Business View Civil and Municipal | May 2021

59 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MAY 2021 ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL... CUSTOMER SERVICE Call: 870.239.7700 Click: Paragould.com Paragould Solar Farm Coming July 2021 1.5 Mwh of Renewable Energy Paragould Arkansas’ Newest Gig City Fiber-to-the-Home Project Completion October 2021 When you look at Paragould, Arkansas you’re seeing a partnership. It’s a partnership between People and Power. The power which drives Paragould is the result of the hard work and tireless dedication of PLWC’s one hundred thirty seven highly skilled employees. We’re one team whose one goal is to provide vital utilities and essential customer service to our community. PARAGOULD , ARKANSAS grow with our workforce. We recently had Anchor Packaging Inc. announce a 90,000-square-foot facility expansion investing $21.5 million dollars into our community. They’re creating 45 new jobs and they’ve never had a lay off in the history of Greene County. This is their second expansion since choosing our community.” Other vital companies include NEA Regional Solid Waste Management, Nunn’s Construction, Paragould Light, Water, and Cable (PLWC), and Traeger Grills. The EDC doesn’t plan for the growth to stop there. Along with the two industry-filled spec buildings, it also owns a 78-acre certified McCallum Sweeney site – now shovel-ready and equipped with utilities waiting for Paragould’s next big industry. Whatever that industry may be, it will require a dedicated and skilled workforce. In that regard, the community worked together to create an industrial training center. The Greene County Industrial Training Consortium (GCITC) is on the Black River Technical College campus and trains on welding, AutoCAD, industrial maintenance… everything an industry requires. Hestand shares, “We have monthly meetings where they ask our industries, ‘what do you need?’ Anything that’s needed the GCITC will put it together and get a class going. They continue to evolve, meet any workforce demands, and it’s been a huge selling point for our community. The last year has been a challenge, especially getting the unemployed back to work post-pandemic. It’s a national issue, but we’ve got an upcoming job fair and we’re also advertising ourselves outside of our community so we can continue to grow.” Paragould also grows through its key city projects. Recently, PLWC broke ground on the New Paragould Light, Water, and Cable Solar Power Plant. A joint venture along with the EDC, the 1.5-megawatt solar plant will power over