Community Connection -- Manac in production

Posted Thursday, June 28, 2007, at 8:09 AM

Manac Trailers, U.S.A. will begin production at the end of June to a collective community "hooray!". We will feel the pangs of Emerson Motor's departure for a long time, but the 150 jobs that Manac will create over the next few months will help to ease that pain. We continue to market the 50,000 sq ft speculative building and industrial park owned by the City and the former Emerson Motors property still owned by Emerson Electric. Here's the thing -- we don't just market buildings and land, we market the community, the region, the people. 85% of site searches begin with communities with marketable buildings, so at least we know we're not overlooked because we lack buildings. Unfortunately, rather than looking for reasons to locate in a community, site locators find reasons to mark a community off the list. We have little or no control on many factors such as port or rail service in Kennett, but we do have some control on education, crime rate, workforce, community perception. So here's where everybody can help. Please share your thoughts on any of these subjects -- and while we're at it, please help figure out a way to have a cleaner Kennett. It's not just the demolition or clean up of unsightly properties or the yard that needs to be mowed, although those are issues. It's the every day litter on parking lots and sidewalks and streets which really gives the wrong vibe to visitors or potential new businesses and industry. Everybody says that we need more restaurants and shopping places and industries -- are we willing to do what it takes?

Comments
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Jan can you tell us what is going to be going up next to Indian Park???

-- Posted by chrissieb on Fri, Jul 6, 2007, at 4:03 PM

I think it will be more soccer fields.

-- Posted by Vickie on Fri, Jul 6, 2007, at 5:35 PM

The Eastern entrance to the city is excellent. But, coming into Kennett from the West looks like an opening scene from the "Sopranos." That is,West St.Francis Kennett looks like the worst of New Jersey. The junk store, roughly, across the street from the Fire Station, with its junked fridges and washers, etc. should be closed and moved to Hayti.

-- Posted by Skeptisch on Sat, Jul 7, 2007, at 2:01 PM

hey jan, how about using all your power and might to get the city to mow the grass around the parking lot behind mitchell's drugs?

i think there was a little ol lady that got lost in those weeds last week and hasn't been heard from since.

-- Posted by bthlr on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 10:52 AM

Vickie is right - the land next to Indian Park will be developed into soccer fields, thanks to the Park Department. I don't know the exact timeline, but I'll check and get back to you on that.

The west side of town - and a few other areas do need improving. Mayor Wheeler has visited with a few property owners throughout the community about cleaning up their areas, but it sure helps the casue when people let him and the Council know they're on the right track.

Spec building - yes, the water at the front of the industrial park is an issue. We're working on that. Yes, if the City owns a building we are in a better position to negotiate a price to industrial prospects. The only empty building appropriate for an industrial prospect is the former Emerson building, and the age and varying ceiling heights make it a little more challenging to market. Emerson does have a contracted realtor and he and I have presented the information to several companies within the last year.

The reason that Manac chose the RDS building is that it was the right size, was a finished building and it fit their needs. Even if the City had "given" them the spec building, they did not have the time to expand and finish the building and site.

It is important to understand that by the time a company decides to locate in a community there has been a tremendous amount of preliminary research, discussion and planning. Once the decision is made, they want to have a facility up and running quickly - hence the need for a building.

As I said, 85% of site searches start with buildings - this number comes from the State Department of Economic Development and site consultants - not just some number I made up. The first spec building that the City owned attracted ARI to town. They wound up building their own building, but the spec building attracted them here and once they were here, one of their suppliers, Custom Steel, followed.

The spec building, (just under $500,00)the additional industrial park land $486,000), the new street within the industrial park ($200,000) and the sales tax prioritized for industrial development indicate to prospects that we want industry and that we are a community willing to invest in itself.

And that's no bull.

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 11:28 AM

Jan, Keep up the great work! P.S. Can you do something about the lack of ducks at Little River Conservation Area? AKA Jerry Paul Combs Lake. That place is such a waste of great land and opportunity for wildlife. I personally know someone who is willing to give his time to help make that a better place for us to enjoy. Who can get the ball rolling for that??

-- Posted by oefvet on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 1:20 PM

Thanks a bunch! We would need to start with the Department of Conservation, maybe the Conservation Agent. I'll see what I can find out.

We do need to promote outdoor life, particularly duck hunting. The Stuttgart, AR Chamber of Commerce estimates that the economic impact of duck hunting during the season is $1 million a day.

We are planning a outdoor sports festival for the first weekend in November, to include a duck calling contest, turkey calling contest, shooting exhibition, etc. More to come on that later.

I don't read this every day, so I may not always reply immediately. I can be reached at the Chamber, or by email to jan@kennettmo.com

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 2:53 PM

Jan is there any plans to renovate or build a new fire station the ones now look a little shabby with the nice new trucks but old buildings. I didn't now if the downtown beautification grant would help with it.

-- Posted by Kennett Resident on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 3:50 PM

The western boundary of the downtown development district is Harvey/South Jackson streets, so the fire station on St. Francis is a couple of blocks outside that area. Although there may not be any downtown grants, there could be other funds available. Chief Mallot or City Administrator Ken Goslee may have some ideas.

The Council has discussed possibilities for a new fire station for as long as I've been at the Chamber (6 yrs) and probably longer than that. Like everything, it comes down to money.

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Mon, Jul 9, 2007, at 4:32 PM

Jan, Thanks for the reply! I'm sure the great people of Kennett will keep you very busy here! =) I have hunted at Little River several times and we have to fill out cards after our hunts. I check "poor" on most of the questions on the sheet, and then add comments about the lack of food for the wildlife ect. I wonder how far those sheets make it. Surely someone is reading the comments. If so, maybe they just ignore the fact that someone graciously donated the land for a reason. (which I hope is other than letting it grow up and be an eyesore)

Outdoor festival sounds great! Thank you for all your work with that.

Last year I met several great people from all over the country chasing our geese. Its amazing that people from states that most of us have never visited make the trip to Kennett to hunt waterfowl. We should definately take advantage of a great situation.

Last thought: I was considering writing a letter to Jo Ann Emerson about the situation out at Little River Conservation Area and possibly getting a petition signed for a postive change there. What do you think about that? 2 years ago there was food planted for the ducks. I hunted there 3 times a week (when the area was open to duck hunt) Several people came from all over to hunt that. I even met a man who drove down from Saint Louis to hunt here that same morning. Goes to show that when food is there, the ducks are there, in turn bringing people to this great town. Since then, nothing has been done there to attract the waterfowl, and the area is basicly a ghost town!

Again, thanks for all your hard work! It is greatly apprieciated and I look forward the the outdoor sports festival!

-- Posted by oefvet on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, at 12:55 AM

Great more wasted land in Kennett! Well at least it isn't just a crop of weeds anymore that is one thing. That spot of land would have been good for a small business of some sort at least it would have meant a few jobs for folks.

Also Jan how about the rumors of walgreens or target looking into Kennet or the surrounding area any truth to it or just wishful rumors?

-- Posted by chrissieb on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, at 9:28 AM

chrissie - Much of the land in our area is in the 100 year flood plain, which can hamper development. If you don't fish or hunt the conservation area may seem like wasted land, but it is a marketable asset for the region - and could be more so if the issues mentioned by oefvet were addressed. It may be that we see if Joann Emerson or Kit Bond would like to host a meeting of area folks interested in keeping the conservation area productive. I joke that I live with Daniel Boone because my husband loves to hunt and fish. In the almost 32 years that we've been married he has owned 3 suits and maybe 5 ties - and I bought those, but start talking camouflage and gortex and muzzleloaders and compound bows and his mouth waters. We take some things for granted becuase we've grown up in the "country", but a lot of metro folks head our way during duck season - ask a few people who lease duck hunting pits. Hunting and fishing is big business.

On the Walgreens and Target subject -several retailers have a strong interest in Kennett and are just trying to find a spot. I have worked with a few commercial realtors, and referred several folks to local realtors and/or property owners. It's a matter of everything clicking at the right time.

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, at 10:44 AM

Thank you Jan. I am not giving up on Kennett, I probably never will. We have a good little town here its just seeing a rough patch and people need to stop putting it down and help build it back up.

-- Posted by chrissieb on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, at 9:32 PM

Oh, Mr. Sarcastic, there's probably not a single bag of decoys hanging in your garage or pair of waders to be found in your closet....shooting is the point, hence the term duck HUNTING.

-- Posted by Jan McElwrath on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 8:56 AM

LOL @ Mr. Sarcastic- Good Point.

-- Posted by vambfly on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 11:39 AM

I just have to comment on this: "Great more wasted land in Kennett!" Land

being used as soccer fields is not wasted. The payback may not be in

cash, although it will generate some revenue for other businesses (if

you doubt that, just go to Holcomb on one of those soccer Saturdays

during the spring. What the soccer fields will give the community: a place for kids to exercise and learn teamwork and make new friends and a place for families to spend time together.

-- Posted by Vickie on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 1:36 PM

SOCCER FIELDS ARE A GREAT IDEA! WILL GIVE THE ILLEGAL ALIENS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND THIER FREE TIME.

-- Posted by polebarnbuilder on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, at 10:49 PM

Better be careful polebarnbuilder. They shut people down on this blog for having different opinions. This is Kennett you know. Try to be more closeminded and you'll fit in much better.

-- Posted by Darth on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 9:49 AM

THANK YOU FOR THE ADVICE

-- Posted by polebarnbuilder on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 10:35 AM

Nah, i think what they shut people down for is being overly rude. it's one thing to have a different opinion, it's another to be a jerk.

-- Posted by bthlr on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 11:20 AM

It's called free speech bthlr. People fought and died for it. Surely you can tolerate it?

-- Posted by Darth on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 12:38 PM

A JERK COMMENT I MUST HAVE MADE. LET ME THINK THIS ONE OUT, ILLEGAL ALIENS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THE UNITED STATES. THERE ARE A HUGE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL ALIENS RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN "COUNTRY". ILLEGAL ALIENS LOVE TO PLAY AND WATCH SOCCER. WHAT A BETTER WAY TO ADHERE TO THE ILLEGAL ALIENS AS TO BUILD A 1 MILLION DOLLAR SOCCER FIELD FOR THEM TO ENJOY. NOW WHICH STATEMENT WAS FALSE BTHLR? PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME. AND THANKS FOR REFERING TO ME AS A JERK, I TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT COMMING FROM A PERSON WHO IS OBVIOUSLY A FRENCH FRY SHORT OF A HAPPY MEAL. DOES CALLING A PERSON A JERK QUALIFY AS BEING OVERLYRUDE?

-- Posted by polebarnbuilder on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 1:06 PM

LOL at Polebarnbuilder! Don't say I didn't warn you. I've noticed that not agreeing is being "overly rude".

Finally someone intelligent is logging on. Illegal aliens are certainly a problem. And I for one do not know why we are catering to them.

-- Posted by Darth on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 2:15 PM

Someone intelligent? LOL. Sounds more like someone with multiple personalities?! Hummm... Where is Inspector Gadget when you need him?

-- Posted by Mrs. C on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 3:02 PM

This has nothing to do with anything. But can anyone tell me why not all of the blogs are working? I've tried clicking on a few different ones and can't get them to load up.

Regarding the community, it would be nice to have a better park to go to. The parks we have certainly need some "sprucing" up. Would be nice to have a little "getaway" in Kennett. Nice walking path... pond... etc. We really need to get something in here for the youth to do too. Soccer fields are nice and all but soccer programs aren't year long. And regarding one of polebarnbuilders comments on another blog about scholarships, I tend to agree. Maybe we should bring that to attention with our colleges. Soccer seems to be getting more popular. It would be nice to have scholarships for it and more serious programs for it.

Mrs. C- now that was a good cartoon! Ahh the good ole' days.

-- Posted by vambfly on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 3:39 PM

*WHISLTING THE INSPECTOR GADGET SONG*

YOU HAVE THAT SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD NOW

-- Posted by polebarnbuilder on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 8:52 PM

when i was a young'um we didn't need no million dollar soccer field. for fun we would bring out the ol' .22 and shoot stuff. i figgir' we was havin' the best of both. we got to kill us sumthin and got a good meal out of it most times.

there ain't nuthin like possum stew.

i reckin' if ya'll need the recipe i could put it up here jus lemme know.

-- Posted by Obadieh on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 9:51 PM

sometimes when we go huntin' out by that there lake ya'll talkin bout, we see us some fancy pants people fishin' and stuff. then we laugh at um'

jus thought ya'll fancy pants people might wanna try some camo or sumthin

blend in more

-- Posted by Obadieh on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 9:53 PM

I not sure why you all keep saying aliens. I don't have a green head or anything.

Viva Soccer!!

-- Posted by Jose on Thu, Jul 12, 2007, at 10:57 PM

Sounds more like someone with multiple personalities?!?

You lost me a little on that one.

Are you saying our great country does not have a problem with illegal immigrants?

Did it really cost one million dollars?Was it a grant?

-- Posted by Darth on Fri, Jul 13, 2007, at 6:49 PM

I think she is saying that some of you blog "commenters" sound like you could be the same person, i.e. someone with split personalities. I think that comment was to someone's statement of finally an intelligent person commenting. I don't think she even addressed the problem of illegal immigrants. Probably because that is just so obvious. AND I think the one million dollar figure came up because that is what it WOULD cost to make the PARK, not just the soccer fields, what the people in charge would like for it to be.

-- Posted by Vickie on Sat, Jul 14, 2007, at 12:51 PM

Heck with soccer, why not a go kart track.. Now thats a family night..LOL

-- Posted by BadBones on Mon, Jul 16, 2007, at 4:51 PM

Good idea!

-- Posted by Darth on Tue, Jul 17, 2007, at 3:05 PM

Well, I just think that we need more stuff that a family can do "together". Sure my kids play soccer and baseball in Holcomb. But here's the deal. I paid $30 for my son to play baseball, Then towns didnt have a team so them games were cancelled, Then Rain, Then this, Then That, I would go out there and play with them on the days he didnt play because he would be sad when he didnt get to play a game.

So what Im getting at is this, Not all coaches coach with a win on thier mind and games get cancelled, so lets see how this works,

$30 to join = $5 Shirt thats late.

$25 for Team picture & button.

$20 for concession--I got four kids..LOL

$10 for gas for 10+ games

And to know half of those $10 gas trip's was a waste because of no game. PRICELESS!!!

-- Posted by BadBones on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, at 10:29 AM

and dont forget Socks, Pants, Cleets, Glove, Bat, Should I go on? Who needs a soccer field?

Let's go Go Karting-----HAHAHA

-- Posted by BadBones on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, at 10:34 AM

They do need more room for soccer games and it's the best location for it but you have to admit, put put golf sounds cool too!..LOL

-- Posted by BadBones on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, at 10:42 AM