It’s a process that has taken more than eight years, but construction has begun on a new auditorium and administrative complex on the Gurdon High School campus.

The Economic Development Corp. of Clark County now has banking and accounting services after the board approved proposals for them Tuesday night.

Summit Bank of Arkadelphia will provide two accounts, checking and money market, for the corporation’s funds. Summit presented the best proposal for the services, said Randy Turner, finance chairman EDCCC.

Many people responded to Internet surveys during the strategic planning process, and they revealed needs for certain types of housing. Both “high end” and “affordable” housing are needed in the county, according to the surveys. But significant projects have begun since those surveys were made, members of the subcommittee said.

Jimbo Boyd, president and CEO of First Bank of the Delta and the First Bank Board of Directors, recently announced promotions for three First Bank employees – Frances Davidson, Leigh Ann Lammers and Dana Worstell.

David A. Knopick of GouldEvans of Kansas City Missouri finished up the first community meeting held at Temple Beth El heritage hall to discuss ways of revitalizing Helena-West Helena and Phillips County. The next meeting will be held this evening at the heritage hall.

Southern Good Faith Fund and First Bank of the Delta, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service is proud to offer the VITA program to all residents of Phillips County and surrounding areas yet again.

Clark County received its first economic development sales tax check in late December, Clark County Treasurer Judy Beth Hutcherson said. The check was for $101,498.64 which reflected collections for October.

…Thanks to Delta Bridge Project and city resources we already are seeing the positive results of burned out houses being torn down and hundreds of decrepit cars being disposed of. Now it is time for all of us to say, “How can I help?”

Employees of Arkadelphia’s water utilities and street departments Monday plant one of 40 oak trees in downtown Arkadelphia. The Ross Foundation funded the project in observance of its 40th anniversary.

In the second of several planned meetings, members of the economic development subcommittee of the Clark County Strategic Plan met Monday to help prioritize the goals and action steps of their portion of the plan.