Business View Magazine | April 2019

143 A gem of southeast Arkansas, Ashley County captures the heart of residents and visitors with its small- town ‘Mayberry’ charm and inherent natural beauty. Established in 1848, Ashley County lies in the midst of Chicot County to the east, the Ouachita River to the west, Drew County to the north, and northern Louisiana’s More- house Parish to the south. Its population of 22,000 resides in the cities and hamlets of Crossett, Hamburg, Fountain Hill, Parkdale, Montrose, Wilmot, Portland, North Crossett, and West Crossett. The region’s rich soil nurtures a wealth of cash crops, including cotton, rice, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum. Tomato, cucum- ber, and bell pepper producers contribute to the economy, as do a few cattle ranchers. Some rice farmers have even turned their fields into catfish farms.