Chamber discusses coming growth, needed preparations

Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND
Steve Harari, president of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce (left), serves as moderator during a panel discussion at the May 18 meeting of the Chamber. Participants on the panel, with the topic "Downtown Gravette vs. 149, Competition or Opportunity?" were Tim Craig, Kim Hendren, David Keck and Rob Smith.
Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Steve Harari, president of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce (left), serves as moderator during a panel discussion at the May 18 meeting of the Chamber. Participants on the panel, with the topic "Downtown Gravette vs. 149, Competition or Opportunity?" were Tim Craig, Kim Hendren, David Keck and Rob Smith.

GRAVETTE -- Members of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce and their guests gathered for their regular meeting at the Chamber office Wednesday, May 18.

President Steve Harari welcomed Ted Lasher and Flip Smith as representatives of the Highlands Church in Bella Vista, who spoke to the group about their free cruise-in and car show on Sept. 24 which will benefit Bright Futures, Samaritan's Feet, and snack packs for Gravette students. Harari also welcomed Colton Smith, representative of Blue Line Martial Arts in Rogers, who told of the desire to find a location and expand into the Gravette area. Harari acknowledged new members Ol Loggin Sawmill, Lindsay Food Court and Southern Yank Cafe and noted that the lunch meal was provided by Southern Yank Cafe.

The main focus of the meeting was a panel discussion, moderated by Harari, on the topic, "Gravette Downtown vs. 149: Competition or Opportunity?" Panel participants were Tim Craig, principal broker at Rateliff Lifestyle Properties; Kim Hendren, former Arkansas State Senator and area developer; David Keck, Gravette building inspector and code enforcement officer; and Rob Smith, policy director at the Northwest Arkansas Council.

Harari first asked David Keck how the city is preparing for new business development, and Keck replied that the city is working to establish the proper infrastructure, including acquiring sewer rights in the anticipated high growth area. He said the city is expecting mainly commercial growth in the area of the bypass and is seeking grants as a means of acquiring funding for some projects. Rob Smith commented that the city was "super smart" to annex the land in the Hiwasse area.

Kim Hendren focused on the rich history of the area and noted that "people are more important than stuff." He said the area is going to have growth because it has what people want but he cautioned city officials and local businessmen, "Don't lose what you've got." He said individuals like Don and John Tyson, Sam Walton, J.B. Hunt and Lloyd Peterson were the key to the success of their ventures and "businesses must enlist people who are the secret to success."

Tim Craig emphasized the need for controlled growth. He said he was glad to see the city sewer going to the east and was pleased with the announcement of the new Dollar General store coming to town. He said he felt there is "no end to the possibilities" for growth in the area and he feels that, contrary to some predictions, there will not be a recession in the future," a correction, maybe, but not a recession."

When Harari asked if there were any comparable examples that Gravette can learn from, Rob Smith said that the city of Neosho, Mo., was not hurt when its major highway bypassed the downtown area and he also noted that the city of Greenland has benefited from a similar situation. He sees the proximity of the bypass as an opportunity for Gravette as it will bring more people and more revenue to the area. He said the city must make sure the downtown prospers and keep it looking good. "The community must decide what they want there and work to achieve it."

Keck commented that the expected growth brings challenges that the city must prepare for and it is doing that by updating codes and attempting to ensure that it can create safe, smart growth. He said being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and creating walkable, safe trails are two of his main goals.

Kim Hendren said that trails are a good thing but he would rather see the city spend money on roads, noting that something must be done about the downtown intersection. Tim Craig said he feels that "we can do both" if the city can just get people on board and get the right leadership that will move ahead and urge the state highway department to help address the city's problems.

Mayor Maddox said that he and his assistant have drawn up a plan to improve the intersection, submitted it to ARDOT and are awaiting its response. He said he is quite aware of the need for improved roads in the area since a study showed almost 600 additional semis and 2,200 more total vehicles coming through Gravette since the opening of the new bypass.

Brian Glenn, president of the Bank of Gravette, said he is glad to hear that the city is looking at planning and preparing for growth that will be reasonable. Jay Oliphant commented that many in the Hiwasse area have concerns about how to handle growth and still maintain greenspace, and Rob Smith said that the regional planning commission is studying ways to incorporate open areas of green space.

Kim Hendren summed up the discussion by saying that development is coming but it needs to be planned. Moderator Harari said area citizens should not abdicate their responsibility to maintain the good features of Gravette and should ensure a vibrant downtown area. Marisa Crain, owner of Gravette Nutrition on Main Street, said this can be done by creating events to bring people downtown and, she said, this takes a community that wants to work together yet embrace outsiders who bring in fresh ideas. Gravette is a unique spot, she said, and she wants citizens to recognize that and try to keep it that way.

Harari concluded the panel discussion by stressing that growth must be intentional and inviting everyone to attend the third Thursday event the next evening.

In remarks preceding the program, Harari talked about the Gravette area app and encouraged all to download the app and utilize all the valuable information available there. Businesses can publicize themselves and showcase their services and special deals, and individuals can use it to find needed services, restaurants and ongoing activities in the area.

He said the Chamber needs 1,000 downloads by July to meet its goal. He also shared a bit about the Chamber's Gravette 2030 plan, a 10-year vision he is promoting in order to help area residents be proactive and start preparing for the area's expected growth. He hopes to enlist Chamber members and city officials who will form a steering committee this summer and cooperate in forming a plan for needed infrastructure development. Their findings will be published in early 2023 and form the basis for the planned growth that is needed.

Harari announced that the Chamber had presented six $500 scholarships at the Gravette High School awards assembly. Scholarships were presented to Kali Harris, Braxton Muldoon, Conner LaBreque, Katherine Keith, Holly Robinson and Sam Mayo.

Chamber treasurer Sundee Hendren gave a brief report on the Chamber golf tournament planned for Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Scottsdale course in Bella Vista, and Harari announced a Chamber disc golf inaugural tournament scheduled Saturday, June 4, beginning at 9 a.m. at the course in Old Town Park. He invited all to attend and participate. Discs will be provided and prizes awarded.

Harari introduced Jerrie Price, coordinator for the HIRED project at the Arkansas Public School Resource Center. She said Center representatives are working with area schools to develop a career coaching model to help students reach their future career goals. Gravette school administrators and Chamber representatives have signed on to participate in the project. Students are offered pre-apprenticeship opportunities in the skilled trades and teachers and Center staff are working to coordinate with schools and area businesses to ensure that the skills they are learning in their courses align with what is actually needed in their chosen field of employment.

photo Westside Eagle Observer/SUSAN HOLLAND Jerrie Price, project coordinator for the HIRED Program sponsored by the Arkansas Public Schools Resource Center, speaks to members and guests at the May 18 meeting of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce. HIRED stands for Helping Individuals Reach Employment Dreams. Price is working with Gravette and other school districts participating in the program.