Big Economic News on Several Fronts in the City of Benton

I just returned from a big press conference that Benton Mayor David Mattingly called at the Benton Event Center today, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. I took streamed video from the MySaline Facebook page, and it’s now embedded below. Here’s the outline of what was announced:

See more info on these 8 points in the video on MySaline’s Facebook page and on theBenton Proud blog.

Mayor Mattingly talked about Benton being #5 in the state for the Arkansas Tech Business Index.
Fire Chief Bill Ford and Police Chief Kirk Lane discussed their departments’ needs and unveiled the floorplan and elevation illustrations for the new combo fire & police substation to be constructed at 1709 Highway 5 North (near Harps Grocery). Chief Ford highlighted that he has never had a pole in his fire station, but this one is to be two stories and WILL have a pole!
A new restaurant chain is coming to the Shoppes of Benton. It’s a train-themed restaurant that delivers food to your table by little cars on rails. It’s called All Aboard Restaurant & Grill.
Tuesday Morning has also signed on as a tenant at the Shoppes of Benton.
We already knew, but it was officially announced today that Planet Fitness is going in the old bowling alley on Military Road.
Illustrations were unveiled for the ACDI building being constructed in downtown Benton at the old Harvest Foods location.
Wade Partridge of the UALR Advisory Board announced that UALR Benton is growing in enrollment by 15% each year. It’s important for the economy because 55% of enrollment has been students from outside Saline County. UALR Benton will start a 6-week course starting in the Fall called Launch U, that helps people startup a business, ends with a business plan good for investors to review, and the program even offers startup money for businesses. They’ll also start non-credit programs for things like Quick Books, Photography and ACT Prep. See the video for other announcements Partridge made.
Lastly, the Mayor announced a budgeted 3.5% COLA increase/raise (Cost of Living Allowance).