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MANUFACTURING LEADERS: TAX IS VITAL

By Wes Clement/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Sunday, December 7, 2008 2:53 AM CST

A few members of the Jefferson County Manufacturing Council spoke in strong favor of the proposed half-cent economic development sales tax when asked their opinions recently.

None opposed the proposed tax.

“The only way to coast is downhill,” said Chris Hart of Central Moloney Inc., vice president of the council. “And this tax will help us stop going downhill.”

Hart said the proposed tax would be a positive move for the people of the county.

“How are we going to get industries in here if we don’t have the incentives to draw them in when everyone else does?” said Paul Kline of Strong Manufacturing Co. Inc., secretary/treasurer of the council, as he shared his personal thoughts on the tax proposal.

Lou Ann Nisbett, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, has led efforts to support the proposed tax.

“Lou Ann has to go out and bring in prospects for Jefferson County and she doesn’t have any incentives to offer. We’re behind the eight-ball right off the bat,” Kline said.

Kline stated the county is at a disadvantage by not having many workers qualified for manufacturing jobs.

“It is very difficult to find a qualified person to come into your plant and start working today,” Kline said. “They need training and background. You’re looking at six months before you can get someone semi-trained. The more background a person has, the more employable he is.”

Kline said a major question a prospective industry would consider in researching the county as a place to relocate or expand is, “How long is it going to take me to get my workforce up and running?”

Hart said in addition to attracting industry, the workforce development component of the tax proposal would benefit existing manufacturers in the county.

“A lot of people want to work in manufacturing because we tend to pay better, but not a whole lot of people have done much to prepare for jobs in manufacturing,” Hart said.

Half of the revenue generated by the proposed tax would be applied toward workforce development, while the other half would allow the county to offer economic incentives for industries to locate within its boundaries.

Jefferson County residents will vote on the proposed tax Tuesday.

“I am 100 percent for it,” Mac Bellingrath of Automatic Vending of Arkansas, a member of the manufacturing council, said. “To me it’s a pay now or pay later proposition. If we don’t get jobs in this town, property values will erode.

“I think it’s the most critical decision this town will make this decade.”

Drew Atkinson, secretary/treasurer for Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel, said the company supports the proposed tax. The result of workforce development would help the company, he said.

“We have certain skills we have difficulty locating people for, welding is one and CDL (commercial driver’s license) is another.

“I noticed the other day how many vacant lots and abandoned buildings had signs opposing the tax,” Atkinson said. “If you want more abandoned buildings, then yeah, vote no, and if you want new businesses and jobs, vote yes.”

The manufacturing council began meeting in May 2007 with a purpose of providing a forum to discuss common problems and issues among the county’s manufacturers. Membership is made up mostly of the senior executives of these organizations with 10 or more employees.

The council’s aim is to help strengthen the manufacturers in ways such as helping companies obtain educational grants for employee training.

In November 2007 the council and Southeast Arkansas College launched the SEARK College Manufacturing Scholarship to help enhance the skills of applicants to local manufacturing jobs and to help eventually bring more manufacturing jobs to the county.

Funded by individual member organizations, 16 one class scholarships are available to students each semester, Hart said.

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