HOBBY LOBBY
El Dorado grows in industrial, retail, hospitality and more in 2017
Last year was another year for economic growth in El Dorado.
According to occupation license records at City Hall, 91 new businesses opened in 2017, with only 12 based outside the city.
Industry
Canada-based Conifex Timber Inc. bought out the sawmill formerly owned by Georgia Pacific on Junction City Highway in 2015. They completed a $100 million renovation to the mill this year and reopened their doors, bringing about 130 new job opportunities to the area.
The mill is now outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment that keeps employees safer, in addition to speeding the output of the mill. Plant Manager Robbie Hanry said the company has a $620 million yearly economic impact, most of it local. The renovation and re-opening has been a boon for the local timber industry, as they buy all their logs from within a 50-60 mile radius, Hanry said.
Chemical company LANXESS implemented a grant program to local schools, pledging $250,000 over five years towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs. As of last reporting, they had written checks totaling about $32,000, or about 80 percent of this year’s pledge. The money has so far gone toward teaching elementary, middle, junior and high school students skills like programming, engineering and project management.
Chemtura was acquired by LANXESS in April 2017. Last month, Great Lakes Solutions, now a LANXESS business, opened its new Pilot Plant facility. It will act as a research and development facility, and includes a laboratory and operating bays. There are 10 employees, six of whom are filling positions new to El Dorado.
Potlatch Corp., a Washingtonbased forest products company, merged last month with Deltic Timber Corporation to become PotlatchDeltic Corporation. The publicly traded conglomerate now has a timberland portfolio of about 2 million acres and operates eight wood products manufacturing facilities, including four in Arkansas, according to a news release from PotlatchDeltic Corp.
Deltic President and CEO John Enlow said at the time of the merger that “uniting our high quality assets, including our deeply talented and dedicated employees, will great enhance the potential of PotlatchDeltic.”
Retail
Hobby Lobby’s 15th Arkansas store opened last year in El Dorado. The craft-supplies chain announced that they would open a location here last February, and began their near million dollar remodel of the former Dollar Tree by April. The 53,000 square foot store opened its doors in September.
Hospitality
Several new restaurants have opened this year, from fast food to fine dining and some that are somewhere in between.
Dairy Queen started “treating” El Dorado in May of last year and Chicken Express opened its doors just a few days later.
A few food trucks have also set up shop. Hachi Hachi, on the corner of Northwest Ave and 5th St serves take out Japanese food. They opened their El Dorado truck early in 2017 and have since begun operating two more trucks, with one in Camden and the other in Magnolia. Creer’s Kitchen is a barbeque take out located at 515 E. Main St, and has only been open since December. Their lot, across the street from the News-Times office, seems to do consistent business.
Sam’s Southern Eatery also opened in December and have already begun expanding. The Louisiana seafood franchise started with a location on Hillsboro and are now planning to move to 1326 N. West Ave, formerly the site of Pizza Inn then Kozy Kitchen.
The Griffin, a farm to table restaurant built as part of the Murphy Arts District, opened in October 2017. They have been host to events such as holiday parties, business luncheons and charity events. Also notable is their Thursday Night Live free concert series featuring artists in a wide range of genres.
The Candlewood Suites hotel celebrated their grand opening last month. The 77 extended-stay executive units all include full kitchens and free internet service.
Recreation
The Lions Club walking trail was extended this year. The extension, announced in February 2017, is part of an ongoing project in the city to create a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails and roads. According to the City of El Dorado’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, the goals of the long-term public works project include promoting healthy living and economic development.
The Murphy Arts District opened in September this year to complement the simultaneous MusicFest during its 30th anniversary. So far, acts have included big names like Migos, Brad Paisley and Shopkins Live!.
Health
CSS Healthcare opened in July of last year. The walkin clinic provides a variety of services, ranging from treating minor injuries and illnesses to providing reproductive care for women and beyond. They are located at 525 W. Faulkner.
A new VA Clinic, after several delays, was finally opened in January. The new clinic replaced one on 5th Street. They offer primary service care to veterans, including behavioral and mental health care.
The Magdelene House had its first event earlier this month, the Ladies Moth Ball. The organization aims to help women who have been victims of sexual explotation or violence and addiction. They are working to begin implementing their twoyear plans now.