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GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Johnson
County's growth and development since 2000 has been
phenomenal.
Industries, businesses and residents benefit from
the area's close proximity to Interstate 40 and
U.S. Highway 64. The Union Pacific Railroad main
line also runs through Johnson County and there
are eight motor freight carriers that service the
area. Transit time to major destinations range from
one to five days. Jefferson Bus Lines run twice
daily, West in the a.m., and East in the p.m. and
the Clarksville Municipal Airport has a 4,500 foot,
lighted and paved surface with a high intensity
approach, and instrument landing system, and fuel
is available. Clarksville Taxi continues to provide
another avenue of transportation in Clarksville
and Johnson County.
Industrial facilities continue to grow and expand.
Major industries in the area include Baldor Electric,
a manufacturer of electric motors; Bright Harvest
Sweet Potato, manufactures frozen sweet potato products;
Hanesbrands, Inc., hosiery division; Tyson Foods,
Inc., a poultry processing plant; Mid South Roller
Company, established in 1980 manufacturers custom
rubber molding and industrial rubber rolls; Nulyne,
Inc., a hardwood pallet manufacturer; and Nite Lite
Outdoors, manufacturer of rechargeable hunting lights
and two catalog companies.
Johnson County received grant funds from AEDC for
expansion projects of Bright Harvest Sweet Potato,
Hanesbrands Inc., and Nulyne Forest Wood Products.
With these expansions come an anticipated 110+ new
jobs over the next year
Clarksville and Johnson County has an unemployment
rate of 5.7 percent as of April 2009
In November of 2008, the Department of Arkansas
Heritage hosted the designation of our Downtown
Commerical Historic District. Forty-five buildings
in Clarksville's downtown area have either been
listed or are eligible to be on the National Register
of Historical Places. The district begins at Spadra
Bridge on Main Street and ends at the historical
Depot that holds the Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to our industry expansions, Meadowview
Estates became one of our new single family communities,
adding 40 single family homes off Interstate Lane
in Clarksville. Our newest Apartment Community,
Valley Estates of Clarksville, has a lot to offer
our community. This well appointed 48 unit apartment
community has several features which include an
elegant clubroom, refreshing swimming pool, state
of the art fitness center, business center, tot
play lot, picnic tables and an on-site laundry center.
The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Okla.,
has issued a $1 million challenge grant to
the University of the Ozarks in support of the university's
$11 million capital improvements project. Primary
components of the project are the renovation and
expansion of the university's Seay Student Center
and the construction of a new apartment-style residence
hall. The $11 million project is part of the university's
broader $40 million `PROMISE OF EXCELLENCE CAMPAIGN",
which runs until March 31, 2011. The university
has raised $33.4 million toward the $40 million
goal. Along with capital improvements, gifts
to the campaign have gone to create strategic faculty
and staff endowments, scholarship endowments, annual
scholarship support, and academic program improvements.
Holiday Inn Express has completed their 37,210
sq. ft., 3-story facility off I-40 at Exit 55. Not
only has this new facility provided new job opportunities
for the community, but an additional 68 rooms (including
3 handicap accessible rooms) to our growing tourism
industry.
Johnson County's service and retail sector also
continues to grow. Most residents find just
what they need within 15 minutes of home and enjoy
the personal service of locally owned businesses
that range from discount and hardware stores to
clothiers, antiques and collectibles. Over twenty-five
restaurants make for an extensive menu of dining
options. Several new additions to the service and
retail sectors this year include Larry's Pizza,
River Valley Oil & Propane, JL Gallery, Davis
Cellular, Netscript Technologies, and My Favorite
Past Times.
The cooperation of the local financial institutions
has had a major impact on the growth and development
of Johnson County. The institutions believe in delivering
quality and friendly service to all their patrons.
For information on available employment opportunities
or to list your resume, visit www.clarksvillearchamber.com
and go to Johnson County Job Search.
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