Bradley County Chamber Of Commerce Meets

Eastlab students and their facilitator Janet Harton attend chamber board meeting.

The board of the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce meet for it's March meeting on the 9th at Golden Girl's located on Myrtle Street in downtown Warren.  Chamber Board Chairman Mike Nichols presided.  After reviewing the financial  report and approving the minutes of the last meeting, the board listened to a presentation by faculty of the UAM College of Technology McGehee and learned of the various courses available in Warren that will be taught at the South East Arkansas Community Based Education Center.  Courses include heavy equipment usage, child care, medical terminology, vocabulary development, hospitality and a number of other topics.  Anyone interested and in need of additional information should contact Teresa Sandine at SEACBEC by calling 870-226-2750.  Summer classes run May 26th through June 24th and Fall classes from August 19th through December 4th.

Chamber Board Chairman Mike Nichols

In other business the board appointed Derrick Grice who works for First State Bank to a vacancy on the board of directors and heard reports form Chamber President David King regarding the Downtown Network program and the Pink Tomato Festival.  Me. King also report on efforts to find funding to help renovate the Railroad Depot.

Board members were informed that plans are underway to market the old Ortho-flex building, also known as the old Jack Winter Plant, in an effort to locate job creating businesses in the facility.  The 80,000 square foot building is owned by the City of Warren  and can be made available to any private business or several businesses to start or expand industry or any viable commercial enterprise.  The City, the Chamber and Bradley County Economic Development Commission are working together to locate a business that will create jobs.  Terms are negotiable and efforts will be made to help get a serious business started.  The building and grounds were donated to the City by Acie Johnson and family who operated Ortho-flex Saddle Company in the facility for several years.  Mr. Johnson gave the builidng in an effort to encourage new employment to locate in Warren and the surrounding community.