By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
Nearly $10 million in new construction was reported in Forrest City last year.
According to the Forrest City Building Inspector's office, permits were issued in 2000 for about $9.5 million in projects.
The year ended, however, with a comparatively small number of building permits being issued during December for projects valued at $363,150.
November permits had been valued at around $4.1 million. The total for the year 2000 was around $9.5 million.
The November numbers were boosted by two unusually large projects. The largest was $2.6 million by ERC Properties to build apartments on Holiday Drive. Another expensive project was $1.2 million for the construction of Grace Plaza, a shopping center, on Deaderick Road.
There were no million or multimillion dollar projects in December. The largest single project for which a permit was purchased in December was the $250,000 remodeling of Flash Market at 23 Deaderick Road, which was heavily damaged by fire earlier in the year. Crown Communications is also planning to build a tower at 400-B Thompson Lane, valued at $35,000.
Other building permits were issued to private homeowners, including one manufactured home, two storage buildings, one repair job and one addition.
The 2000 total was about $2 million less than the total for 1999, which came in at $11.4 million. Again, large projects boosted the total for 1999. These projects included the new Mustang Arena at Forrest City High School and the Learning Resource Center at East Arkansas Community College, among others.
The November figure was still much higher than October's $87,460.
Both 1999 and 2000 showed a marked increase over 1998, in which building permits were issued for projects valued at only $3.5 million.
Several projects are hoped for this year, including a new Senior Citizens Center, and the possible letting of bids on the third phase of the Federal Correctional Institution at Forrest City.
The 22nd annual Arkansas Agricultural Exposition is set for Feb. 7 and 8 at the Forrest City Civic Center.
Margy Cannon, County Extension Agent, said all area residents, whether involved in agriculture or not, are invited to attend the Expo to see the latest in farming technology.
"Agriculture drives the economy of our area," Cannon said. "Three-fourths of the over 400,000 acres of land in St. Francis County is farmland. Soybeans are the county's major crop. About 165,000 acres of beans are grown in the county each year. Wheat and rice are also popular crops. St. Francis County is ranked second in the state in wheat production," Cannon added.
The Expo will feature educational seminars on major crops, plus exhibits and displays. The displays will be of interest to hunters and fisherman as well as farmers, Cannon noted.
Exhibits will be set up both inside and outside the Civic Center. The Ag Expo is expected to draw large crowds to Forrest City. Last year, over 700 people participated in the seminars and viewed the exhibits. There are a few commercial exhibits still available. Area business people who would like to have an exhibit may contact the St. Francis County Extension Service at 261-1730 for information.
Applications for the newly-established Bertha Owens Memorial Single Parent Scholarship are now available.
The scholarship is being offered by the St. Francis County Workforce Alliance, and applications will be available through Monday, Jan. 8.
The scholarship is available to qualified residents in the St. Francis County area, and may be used to help pay for tuition, books, child care, transportation or other needs.
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide supplemental financial assistance to single parents who are interested in pursuing a college degree or vocational training.
For more information, contact Toni Brittnum, St. Francis County Workforce Alliance, 419 Front Street, Forrest City, AR 72335, or call (870) 630-9131.