Independence County, Arkansas

A nice lifestyle with a smaller price tag

Business View Magazine interviews representatives of Independence County, Arkansas for our focus on Economic Development in U.S. Cities

There are those who thrive on the big city lifestyle. The noise, hustle and bustle, big lights, and nonstop action can be a draw. For others, the tranquility and small-town feel provide just the right atmosphere. Coupled with the community feel that small-town living provides, there are a multitude of reasons why residents have chosen to call Independence County and the City of Batesville their chosen place to live, work, and play in Arkansas.

Located within a few hours of Memphis, Tennessee, and a short drive to other neighboring towns, Independence County boasts the natural beauty and the outdoor lifestyle that its residents take pride in. With rolling hills, endless farmland, the foothills of the Ozarks, and the White River that flows into Batesville providing a great opportunity for trout fishing, Independence County remains an attractive place for citizens and visitors, alike.

For Adam Mitchell, President & CEO of Citizens Bank located in Batesville, Independence County has unlimited potential, as a vibrant community with a population of 34,233 as of the last census. “The Batesville area is actually a pretty thriving community. At the last census, the population growth of 9.2% is the most within the five-county area,” Mitchell reports. “We have a very strong educational foundation with our public schools and then there is Lyon College, which has done a really good job with the establishment of the Veterinarian and Dental Schools in Little Rock, as well as partnering with White River Health (our local hospital) to do an RN  to BSN program that  will be huge for both the area and the state.”

Independence County and the City of Batesville have many other things going for them according to Mitchell. Top of the list boils down to the quality of life for its valued residents which can’t be overstated. “Batesville has a fairly low cost of living compared to other large cities within the state of Arkansas,” Mitchell states. “It has the benefit of having a small-town feel, very low crime rate, and a lot of recreational opportunities in the area, but also has a lot of synergy in the job market from the hospital to the financial institutions to the local school systems to poultry and manufacturing.”

Photo Credit: Chad Graves

Robert Griffin, County Judge, acknowledges the engagement of its citizens and the productivity of the workforce in Independence County. “Our community is based around education, banking, business, and industry. We have a workforce noted for its willingness to produce a quality product and be at work consistently,” Griffin notes. “From a County Government standpoint, finding a way to make projects happen has been a key to our successes. I will point to the latest industry making an investment here – Independent Stave Company. When we were contacted about their interest in a tract of land to build a plant, my office kept in touch with AEDC for information about their application for industrial development assistance such as tax back opportunities.”

He adds, “We made a deal and the QC of Independence County approved up to a $50 million bond issue for the development of this industry. We also offered in-kind work on public roads (funded by the county), workforce training through UACCB (a program funded by the County), and any other help we can offer.”

With the key role that Lyon College has played in the community, as well as representing a great partner for the City of Batesville, Melissa Taverner President of Lyon College highlights how this key educational partnership has helped to strengthen the County as a whole. She shares, “Lyon College has been a vital member of the local region for 150 years, and the city, the county, and the College have benefitted over the years from a strong and mutually supportive relationship. The area is fortunate to also be the home to the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) which provides quality and ever-expanding opportunities for our citizens to pursue higher education, supporting workforce development in the region.”

Leaders at these two institutions and many individuals in local government and industries partnered to create an educational focus as an integral part of the county’s grassroots community development plan, IMPACT. The Independence County Educational Foundation, a direct outgrowth of the IMPACT initiatives, intentionally works to connect the two higher educational institutions with area school and industry leaders from Batesville, Southside, and other communities to promote and support the myriad of educational opportunities in the area to students of all ages.

Photo Credit: Kris Caraway

With so much to offer, Independence County continues to see growth, and to match the current and anticipated expansion of the area several residential developments are on the city agenda. Mitchell explains, “Both single family and multi-family  residential developments are in the works that  will provide much needed housing within Batesville and Independence County.

In an ongoing effort to continue the economic momentum in the Batesville area and within Independence County, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce recently relaunched the 2016 IMPACT Independence County Program that focuses on economic prosperity, education, health and wellness, and placemaking.  “There are a couple of projects in the works, including planned trails as part of the river system, as well as plans to develop the highway and transportation system to support the growth of Batesville,” Mitchell says.

The Mayor of Batesville has taken a proactive stance towards infrastructure and ensuring funds are available for any necessary upgrades. Mitchell adds, “There are several initiatives on the table that the mayor is working on as we speak to make sure the city has the funding for its growth. In addition, both Batesville and Southside school districts  have very robust strategic plans which include infrastructure and grants to help expand their schools, including the addition of auditoriums, gymnasiums, new classrooms, and new cafeterias to ensure the schools stay in step with the growth of the population and local economy.”

Independence County can also boast an impressive industry focus. Sizable companies including  Toro and Bad Boy Mowers have chosen to operate facilities in the area which help to support the robust local economy. Mitchell points out, however, that special attention should be given to local businesses, and notes new small businesses are encouraged to set up shop in the area to reflect the local character of the region.

“With IMPACT Relaunch,  we have a  strategic partnership with the businesses and industries that are  members of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce,” Mitchell highlights. “We [Citizens Bank] have  allocated $15 million in low  interest rate loans to assist Downtown Batesville businesses and property owners.   We have also provided in excess of $120,000 in grants to Downtown Batesville Merchants. ”

Looking to the future, Mitchell is convinced that Batesville and Independence County are poised to take on further growth. The next three to five years also look promising in the realm of infrastructure, educational initiatives, industry, and small businesses. “I definitely feel very good about how IMPACT Independence County continues to positively affect the  future of Batesville and Independence County , and Citizens Bank is honored to be a part of that effort.” Mitchell concludes.

*Top featured image photo credit: Kyle Christopher

AT A GLANCE

Independence County, Arkansas

What: A thriving, family-friendly community; population 37,000

Where: Northeastern Arkansas

Websites: www.independencecounty.com; https://experience-independence.batesvilleareaalliance.com/