Monticello Live

In a special meeting of the City Council, called by 3 of its members, Monday night, the topic of the “economic development” bid (and how it was handled at last weeks meeting) was discussed in depth.

At one point alderman Cedric Leonars described the groups earlier decision as, “Eight blind people up here that don’t know what’s going on,” referring to the council handling of bid contracts presented by MEDC and Mays & Associates for the city’s economic development.

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Thursday night the Monticello City Council accepted the bid of the Monticello Economic Development Commission, better known as the MEDC, of $280,617 for economic development services to the city over P.F. Mays & Associates, LLC’s bid of $264,000.

The problem for that decision, (which has no correct answer) comes back to the way the contract was advertised in its legal annoumcement.
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For the first time in memory, one of the city of Monticello’s “service contract” had to organizations bidding for the same contract.

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Monticello is the winner of the 2013 Arkansas Business City of Distinction Quality of Life category for cities with a population between 5,000 and 20,000 people, because of the Ridgeway Hotel renovation.

After months of dirt moving by city and county workers, as well as the UAM heavy equipment training class, rails and crossties are now being laid in place for the new rail spur at the Industrial Park, on HWY 35 East.

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The recent re-application for cities to espresse interest in being home to the state’s new veterans care home is receiving the full attention of Quorum Court, MEDC, City of Monticello, and many other local residents and organizations.

When consttucted, the $22 million dollar facility ex expected to provide over $3 million in yearly payroll.

The deadline is November.

MEDC reported that they have had on-going contact with a prospect, and it is still looking positive. They will be meeting with AEDC next week to negotiate incentives.

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The industrial “spec” speculative building, which was built as a qualification for the state’s ACE program, seems to have a local industry that will likely use the structure as part of a long term lease, for warehouse space.

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The groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of a Public Rail Access Facility in the MEDC Industrial Park was held Tuesday afternoon.

When completed the new rail spur will hook to the existing (soon to be improved) spur at Hood Packaging, and switch to a rail that will send freight cars into the Industrial Site for loading and unloading of cargo. This will likely begin with lumber.  Currently Price Lumber and occasionally Maxwell Hardwood load rail freight at the Jackson Street crossing.

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Eight local business leaders and government officials visited our elected officials in Washington D.C.Tuesday and Wednesday, to discuss our local infrastructure needs.

During their trip, members of the MEDC and 20 for the Future met with Congressman Tom Cotton, Senator Mark Pryor, and Senator John Boozman.

This photo was taken during their meeting with Senator Boozman.

As the former Centerpoint Energy property on N. Chester St. is being cleared out, with the company’s move to the Industrial Site, the property will son belong to the MEDC, in receipt of the land-swap for the gas company’s new worksite.o

The first likely tenant will be contractor’s for the city’s new water system upgrade  project.

Tommy Maxwell, vice- president of Maxwell Hardwood Flooring has submitted his resignation from the Monticello Economic Development Commission, where he served as vice-president, to accept a position on the National Hardwood Federation Board.

The Monticello City Council approved the extension of MEDC’s bid for services to the city for $268,692 (for 2013) at Tuesday nigh’ts meeting.

MEDC Report from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The Arkansas Economic Developers, a statewide organization of economic development professionals and community leaders, presented it’s yearly awards, Tuesday, including thhe 2012 Volunteer of the Year, at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Arkansas.

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MEDC Report to City Council from MonticelloLive on Vimeo.