Arkansas’ half-cent gas tax meeting is this week

TEXARKANA — Arkansas-side Mayor Allen Brown gathered with the room full of city’s leaders in the first Chamber of Commerce meeting for 2020.

Among the announcements he made, he encouraged attendance of a meeting concerning the half-cent gasoline sales at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday at Trinity Baptist Church, 3115 Trinity Blvd.

“The Arkansas Highway Commission is putting on a series of these meetings, and they very much encourage the public to come out and get information on the issue,” he said. “This will be on the November ballot, as the tax at this time is subject to renewal and is nearing its sunset period. This will be whether it goes into the Arkansas State

Constitution and becomes permanent.”

Brown made it clear that should the tax go away, it will affect things locally as well as far as resources go. The Chamber members, in general, seemed supportive of the tax and attending the meeting.

Other announcements Mayor Brown made included revenues for Arkansas since it enacted its online retail tax.

“Experts originally estimated it would bring in $20 million. That has been revised to $50 million,” he said. “Also, medical marijuana has generated statewide sales of around $20 million since April.”

Brown also expressed excitement about coming projects in 2020, including renovation of the Boys and Girls Club, the building of a new animal shelter, and the new downtown entertainment district and how it will aid downtown development in the coming year.

Dr. David Orr, representing the Texas-side government, presented an update on the Hotel Grim project.

“The Grim has three months to go on the (asbestos) abatement project. Construction is expected to begin in two or three months.”

He added that they are keeping funding and contractors as local as possible.

In addition, Texas side will focus on big box space reuse in the coming year, with projects to be announced.

The Chamber has a new military liaison in the person of Justin White, Chamber board member and senior vice president at Guaranty Bank & Trust. He takes the place of Dennis Sparks, who retired from the position.