13 | April | 2019 | Delta Digital News Service

Revenue Gains Spur Projects

Posted on April 13, 2019 by chloeshortwebsite

By Chloe Short
Delta Digital News Service

JONESBORO — The Craighead County seat will see changes due to recent economic gains and plans for incoming jobs.

Sales tax revenues for Jonesboro have started strong in 2019 and could potentially pass the record-breaking 2018 totals. The increase in money means many new proposals for the city and the continuation of projects and population inflation. It also opens conversation for further development of the city.

“What we can see is that people spent money in 2019 in the city of Jonesboro, which is always a good thing,” said Craig Rickert, the director of communications for Jonesboro Unlimited, a company that works to bring new businesses to the Jonesboro area. “People are shopping, they’re going to restaurants … they’re buying cars and that money goes to a general fund and helps the city pay for the services for its citizens.”

Mark Young, president and CEO at Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, said these repairs and services would likely not be limited to police and fire protection, parks and recreation and road improvements. One service that is coming to Jonesboro is a new bike trail.

“I think It would benefit the community positively because it would provide more opportunities for people to get out and be active,” said Jordan Nash, a current Jonesboro resident.

Jonesboro Unlimited’s five-year plan focuses on attracting businesses and talent, business expansions, workforce development and community enhancement. Chris Barber, chairman for Jonesboro Unlimited, said they’re targeting jobs and businesses in health care, agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and professional services.

“We’re not at liberty to say what businesses are coming due to confidentiality agreements that the companies have signed,” Barber said.

The plan is two years ahead of schedule and the projected outcome is expected to bring 5,153 new jobs.

“Jonesboro is doing very well,” Barber said. “We are seeing a steady community, employment and population increase.”

Bike Trail Would Connect Jonesboro

Posted on April 13, 2019 by Denton Postlewait

By Denton Postlewait
Delta Digital News Service

A proposed bike trail would circle the city. (Photo by Denton Postlewait)

JONESBORO — Citizens and cyclist will soon be able to access the city easier and get safe exercise for the whole family with the Jonesboro Quality of Life and Connectivity Master Plan bike and pedestrian plan.

The A-State link is part of the greater biking and walking trail plan proposed by the city with funding coming from grant money. If approved, the grants would be an 80-20% match for a total of $500,000 from the Arkansas Department of Transportation and the Transportation Alternatives Program. The grants would provide $400,000 or 80%, while the city would provide the additional $100,000 or 20%.

Arkansas State Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Bill Smith said the proposed plan will strengthen the bond between the university and the Jonesboro community.

“With Arkansas State, you have a lot of park space. There are trails on campus, there are places for families to come and visit and the A-State Museum,” Smith said. “Having a way for people to come into campus from the east is extremely impactful.”

Not only would the A-State link be helpful for students and employees of the university, but it would also give residents with children a safe and fun place to get exercise on the east side of the city. With the proposed link, citizens would pass through the A-State campus on a path to downtown Jonesboro.

Smith said the northeast corner of the city happens to be the only place in Jonesboro without access to a park. The University Heights phase would give citizens and students the opportunity to use active modes of transportation to travel to work or school.

Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Director Danny Kapalas said the city would start construction on the University Heights link in late 2020. It will be the first phase of a 68-page master street plan that passed a city council vote. From there, the community selected which phase would be completed first.

“We went to the public about which section needed to be the first phase,” Kapalas said. “This phase was unanimously picked.”

The impact of the plan will not provide road cyclists much in the way of safe riding. The plan’s design caters to modes of active transportation to citizens. Brent Walker, a local cycling instructor, said it will give people who walk or ride their bike a safe route to travel on.

“It will provide a safe environment for families, especially young children to ride,” he said. “Not everyone drives, so I think it will be good.”

The plan for the University Heights phase will be designed to give citizens safe access along Aggie Road, a notoriously dangerous road with many blind turns and narrow lanes. If approved, Smith said the path would open the entire east side of Jonesboro. The one benefit for road cyclists would be access to gravel and farm riding outside the city limits.