Facts:
Ouachita Baptist University has been named the No. 1 Baccalaureate College in the South for 2009 by U.S. News & World Report.
The International Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo, headquartered in Gurdon, is one of the world's oldest service organizations, having been organized in 1892.
Henderson State University is the second-oldest publicly funded university in the state and operates the only aviation degree program in Arkansas.
Over 30,000 vehicles a day travel through Arkadelphia on Interstate 30.
The Battle of the Ravine, a football rivalry between neighboring Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University, dates back to 1895.
Centerpoint High School's Future Farmers of America chapter has almost 300 students, making it one of the largest in the state.
Clark County is a one-hour drive from Little Rock National Airport, the largest commercial airport in Arkansas, served by nine airlines and partners.
According to the USDA Forest Service, Clark County has over 440,000 acres of timberland, representing 77% of the land area in the county.
Since implementation began in 2007, the Clark County Strategic Plan has leveraged over $55 million dollars for the community.
Arkadelphia’s region has a population of more than 350,000 within a 50-mile radius.
Two of the 10 largest bank holding companies in Arkansas, Summit Bank and Southern Bancorp, are headquartered in Arkadelphia.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park was named one of “5 State Parks You’ll Love” by Better Homes and Gardens.
Clark County was named for Missouri territorial governor William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The Civil War’s Battle of Elkin’s Ferry was fought in Okolona in 1864 and resulted in a Union victory.
The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, located near Amity, is a 167-acre campus dedicated to serving at-risk children.
Arkadelphia, second Arkansas city, receives Promise Scholarship November 16, 2010 thanks to The Ross Foundation and Southern Bancorp.
Contact Us
Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance
info@arkadelphiaalliance.com
2401 Pine Street, Suite B
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: 870.246.1460
Fax: 870.246.1462
info@arkadelphiaalliance.com
2401 Pine Street, Suite B
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone: 870.246.1460
Fax: 870.246.1462
Retail
Competitive Strengths of Clark County
Available Customer Base with Buying Power
- Clark County has demographic characteristics which may be attractive to companies in the retail industry such as a population of 22,700 in the county and a population of nearly 350,000 within a 50-mile radius of Arkadelphia, an average household income of $44,068, and a median age of 32.7.
- Arkadelphia is located along Interstate 30, about halfway between Little Rock and Texarkana with an annual traffic flow of 10 million vehicles
- Clark County is also home to two universities, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, which have a combined enrollment of more than 5,000 students. Students at the universities provide a "ready made" customer base for new retail stores that locate in Clark County.
- Tourists are another major customer base for retail locating in Clark County. DeGray Lake is a 13,400-acre prime vacation and weekend getaway within 10 minutes of Arkadelphia. Situated among ridges of the Ouachita Mountains and formed by a dam across the Caddo River, the lake has more than 700 campsites, ranging from full hook-ups to primitive, and some 15 boat-launching ramps on its shores. DeGray Lake is popular for fishing, camping, swimming, water-skiing and other water sports. It is estimated that from July 2008 to June 2009, more than 451,000 visitors came to DeGray Lake.
Transportation Infrastructure
- Clark County is located off of Interstate 30 and retail developments located near this interstate could potentially capture traveler spending.
- United States Highway 67 and Arkansas State Highway 7 also cross the county.
Skilled and Educated Workforce
- Clark County has a total labor force of more than 10,000 people and there is a labor force of more than 91,000 within a 50-mile radius of Arkadelphia.
- Approximately 57 percent of residents in Arkadelphia and 45 percent of residents in Clark County hold an Associate, Bachelor or Graduate degree or have attended some college classes.
- Henderson State University (HSU) in Arkadelphia has an enrollment of more than 3,600 students and grants Associate, Bachelor and Master degrees.
- Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) in Arkadelphia is a four-year liberal arts college which has an enrollment of approximately 1,450 students.
- Both HSU and OBU could provide a source of qualified workers for retail stores, including both recent graduates for full-time positions and students who are still enrolled for part-time positions.
Low Cost of Doing Business
- CNBC's 2008 "Top States for Doing Business" report ranked Arkansas as the state with the 3rd lowest cost of doing business. Only Iowa and South Dakota have a lower cost of doing business.
- According to the 2007 Milken Institute Cost of Doing Business Index, Arkansas has a score of 75.9 and ranked tenth overall. This means only nine states have a cost of doing business lower than in Arkansas.