This philosophy creates a “seamless” value proposition for potential investors. Souter affirms this commitment, stating,“we’re here for the betterment of Magnolia and we will do whatever it takes to help Magnolia be the best it can be.” “We truly try to make sure anybody who wants to do business in Magnolia or even Columbia County, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure our end is met to get you here,” Nelson adds. A key tool in this collaborative arsenal is the city’s portfolio of owned properties.“We have some prime locations that can be something fabulous,” Souter notes, with Nelson adding that these range “from residential to commercial to industrial,” available as land incentives for the right projects. One key partner, Souter notes, is Southern Arkansas University which adds around 5000 people to Magnolia 9 months of the year. The university was voted #1 Best Small College in Arkansas 2 years in a row. While a state-level incentive program may be on the 2026 ballot, Magnolia’s current strength lies in its agile, responsive, and determined local government, ready to partner with businesses to bring viable projects to life. THE NEW MAGNOLIA BRAND In a deliberate move to signal its forward trajectory, Magnolia is launching a comprehensive city rebranding. The goal is to modernize its visual identity, moving beyond traditional imagery. Nelson explains the rationale,“we wanted to come up with something that didn’t scream grandma, whenever you looked at a Magnolia blossom, but it was really forward thinking, very quick, clean, crisp lines.” The strategy involves a cohesive rollout across the backyardbbqmag.com // 870-234-7890 backyardbbqmag@gmail.com 1407 E Main Street Magnolia, AR 71753 TASTE TRADITION AT BACKYARD BBQ 129 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11 MAGNOLIA, AR
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx