Southern Financial Partners of Arkadelphia will receive $750,000 in loan funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program.

The money is part of nearly $5.7 million in revolving loan funds that the USDA is investing in nine business development organizations across the United States.

A $950,000 pilot program that would aid eligible grandparents in four Delta and Ozark counties who are the sole caretakers of at least one grandchild passed in a state legislative subcommittee Wednesday.

Bunky Butler and Charlie Craig have never let a sticking point gouge their long-standing friendship. Both were more themselves Friday afternoon as they shared a sense of optimism that Friars Point can prove to Southern Bancorp’s satisfaction that its branch bank should remain open.

At a public meeting requested by the Concerned Citizens of Friars Point under the direction of the Federal Deposit Insurance corp., the president /CEO of Southern Bancorp has given Friars Point six months to achieve a satisfactory financial portfolio in order to save its Delta Southern branch bank.

Closing Delta Southern’s branch bank in Friars Point appears to be a done deal, but in doing so DSB may not be living up
to its mission.

Southern Bancorp, the parent organization of Delta Southern, formed a partnership to “bring economic opportunity to
those who need it most.”

A day after unanimously passing a 2 percent hotel and restaurant tax, and ordinances calling for a special election on two 1 percent sales-tax proposals, members of the Helena-West Helena City Council were gearing up Wednesday to convince voters that the new revenue is needed to move their new city forward.

A newly minted highway sign will be unveiled today on U.S. 49 at the Arkansas Delta’s eastern edge, revealing the name “Helena-West Helena” and signaling a new start for a community beset by political infighting and saddled with a lifeless economy.

The Tourism, Recreation and Quality of Life Committee met Monday night at the Delta Cultural Center Museum to discus the future of tourism, economic development and preserving the past.

As emergency relief gives way to long-term rebuilding in areas hit hard by hurricane Katrina, those who send money now could in
certain cases get their money back and then some.

While the region aims to attract bullish investors, the situation raises ethical questions about how much profit is acceptable to reap from a disaster zone.

The Diamond Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has distributed more than $200,000 in aid to persons displaced by hurricanes, provided casework to more than 400 families and fed more than 8,000 meals and snacks. The shelter at the Arkadelphia Recreation Center is still open, and took care of 37 people Wednesday night, according to Debra LeMay, director of the chapter.