GRAVETTE -- Steve Harari, president of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce, welcomed guests to open the regular meeting on Oct. 19 at the Chamber office. These included Dwayne and Christine Byrd, new owners of Amark. The Byrds said they would retain the firm's 11 current employees, but they also hope to expand. They are looking for skilled machinists or mechanically inclined persons, and they noted that math skills are important.
Harari announced the addition of three new Chamber members in the last month, Megan Kane, Hair by Jessica Cubbage, and Alicia Polk. He said the Chamber has been averaging three or four new members each month and membership is now about 75. He also reported the Chamber has found new office space next door at 105 Main St. S.E. and will be moving there when the current lease ends on April 1, 2023.
Keith Putnam, a representative of RazorBox Storage, reported footing had been poured for three new buildings at its Hiwasse location.
Harari gave a short slide presentation and explained five Chamber programs that are in danger of being discontinued if additional funding is not received. These include sponsorship of the Gravette farmers market voucher programs, the Gravette 2030 Vision program, the Gravette App, the Gravitate program, and membership in the Western Benton County Alliance. He has asked for increased city funding for 2023 to ensure that these programs continue.
The announcement was made of two new Chamber projects, promotion of a Gravette Gravel Bike Race, since gravel bike racing has become quite popular, and a Hometown Christmas on Main celebration being planned for Dec. 10. This celebration will feature several vendor booths, charitable foundation booths, informational booths and holiday treat booths. Planned activities include a Kid Zone with carnival games, a live nativity or petting zoo, a business window decorating contest, area business bingo game and a Christmas tree lighting.
The day's Chamber program featured profiles of two Chamber members, 1st Employment and Quadrivium. Sarah Huffman, Stefan Dailey and Kelly Walthall, representatives of 1st Employment, explained that it is a staffing firm that works at linking persons seeking jobs with employers seeking workers. They work hard to get the right fit, assessing what skills are needed for each job and what each employer requires. Walthall commented that she had never worked for a company that takes customer service more seriously.
1st Employment was started in Fort Smith in 2011 and now also has offices in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers and Siloam Springs. Its staff is skilled in recruiting workers for industrial, professional and upper-level management positions. They noted that skilled machine operators, assembly workers, welders and forklift operators are especially in demand now.
Angela Sharp, account manager, and Herschel Cox, senior engineer, represented Quadrivium Inc., a 22-year-old firm with 30 employees which specializes in cyber security and IT processing. They are a managed security service provider and stressed that security is very important. The company already owns two buildings, including a data center in Green Forest, and has purchased the former Legacy Bank data center, in the old post office building, with plans to set it up as a Quadrivium data center.
Harari thanked everyone for attending and issued a reminder about the next meeting which will be held Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Chamber office.