Economic Development

Trout, what you are saying is 100% right and it needs to be said again and again. What is sad to me is that this reality you describe becomes a local formula that means corporate chains succeed and that local initiative is stifled. There's truly more talent and initiative out there than we will ever know but these folks look out there and are afraid to act. Small, truly local businesses, are what we need.

Do we have any idea what Walmart sucks out of the area relative to what it gives back? Or KFC, or MacDonalds? Yet we have local folks who really do want to succeed and work hard and keep the cash here! Moreover, they have the imagination to make things interesting for us all.

Background and culture would be my two cents worth. If you have never been exposed to say the kind of environment that WAWs provides then you don't go looking for that environment. But KFC is everywhere and is advertised so you are exposed to it. Also ones background and upbringing would also have some impact on one's mindset.

And money would be a big part of this equation. Of 17,000 plus residents in Sharp county over 11,000 receive some kind of government assistance or SS. That has to play a very big part in how a business needs to develope it's business plan.

Hi Forum,

Time for a little "philosophy." The basis of an economy is consumers and providers. To consume one has to have a job. The focus understandably tends to be there -- jobs. But there is this other part. And this is the "part" that gets interesting.

What do local folks want to consume? I'm serious. Because, for example, if a place like Words and Words Afterwards has to struggle, but KFC doesn't, it says something.

There's a lot of creative energy in this area looking to be truly appreciated.

Hi Mike & Trout,

Like I said, I really don't know much about local Hardy politics. The town is lovely. I will offer two general observations that may have some relevance.

The first thing that Hardy should understand is that it is a "theme" Village. Like it or not, its economic future is going to be found in its ability to have everyone get along and around a common concept of Hardy as a tourist location of the quaint Southern town. It can't be each business for itself. They need to work around a common theme.

The other is that all small towns can fall into personality-driven politics. Good government has to be based on objective performance and quality of vision. It's not about who knows whom or is related to somebody. This kind of thing goes on all over America in small towns. It always impedes growth and well-being. Like I said, I don't know anything about Hardy's political landscape other than that the Mayor has done a good job of getting grants.

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Moving on:

CV City Government does a very fine job in my view with very little in the way of resources and has an openness to new talent. The personal dedication of the people who work there is beyond question in my view. I believe that there have been some misunderstandings about the depth and importance of their work based on lack of knowledge of what happens there day-to-day. Code Enforcement is particularly dedicated and effective. The status of the Village in that one regard alone is night and day from where it was previously.

I have to agree with you on Hardy. Hardy is such a great little town on the outside but on the inside I think it's a different story. I hate to bad mouth so I hope this doesn't come across as such, but I'm not sure how else to put it.

Putting it all into perspective, the mess in Hardy just shows how, even though with all its faults that some think there are with the current CV city administration, CV is heaven and still a heck of a lot better than what Hardy has going on, in my opinion.

Hardy has the big perception of extreme "good ole boy" syndrome that I want nothing to do with. Good ole boy is everywhere obviously, and CV has its share of it too, but Hardy seems to make it a competitive violent sport. Inside that town, you have grown adults making absolute fools of themselves online with childish name calling and bullying. You have long time residents fighting with newcomers and vice versa. You have a town seemingly in constant chaos. Who wants that? Not me. I do business in Hardy like all of us do, but I would never think of having any kind of financial interest in Hardy at this time. It's sad to see this type of childish behavior in a small town with so much potential, it really is. There is a real problem there of local vs newcomer, and they are shooting themselves in the foot and losing loads of tourist dollar money and nobody seems to give a crap about that. There are very good people in Hardy who stay out of the noise and confusion, but I'm sure they can't be too happy with the obnoxious behavior and the scaring away of people. It can't be good for anybody. There's nothing to but step out of the way and watch them make complete fools out themselves. Very sad.

NOTE: I should copy some of this thread and put it in its own Hardy topic.

Hi olds-man,

I'm curious if you have a sense of how many jobs the hospital in Salem has brought to the community. You know, we are having a bit of a debate locally about the value and need for a regional hospital or serious 24/7 high-tech ER. One of the ideas associated with the hospital plan goes beyond health care alone. It would be a source of stable and decent employment. Obviously, Salem is a very small hospital. Still, it would be interesting to know what kind of employment you think they have brought to the area -- both directly at the hospital and to merchants or trades that support it. Thanks for posting.

Trout, we will need to agree to disagree about the City. I really don't believe that it has the kind of expansion goals you seem to worry about and definitely not goals that will change the tone of the Village but rather just realize its potential as designed.

As for Hardy, I do know that the Mayor has been a serious grant getter for essential services. As for the merchants and Hardy vision, I don't know enough to say. I like the feel of Hardy very much.

Returning to grant getting. Did you know that for every dollar Arkansas sends to the Feds, they get $1.50 back in aid and grants? Whatever financial "waste" the Federal government may or may not be up to, Arkansas is getting a ton of it in subsidies of one kind or another.

Old Man, you are so right about Hardy, their mayor is an anchor around their necks. Yes she does get grants but grants don't make a city. If their city hall worked with the downtown merchants Hardy would be busy even during the winter months. But like you stated they just like it the way it is. The merchants like it that way too and that is what they want to sell but with a twist. Hardy has so much charm and potential it make my heart sad to see it wasted. They should share that beautiful town with others. (and make money doing it). CV is trying to be a big city which it was not designed to be. That is one of the main reasons locals really dont' listen or care for the village. CV attitude has always been we are big and better. Which we all know is not the case. It has slowly lost its' charm and that will hurt growth, unless the annex Highland, Hardy and AshFlat. (lol) CV city hall just doesn't get it. This is a rural area and will always be that. If you want big city stuff the move to the big city.

Salem at least tries too. Salem has some things going for it. It has the hospital so that may help. But it is still a hard row to hoe.

It's always a struggle around here. Groups get formed then they get discouraged. I think a good medium is necessary because if you look at cherokee they try to do too much and then there is hardy. They wouldn't know economic development if it hit them inthe head. It's like the people I'm that town are content to see the town dry up and blow away. Peculiar and makes you wonder what hardy is trying to hide. Cherokee wants to grow but will it.

Hi Forum,

There is a good Village Journal article on the struggles for economic development in Fulton County. Below is the link to the full story.

http://www.areawidenews.com/story/1682181.html