Independence County, Arkansas

to help expand affordable housing. But it is a high-grade housing that they’re creating to give middle class working people a place to live and a reason to come here.” Cole: “We do have one new 65-lot subdivision in the community of Southside, adjoining our airport in Batesville. There are more than 25 houses built already and the owner, Jeff Stubbs, has been very successful with that development – constructing starter homes and selling them in our local economy. Nice houses in the $130,000 to $150,000 range.” Baldwin: “Batesville is the home of two medical residency programs, one through the White River Medical Center and one through UAMS out of Little Rock. We’re in the third year of these programs, so that’s been a great economic boost for our community. The two programs each bring in 10 young doctors as residents every year, and they finish after a four-year cycle. So there will be 80 doctors all together. Generally, the residents are married with children and need a nice place to stay. So this neighborhood is an answer to that. Having so many smart young people in the community is a real positive for us.” BVM: That’s remarkable. Any other good news to share? Judge Griffin: “We are working on a deal for a 100 to 200 megawatt solar array on about 700 acres in Independence County – a project that will create green energy with potential expansion way beyond the initial array. The County is also working to enter an agreement with some energy providers to supply the power to cover all the county’s needs through solar production and renewable energies. One of the interesting things in place right now is a solar array at Batesville High School. It’s out front where the buses pick up the students and it looks just like a covering on the bus shelter. Some days it actually throws energy back into the grid, which is a great idea.” County Judge, Robert Griffin