the collection every year.

Santa visits Jingle Bell Park every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The Blytheville High School FFA club sponsors Santa's Workshop, where children of all ages can a visit with the Jolly Old Elf and get a picture on the spot. Santa's Workshop and the picture are free to all visitors as a community service by the FFA. Hayrides are available every night by reservation. Every half hour, two trailers pull out pulled by a tractor. It is the

FESTIVALS LIGHTS OF THE DELTA

absolute best way to see the lights and, on some nights, the coldest. Each trailer holds up to 20 people and a stop at Jingle Bell Park gives riders a chance to warm up and get refreshments.

But the star of the show is always the Lights. In 2001, Charles "Bo" and Myrna Adams donated 14 displays to Main Street Blytheville. Today, over 48 displays catch the imagination of young and old alike.

New displays are added every year, so there's always something new to see. Many of the displays are unique to our festival, depicting local landmarks and celebrities, including Johnny Cash and John Grisham.

Local sponsors make it possible to keep prices affordable for everyone, with a low entrance fee and half price nights every Tuesday. In 2018, visitors came from all over Arkansas, 37 states and five countries.

The Lights have had a positive effect on tourism, since 80 percent of visitors come from outside the Blytheville area.

Light of the Delta. It's a magical place where memories are made that last a lifetime. w

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 26

Among the many holiday celebrations in the area, The Lights of the Delta is by far the most beautiful. Held at the Arkansas Aeroplex, the mid-South’s spectacular festival of lights is open to the public and attracts more than 20,000 visitors annually. The drive-through holiday wonderland features six million lights including more than 48 major motion displays spread over 40 acres. The historic downtown district in Blytheville also gets its twinkle on with thousands of sparkling lights adorning the shops and streets. For more information, visit www.lightsofthedelta.com MAYFEST

Mayfest is Blytheville’s two-day annual heritage festival. Held on an early weekend in May, the popular event brings thousands of locals and visitors to the downtown streets for live music, arts and crafts vendors, rides, food, fun contests and deep discounts on merchandise in the shops.

GOSNELL COTTON FESTIVAL

When the leaves begin to turn brilliant colors and there is a crisp coolness in the air, it’s time for the Gosnell Cotton Festival, a fall event that celebrates the importance of cotton as a vital crop in Mississippi County. The family-friendly, two-day celebration brings locals and visitors together for food, crafts, music, hog calling, a dance contest, cakewalk and other fun activities.

4/4/2019 4:32:35 PM

ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF

Just in time for fall’s cooler temperatures, the annual Chili Cook-Off brings chili teams from all over the region to share their favorite recipes. Veteran tasters know that for some chili teams, the hotter the better is the motto, while others enjoy stirring in some unique ingredients to give their recipes an edge. The event often features other food competitions, like cornbread, to keep things interesting. When your taste buds can’t take anymore, there are rides, crafts and entertainment to enjoy.

City of Blytheville

���r�

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE

One of the most highly anticipated events of the year is the Annual Christmas Parade sponsored by the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce. On the first Friday following Thanksgiving, spectators line Main Street to watch local bands, twirlers and colorful floats wind along the downtown route. The floats assembled by local businesses and nonprofit organizations are always quite a spectacle.

Sipping a cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider before or after the event is a tasty tradition.

Summer brings a bounty of local produce, and residents and visitors know the farmers market is the best place to stock up on tasty veggies and fruits. The weekly event is held from 8 to 11 a.m. near the historic Greyhound Bus Station.

Last Saturday takes place on the last Saturday of the month and features a variety of activities the whole family can enjoy including historic walks, art tours, sales at the Main Street shops, scavenger hunts and more.

27 • www.greaterblytheville.com

FARMERS MARKET/ LAST SATURDAY

124 West Walnut Street • Blytheville, AR • www.cityofblytheville.com

BUTTS ON BROADWAY

A new delight in historic downtown, BOB gives new personality to the traditional Mayfest street festival. It is an all-night affair, cooking of the butts, and the fragrance fills the air for blocks around. Winners are selected but you can bet every butt bite is a good bite–always featuring the iconic pork bar-b-que–a southern delicacy that no one can match.

JULY IN THE PARK

The beautiful Walker Park is the setting for a great community day each July. Vendors sell their wares. Non-profits tell their stories.

Children’s events and a variety of contests give the day an old-fashioned sense of fun. It can get a little warm in July on the Delta–that’s why the pool is nearby and beverages are available all around. Fun for family and friends alike, proceeds benefit local nonprofit agencies.

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 27

4/4/2019 4:32:36 PM

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 28

4/4/2019 4:32:38 PM

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 29

4/4/2019 4:32:38 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 30

Recreation

BLYTHEVILLE SPORTSPLEX

WALKER PARK

(870)763-3602 • www.cityofblytheville.com

(870)763-3602 • www.cityofblytheville.com

The Blytheville Sportsplex, located at the Thunder Bayou Recreation Area, is a multipurpose recreational facility for locals and visitors to enjoy year-round. The Sportsplex consists of ten baseball and softball fields, concession stand, four soccer fields, two large fishing ponds, two pavilions and a walking trail that winds around the entire 50-acre site. This facility is home to many baseball and softball tournaments that attract out of town families into the area regularly. This complex is the hub of recreational activity for the Blytheville community.

The City of Blytheville offers four traditional parks to its residents and visitors. Walker Park is the city’s mostvisited park and includes many amenities to enjoy. It comprises a public swimming pool, fishing pond, several picnic areas, six tennis courts, three playground areas, three pavilions, gazebo and a walking path. The park is also home to the Mississippi County Fairgrounds, which regularly brings in events. Whether it’s fishing, walking, swimming or taking in the view, Walker Park has so much to offer to its residents.

eagles, have been identified within the refuge boundaries. Other wildlife in the area includes otters, beavers, raccoons, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer and bobcats.

Mallard Lake is a 300-acre lake within the refuge that is maintained by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Created in 1967, it is a popular fishing spot and boasts the state record for largemouth bass. The visitor’s center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITES

BIG LAKE WILDLIFE REFUGE

Outdoor enthusiasts find plenty of activities in the Delta. Hunting, fishing and golf are popular outdoor pursuits along with neighborhood barbecues, fish fries and ice cream socials.

(870) 564-2429 • www.fws.gov/biglake

BLYTHEVILLE COUNTRY CLUB

Located just 15 miles west of Blytheville, Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1915 to provide a habitat and protection for migrating and wintering birds. It is an important link in the Mississippi migration corridor and has been expanded over the years to include protection for endangered species. More than 225 species of birds, including bald

Avid golfers have two beautiful courses to choose from in Blytheville. The Blytheville Country Club is a membership facility and hosts two big tournaments, the Calcutta and King Cotton, which bring in golfers from all over the region to enjoy the 18hole course, clubhouse and pro shop. Open since 2002, Thunder Bayou Golf Links offers residents and visitors a chance to play an 18-hole, par 72 course spanning 7,262 yards. The Clark and Associates-designed course features hybrid Bermuda fairways and links style topography. The course hosts a variety of events and tournaments throughout the year and is a member of the Natural State Golf Trail. For more information, visit thunderbaygolflinks.com.

Lunsford’s Flower Shop Margaret Lunsford Abbott (870) 763-7001 1505 West Main Street Blytheville, AR 72315

www.lunsfordsflowers.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 30

4/4/2019 4:32:39 PM

THUNDER BAYOU GOLF LINKS (870)532-2621 • www.thunderbayougolf.com

1121 East Main Blytheville, Arkansas 72315 870-762-5800 Phone 870-763-1326 Fax www.holidayinn.com

31 • www.greaterblytheville.com

Thunder Bayou Golf Links has been ranked one of the best public courses in Arkansas.

This municipally-owned course features five sets of tees, with yardages ranging from 4,800 to 7,200. Generous rolling fairways are framed by ample strategically placed bunkers. The vast native areas provide for masses of wildlife including bobwhite quail. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently partnered with the city on becoming a natural habitat for the quail, in efforts to increase their population in the state. Enjoy a round at Thunder Bayou in Blytheville, the Gateway to the Delta. w

BLYTHEVILLE From playing a round at Thunder Bayou Golf Course, to shopping and exploring art galleries downtown, to viewing majestic bald eagles at Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a variety of attractions await our guests.

Amenities

• Staffed Business Center • High- Speed Wireless Internet • Seven Meeting Rooms, Including the Grand Ballroom • Health & Fitness Center • Indoor & Outdoor Pools • Laundry Facilities • Complimentary Continental Breakfast • Perkins Family Restaurant & Bakery With Kids Eat Free Menu

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 31

• Bistro Eleven 21 - Fine Dining & Extensive Wine List • In-Room Coffee Maker, Microwave & Mini Fridge • 32-Inch Television • In-Room Movies & Video Games • Free Morning Newspaper • Pet Friendly

4/4/2019 4:32:46 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 32

Residential Living B

eautiful oak trees, affordable, and a quiet place to live, are what comes to mind when thinking about Blytheville, Arkansas. Here residents can enjoy historic homes, ranches, and bungalows.

Whether you are looking to raise a family, or retire, Blytheville is a great place to live. w

2017

H O U S I N G

Owner-occupied housing unit rate 2013-2017

POPULATION ESTIMATES

14,051

Median gross rent 2013-2017

Persons per household 2013-2017

51.9% $647 2.40

SUPERIOR TERMITE & PEST CONTROL, INC. We at Superior Termite & Pest Control, Inc. believe your family deserves the best protection possible.

Reliability

Workmanship

Satisfaction

We’re here when you need us.

We pay attention to the details

We exceed expectations

We offer the following services:

Termite Extermination • Pest Control • Bed Bug Eradication System General Yard Treatments • Mosquito Yard Control • Rodent Control Prompt Real Estate Inspections

Superior Termite & Pest Control, Inc. 6225 Highway 18 E • Jonesboro, AR 72401 Phone: (870) 933-6633 www.superiorpestcontrolar.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 32

HOUSEHOLDS 2013-2017

6,029

MEDIAN HOUSING VALUE

$76,200

Source: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/ blythevillecityarkansas

4/4/2019 4:32:52 PM

www.dlinc.net • (870) 762-5836

We’re a Lean Mean Cleaning Machine We offer the best deals in town with the best quality work. we use truck mount system that has it own water and power. we have an over all combined knowledge of 12 years of steam cleaning carpet, striping, waxing and buffing tile, Steam cleaning upholstry, and window cleaning.

33 • www.greaterblytheville.com

Superior Cleaning Services

Commerical/Residential

870.763.0743 Fax:

870.763.0165

• metal building erection • concrete foundations • design build turn key projects • 33 years in business

www.stracenerbrothers.com 105 Stracener Rd. Blytheville, AR 72315

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 33

• Carpet • Upholstery • Tile • Windows 4974 ECR 188, Blytheville, Arkansas (870) 776-7306

4/4/2019 4:32:58 PM

Education ARMOREL SCHOOL DISTRICT

www.greaterblytheville.com • 34

Achievement is the number one priority at Armorel School District as certified faculty member’s work together to prepare students for a successful future. As part of the district’s commitment to academic excellence, teachers enhance their skills through ongoing professional development initiatives like Response to Intervention, Connections, Cognitively Guided Instruction and Comprehensive Literacy that offer a researched-based approach to improve classroom instruction. In addition to setting high standards, the district promotes active community involvement, encourages students to join athletic teams and organizations that involve healthy competition and offer valuable lessons in problem solving and goal setting.

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 34

The district is excited to announce its plan to build a new elementary that will open fall of 2020. Not only will the students experience a beautiful, state of the art facility, the elementary will house two safe rooms along with a secure entry to ensure everyone’s safety. Academics is key at Armorel Elementary which has been recognized as a top 5 percent performing school.

Innovation is key at Armorel High School.

Armorel EAST is currently the EAST Founders winners and have had worldwide recognition regarding the students’ work on specific community involvement projects. Faculty have created flexible scheduling to incorporate academic subject integration, team teaching, community service learning opportunities and school wide book clubs. The high school’s partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College and Technical Center allows students to take college courses for concurrent credit and explore vocational opportunities. 

4/4/2019 4:33:01 PM

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 35

A Resourceful Citizens

Future Ready

w w w. a r m o r e l . k 1 2 . a r . u s

rmorel Public Schools are committed to immersing students in technology, a rigorous intergrated curriculum, gaining varied experiences while meeting their individual needs in a respectful a And safe environment.

Responsible Thinkers

Progressive Initiatives

Innovative Engaging

Connected Industrious

School of Innovation

4/4/2019 4:33:01 PM

BLYTHEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Blytheville School District is laying a foundation for the future by empowering students to challenge the status quo. Through new partnerships in the community and expanded opportunities, Blytheville schools shine as a technology-rich learning environment for the 21st century.

Blytheville School District offers an advanced curriculum and some of the most innovative teaching methods in the state. Campuses are regularly updated to ensure students have a safe and comfortable learning environment. Blytheville Public Schools are in the process of building a state-of-the-art athletic facility to host state tournaments and provide the best possible environment for the students and community.

www.greaterblytheville.com • 36

Blytheville School District has made it a point of mission to prepare every learner with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to leave us aware, eligible, and prepared to pursue higher education or workplace training. In order to fulfill that mission, the district has committed to a plan designed to empower students, support meaningful and engaging learning and make technology an important component of the learning experience, offering a 1:1 student to technology ratio at every campus.

The New Tech Network partnership has transformed teaching and learning in Blytheville. Just last year our senior class as a whole was offered more than $4.3 million in scholarships – double what was offered just a year prior. A wide variety of sports, music and art programs round out the Blytheville school experience, offering students a chance to explore their creative and athletic abilities.

The students in Blytheville School District are empowered to become highly motivated and self-directed lifelong learners, and they will be prepared to embrace college, career and community fulfillment. 

Blytheville Hampton Inn 301 N. Service Road Blytheville, AR 72315 tel: 870.763.5220 www.hamptoninn.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 36

®

4/4/2019 4:33:03 PM

BRINGING OUR BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER

COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND OUR OUR CLASSROOMS AND CLASSROOMS

TO LIFE. LIFE TO • Innovative and professional staff and educators • Student access to unrivaled technology and resources • Proven instructional methods • Positive, student-centered learning culture • Emphasis on motivating students to achieve academic success

BLYTHEVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS blythevilleschools.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 37

4/4/2019 4:33:03 PM

GOSNELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS (870) 532-4000 • www.gosnellschool.net

The Gosnell School District is a midsize environment that offers students a chance to reach their full potential in all curriculum areas, and has been rated by the Arkansas Department of Education as accredited in all areas. The district’s mission is to support each of its schools in providing the educational opportunities that enable their students to pursue and succeed in their college and career choices.

Technology is provided through a one-toone initiative and other equipment and programs to deliver and support the K-12 curriculum. A variety of extracurricular activities that promote physical activity, social development and community engagement are provided through several athletic teams and club organizations.

www.greaterblytheville.com • 38

Gosnell Elementary features a K-6 instructional program with modified self-contained classes in grades K-2 and departmentalized classes in grades 3-6.

Specialized instruction in music, art, physical education, library and guidance is also provided for K-6, and several programs have been implemented for students with specific needs and abilities. Gosnell Elementary school also provides students opportunities to build problem solving and community relations skills through projectbased learning in its EAST program.

Serving grades 7-12, Gosnell High School features a curriculum focusing on a variety of college preparatory, business and physical education courses complimented by music, art, computer related classes and vocational and school-to-work classes. Additional programs for students with special needs and abilities are also provided. Advanced placement courses are offered in math, English, science and social studies. The high school partners with Arkansas Northeastern College to provide opportunities in technical, industrial, medical and other fields of study.

XFC HPTOFMMTDIPPM OFU

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 38

4/4/2019 4:33:05 PM

KIPP DELTA

All students will learn and achieve at high levels if given the opportunity. That idea forms the core of KIPP Delta Public Schools. At KIPP Delta, the goal is to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and character strengths they need to succeed throughout their education and in the competitive world beyond.

KIPP Delta’s two schools in Blytheville are free, public charter schools and enrollment is open to all. For the 2019-20 school year, KIPP Blytheville College Preparatory School will serve grades K-6, while KIPP Blytheville Collegiate High School will serve grades 7-12.

In 2018, KIPP celebrated its inaugural graduating class.

This group of 36 students earned $7.8 million in college scholarships, including 11 full rides. Alumni are now attending college in eight different states.

KIPP’s success is driven by high expectations; strength of character; highly effective teachers and leaders, safe structured and nurturing environments.

To learn more, or to enroll your student, visit www. kippdelta.org. 

39 • www.greaterblytheville.com

Through its KIPP Through College program, KIPP provides counselors and advisors to support students as they prepare for and select the right college and career for their needs and interests. After high school, advisors help KIPP alumni navigate the social, academic, and financial challenges they might encounter while in college.

BLYTHEVILLE/GOSNELL REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY 4701 Memorial Drive Blytheville, AR 72315

Ph: 870-532-2100 Fax: 870-532-2146

www.arkansasaeroplex.org

INDUSTRIAL PARK DISTRIBUTION CENTER OFFICE PARK • AVIATION PARK

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 39

4/4/2019 4:33:08 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 40

ARKANSAS NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE

At Arkansas Northeastern College, people can join others like themselves in creating the futures they want. ANC offers access to higher education and the opportunity to prepare for a variety of career fields. ANC graduates go on to become doctors and lawyers, steel workers and welders, and business owners and industry managers.

Technical certificates and job training programs provide relevant skills for entering the workplace with better earning potential - in one year or less, in many cases. ANC can provide training for career advancement or skills for an entirely new career. Many students extend their learning beyond the classroom through internships and service learning, as well as involvement in one of the many student organizations on campus.

While being the most affordable college in the state, Arkansas Northeastern College still leads all colleges and universities in Arkansas in terms of the average fulltime wages earned by its graduates. ANC associate degree graduates earn an average full-time wage of $51,624 during students’ first year of employment. In fact, the only bachelor degree full-time wage average that exceeds ANC’s associate degree average is the medical school at UAMS. Arkansas Northeastern College is the perfect place to prepare for a successful future! w

NET N.E.T.

SYSTEMS,Inc. 1411 E. Moultrie-P.O. Box 525 Blytheville, AR 72315

(870) 762-1332 1-800-530-7660

NETSYSTEMS@SBCGLOBAL.NET

24 HOUR SERVICE

Security Systems Sales & Service

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 40

4/4/2019 4:33:14 PM

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 41

4/4/2019 5:48:37 PM

Health Care

www.greaterblytheville.com • 42

L a fu

L C c b GREAT RIVER CHARITABLE CLINIC

The Great River Charitable Clinic is an ecumenical ministry providing charitable health care to the uninsured and underinsured persons in Mississippi County Arkansas. The Clinic is a place to receive high quality medical, dental, optometric, pharmaceutical, diabetic counseling, and spiritual care at no cost for the services offered to clinic patients.

Who can Use the Great River Charitable Clinc?

Persons living in Mississippi County who: Have no health or dental insurance, are not covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or VA benefits, meet the income guideline and have been interviewed and approved.

The GRCC is located at 33 Arkansas St. in Blytheville, AR. 

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 42

4/4/2019 4:33:19 PM

Life Springs Christian Counseling, Inc.’s mission is to provide an adequate presentation of the Gospel that will lead clients to fullness of Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, and Physical life quality.

Life Springs Christian Counseling, Inc. provides faith based Christian counseling and clinical tools to help people in our community. We are dedicated to strengthening our community by helping people in need overcome life’s challenges.

CONTACT US Address: 501 Marr St (mail) 1594 South Division (Office) Blytheville, AR 72315 Web: www.lifespringschristiancounseling.org Email: contactus@lifespringscounseling.org Phone: 870.278.4013 | 870.762.2689

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 43

4/4/2019 4:33:20 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 44

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY HOSPITAL SYSTEMS

Mississippi County Hospital System is here to restore, maintain, and improve the health of everyone in the communities we serve. MCHS operates Great River Medical Center, a 99 bed acute care facility located in Blytheville, and SMC Regional Medical Center, a 25 bed critical access facility and specializes in swing bed care, located in Osceola.

The Administration team and Board have a vision to inspire hope in all who seek our help by offering the kind of care we would expect for our own families.

MCHS loves our community and is very proud to offer specialized service lines such as wound care, infusion therapy center, urology, family care clinics, and updated radiology equipment to help our community stay closer to home while receiving compassionate care.

STONEBRIDGE BLYTHEVILLE

Providing ACCESS to a Higher Level of Emergency Health Care

At StoneBridge Blytheville, we see our residents as more than people who need care. We see them as individuals, and it’s a privilege to care for them as they age.

Air Evac Lifeteam is proud to serve the residents of Blytheville and the surrounding communities! For more information, visit Lifeteam.net or like us on Facebook.

Our gracious assisted living community, with all the comforts of home, is a one-of-a-kind place, for one-of-a-kind people.

AIR EVAC LIFETEAM

With personalized attention to their individual needs. From the peace of mind that comes with our assisted living to all the social activities and creature comforts of home, we are here to make everyone feel at home. We invite you to reach out and see what StoneBridge Blytheville is all about.

Stonebridgeseniorliving.com or call anytime (970) 838-0033 “Let Our Family Care for Yours®” w

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 44

4/4/2019 4:33:23 PM

(870) 763-6300

4522 East State Hwy 18 Blytheville, AR 72316 www.midsouthsales.com/blytheville For All Your Fuel, Lubricant, Metal Working Fluids, & Filtration Needs

Providing quality petroleum products to Arkansas and surrounding states for over 50 years.

VISION: To inspire hope in all who seek our help by offering the kind of care we would expect for our own family.

VALUES: Compassion * Respect * Excellence * Accountability * Teamwork * Innovation * Nurturing * Guidance Access WWW.MCHSYS.ORG to find a physician, program or service to meet your needs The Mississippi County Hospital System works to restore, maintain, and improve the health of everyone in the area, and they do so with a vision to inspire hope by offering the kind of care one would expect for their own families. Through both facilities and a collection of clinics, MCHS has tailored our hospital system to the needs of our area, putting local patients first. They have multiple opportunities available to help local residents achieve a healthier life without ever having to leave the county. The MCHS system is staffed with the most care giving and professionally trained nursing and ancillary staff, backed by the dedication and support of the administration team. Mississippi County Hospital System is proud of their healthcare heritage, staff, services and opportunities, and it shows in all they do.

Chris Raymer, CEO, MSN, FNP-BC, APRN

45 • www.greaterblytheville.com

MISSION: To restore, maintain, and improve the health of everyone in the communities we serve.

SMC Regional Medical Center

611 West Lee Ave., Osceola, AR 72370

Great River Medical Center

1520 North Division St., Blytheville, AR 72315

WWW.MCHSYS.ORG

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 45

4/4/2019 4:33:27 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 46

Faith Flourishes

Quality | Service | On-Time Our mission is to work safely, provide the highest level of professionalism and quality workmanship at a fair price.

700 South Elm St. Blytheville Ar. 72315 870-780-6661 | arkansasmechanicalllc.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 46

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Dr. Alayna & Dr. Tommie 507 Hutson Blytheville, AR 72315 870-762-5274

321 W. MAIN STREET BLYTHEVILLE, AR 72315 870-763-2924 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

4/4/2019 4:33:29 PM

Thomas, Speight & Noble A professional Association of Certified Accountants Member of the Private Companies Practice Selection of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

420 West Walnut PO Box 205 Blytheville, AR 72316 870-762-5831 Fax 870-762-5833

1704 Hwy 67 N. PO Box 700 Pocahontas, AR 72455 870-892-2575 Fax 870-892-2576

1400 West Keiser PO Box 644 Osceola, AR 72370 870-563-2638 Fax(870-563-3794

2210 Fowler Avenue PO Box 17167 Jonesboro, AR 72403 870-932-5858 Fax 870-932-2030

T

he communities of Mississippi County are steeped in the tradition of their faith.

Blytheville’s first resident and namesake, Henry T. Blythe, was a Methodist circuit rider and a man of deep religious convictions. Faith has been the backbone of these northeastern Arkansas communities as economies have shifted, as well as their solace as fortunes have ebbed and flowed. And ultimately, it is the fiber of faith that accounts for one of the community’s primary assets — people who care about each other. As a result, hometown churches can be found interspersed throughout Blytheville neighborhoods.

Some of these churches — representing a wide variety of denominations — are historic, but new congregations continue to evolve, forming new churches that, like the old, are committed to connecting to the community with not only traditional worship services, but also with weekly activities and valuable outreach programs. w

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 47

A small city with a big heart

47 • www.greaterblytheville.com

City of Gosnell

201 S. Airbase Hwy. Gosnell, Ar. 72315 870-532-8544 office | 870-532-5958 fax

www.cityofgosnell.net

4/4/2019 4:33:32 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 48

Non-profits

A CO M M U NI T Y OF GIVERS

AAA Plumbing of Blytheville, Inc. At AAA Plumbing of Blytheville, Inc., our expert plumbers will always go beyond what is necessary to ensure that you are happy with the results of our work. We offer Residential, Commercial, and Industrial services for your convenience.

109 S. Lockard St. • Blytheville, AR 72315 Phone: (870) 763-9480 • Fax: (870) 763-2804 dkm@aaaplumbingcompany.com www.aaaplumbingofbly.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 48

4/4/2019 4:33:33 PM

A

49 • www.greaterblytheville.com

s is the case in so many small towns all across America, Blytheville is challenged to smartly progress into the future while also being certain to preserve those elements that make the community unique. One such element is the importance of non-profit agencies to handle social issues that plague our society. Blytheville is known and can be counted on for tremendous generosity. Though its Relay for Life program, a part of the American Cancer Society, Blytheville leads the nation in funds raised per capita. Similar support is driven through the local ESA organization for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The community also supports a number of local nonprofits such as the Mississippi County Union Mission, which provides shelter and food and a path to productivity for the homeless. The Haven, a women’s shelter, houses those involved in domestic violence. Other nonprofits serve a wide variety of needs in the area, from literacy development to free medical care to educational scholarships, Blytheville works to better its people. w

GREAT RIVER SNACKS VENDING 3212 East County Road 262 Blytheville, AR 72315 870-838-6040

The Arts Council of Mississippi County Mississippi County, Arkansas, Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc.

www.artsmissco.org

306 W. Main Street • Blytheville Email: artsmissco@yahoo.com

1400 N. Division/ P.O. Box 1289 Blytheville, AR 72316-1289 (870) 776-1054

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 49

870-762-1744

4/4/2019 4:33:34 PM

Preferred Business Listings Agriculture Services

Construction/Contractors

Staplcotn Whit Keasler 4149 East State Hwy. 18 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-0001 whit.keasler@staplcotn.com www.staplcotn.com

H & M Company, Inc. Roger Cook 50 Security Dr. Jackson, TN 38305-3611 (731) 660-3091 rcook@hmcompany.com

Farmers First Gin Co. Glenn Moody P.O. Box 300 Dell, AR 72426 (870) 564-2506

Custom Imprinting/ Embroider

www.greaterblytheville.com • 50

Computers Kalmer Solutions, LLC Warren Balcom 1805 Executive Square Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 336-2169 • f: (870) 336-2170 wbalcom@kalmersolutions.com

Computers & Internet

Sez Sew, Inc Kim Bingham 501 East Court St. P.O. Box 707 Dyersburg, TN 38024 (731) 285-2120 • f: (731) 285-2125 kim@sezsew.com www.sezsew.com

Dairy – Wholesale Prairie Farms Arthur Crow 301 South 2nd Ave. Paragould, AR 72451 (870) 239-2143 • f: (870) 239-2891 arthurcrow@prairiefarms.com http://prairiefarms.com

Dentists

Ally IT, INC Gerard Conners 309 Broadway, Ste. A Blytheville, AR 72316 (870) 933-1500 gconnors@allyit.net www.allyit.net allyIT is a full managed 24/7 IT support/ helpdesk. We support any size of business with over 100 years of experience. Call today for a free network audit!

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 50

Michael Williams, DDS 525 North 2nd St. Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-8323 drwilliamsdds@sbcglobal.net

Employment Agencies Dawson Employment Staffing & Transportation Services Linda Moore 617 East Sawyer St. Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-0133 • f: (870) 763-0533 linda@dawsonemployment.com http://dawsonemployment.com For the past 22 years, we have provided quality job placements throughout Mississippi Co. with offices in Blytheville, Osceola & now Jonesboro, Ark. With the addition of transportation services, they are changing lives one job & one ride at a time.

Finance & Insurance Direct Auto and Life Insurance Kelly Cornier 3710 East Main St., Ste. A Blytheville, AR 73215 (870) 824-3218 • f: (615) 564-4554 stephen.peguef@directgeneral.com www.directgeneral.com

Gym Anytime Fitness Jared Spies 301 North Service / Main Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 824-5490 • f: (501) 278-5454 kevinandrewcurtis@gmail.com http://anytimefitness.com

Health Services Mid-South Health Systems Matt Patterson 209 South Lockard Blytheville, AR 72316 (870) 763-2139 • f: (870) 972-4968 mpatterson@mshs.org www.mshs.org

4/4/2019 4:33:35 PM

Kindred at Home Johnnie Gambill, RN Branch Director Home Health 200 North 2nd St. Paragould, AR 72450 (870) 586-5095 • f: (870) 236-9610 johnnie.gambill@kindred.com

Insurance Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield 2110 Fairpark Blvd.

Jonesboro, AR 72401 (800) 299-4129

Steel-Related Manufacturers

Petroleum Products – Retail

Roto-Rooter/Hedge’s Portable Toilet Rental Randy Hedge Blytheville, AR 72450 (870) 763-4708 roto-rooter@hotmail.com http://hedgesinc.net

Real Estate – Residential/Commercial Professional Home Sales LLC Jim & Judy Willard, Brokers 1705 North Broadway St. Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 623-4663 judy@professionalhomesales.com Showing every realtors listings in the area, making sure your buying or selling experience is professionally done bringing you optimum results. Call any time.

Restaurants The Kitchen 101 West Main St. Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 780-1324 http://thekitchenblythevillear.com

Sports & Recreation Anthony Martial Arts Academies Anthony & Debbie 603 North 6th St. blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 740-5055 (A) (870) 824-9177 (D) anrthonysmith@gmail.com http://arkansasfreedomfund.org

Steel-Related Manufacturers

Harsco Metals Plant #54 Joe Burkey 5929 AR-18 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-6506 jwhitsell@harsco.com http://harsco-m.com Harsco provides steel mill services including logistics, scarfing & recycling of steel slag, metallics & waste oxides. Products available: Asphalt AGG, Road Base AGG, RR Ballast, Drainage AGG & Engineered Fill.

Telephone Service Ritter Communications 3710 East Main St., Ste. H Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 824-2400 www.getritter.info

51 • www.greaterblytheville.com

Mainline Processing Stephen Thurmond 5550 East State Highway 137 Blytheville, AR 72315 sthurmond@mainlineprocessing.com www.mainlinemetals.com (870) 763-3000 • f: (870) 763-3008 At Mainline Processing, we pride ourselves on being an effective, knowledgeable, and accessible toll processor. We work hard to pass on great quality to our customers.

Plumbers/ Plumbing Contractors

Waste Disposal

Marck Recycling & Waste Dina Massey 6734 Hwy. 141 North Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 935-1491 • f: (870) 935-1495 djohnson@marck.net www.marck.net What do all businesses have in common?

TRASH! Let us handle the dirty work while you focus on what matters most. Call today to find out why we’re the leaders in NEA.

Steel Processing Parman Energy Group Brett Harris 4384 East Main St. P. O. Box 265 Armorel, AR 72310 (870) 762-1500 bharris@parmanenergy.com http://parmanenergy.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 51

TMK Ipsco Tubulars, Inc Brandon Kohrman 5460 North State Hwy. 137 Blytheville, AR 72315 (870) 763-7700 • f: (870) 763-7991 bkohrman@tmk-ipsco.com http://ipsco.com

4/4/2019 4:33:36 PM

www.greaterblytheville.com • 52

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 52

4/4/2019 4:33:37 PM

Advertiser Index AAA Plumbing of Blytheville, Inc........................................................... 48 Acme Pest Management Inc..................................................................... 11 AIR EVAC LIFETEAM ............................................................................. 44 Arkansas Mechanical, LLC ...................................................................... 46 Arkansas Northeastern College ............................................................... 41 Armorel School District ........................................................................... 35 Baker Implement Company ..................................................................... 24 Bistro Eleven 21 ......................................................................................... 25

KIPP Blytheville College Preparatory School / KIPP Blytheville Collegiate High School ............................................ 39 Lexicon Fabricators and Constructors ................................................... 19 Life Springs Christian Counseling .......................................................... 43 Lights of the Delta ..................................................................................... 27 Lunsford’s Flower Shop, Inc. .................................................................... 30 Mailboxes & Beyond ................................................................................. 15 MainLine Processing Inc. ......................................................................... 17 Me & My Sister .......................................................................................... 46 Mid South Sales ......................................................................................... 45

Blytheville Public Schools ........................................................................ 37

Mississippi County Economic Development......................................... 55

Blytheville Sheet Metal, Inc. ..................................................................... 10

Mississippi County Electric Cooperative, Inc. ...................................... 24

Blytheville Winnelson ............................................................................... 24

Mississippi County Hospital System ....................................................... 45

Blytheville/Gosnell Regional Airport Authority ................................... 39

Mississippi County Library System......................................................... 34

Cannon Ford & Nissan of Blytheville ....................................................... 7

Mississippi County, Arkansas .................................................................... 9

Carney Funeral Home & Cemetery ........................................................ 21

Myers Aviation LLC / Myers Flyring Service Inc. ................................. 11

City of Blytheville ...................................................................................... 27

N.E.T. Systems, Inc. ................................................................................... 40

City of Gosnell ........................................................................................... 47

NIBCO ........................................................................................................ 23

Commercial Collections, Inc. .................................................................. 22

Northeast Arkansas Federal Credit Union............................................. 39

Community Action Partnership.............................................................. 49 D&L, Inc. HVAC & Sheet Metal .............................................................. 33 Daddy Rabbit’s Towing & Recovery ........................................................ 17 Delta Gateway Museum............................................................................ 22 Dixie Pig ..................................................................................................... 10 Dr. Alayna & Dr. Tommie – Cosmetic & Family Dentistry................. 46 Electrical & Industrial Supply .................................................................. 34 Emmert Heating & Air, LLC .................................................................... 23 Farmers Bank & Trust............................................................................... 40 First Baptist Church .................................................................................. 13 FrigorTec LP ............................................................................................... 14

Nucor-Yamato Steel Company...........................................................28, 29 Primetals Technologies USA LLC ........................................................... 10

53 • www.greaterblytheville.com

Blytheville Hampton Inn .......................................................................... 36

Rothrock Drug Company......................................................................... 38 Russell’s Sales.............................................................................................. 11 Sierra Group & Associates Construction LLC ...................................... 16 Southern Bancorp ..................................................................................... 56 Stracener Brothers Construction ............................................................ 33 Superior Cleaning Services ...................................................................... 33 Superior Termite & Pest Control, Inc. .................................................... 32 Systems Plant Services .............................................................................. 19 TempsPLUS Staffing .................................................................................... 3 Tenaris Hickman ....................................................................................... 54

Gosnell School District ............................................................................. 38

Terry Abstract Company .......................................................................... 18

Great River Snacks Vending..................................................................... 49

The Arts Council of Mississippi County – Ritz Civic Center .............. 49

Hays Store, Inc. .......................................................................................... 49

Thomas, Speight & Noble CPA ................................................................ 47

Holiday Inn Blytheville ............................................................................. 31

Walsh Services LLC ..................................................................................... 2

Hubbard & Hoke Furniture ..................................................................... 19

Westminster Village / SouthPointe ........................................................... 6

IAC Supply Solutions .................................................................................. 4

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 53

4/4/2019 5:26:05 PM

to our Community

THANK YOU FOR BEING O U R S E C O N D F A M I LY. Over 25 years ago, we started manufacturing high-quality pipe in Blytheville, Arkansas. Ever since, the community has welcomed us with open arms. We love working in a town where we can get involved and greet our neighbors by name.

Family remains one of our top priorities, and we are happy to be there for yours. By making opportunities accessible through afterschool programs, scholarships and technical training, we hope to continue encouraging our children to dream big.

Together, great things are on the horizon for our community.

Thank you for helping us create a better tomorrow.

Here’s to many more years together!

Connect with us at facebook.com/TenarisHickman

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 54

4/4/2019 4:33:38 PM

Mississippi County ARKANSAS Our Greatest Industry is Hard Work

LOCATION

Excellent access via road, rail, water and air. Located on both the Mississippi River and Interstate 55.

WORKFORCE

A weighted average of 4,077 employees county-wide, with an average turnover of 4% and average absenteeism of 2%.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Custom designed, client-driven and industry-specific training programs to support all facets of industrial development.

SITES

Greenfield sites available ranging from 10 to 1,500 acres, all within 50 miles of Memphis, Tennessee.

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 870-532-6084 Clif Chitwood clifchitwood@yahoo.com www.misscoeda.com wwww.greatriversupersite.com

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 55

4/4/2019 4:33:39 PM

WHAT IF WHERE YOU BANKED MATTERED?

At Southern Bancorp, it does.

You see, at Southern Bancorp we believe your OPPORTUNITY starts here.

That’s why every one of our branches is an Opportunity Center. In addition to our competitive loan rates and checking accounts our branches are a one stop financial resource shop filled with free tools and product information designed to help you build a strong financial foundation.

Stop by a branch near you or visit banksouthern.com/opportunity

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON THE PATH TO OPPORTUNITY, WE CAN HELP. financial education • credit repair • credit counseling • homebuyer counseling small business support • free tax preparation • credit builder cds home loans • consumer loans • free online learning center

AR-BLY-CW-19 design.indd 56

4/4/2019 4:33:40 PM