Written by Emma Weber // Photo provided by Al Fowler
Boyette Strategic Advisors presented the Searcy Economic Development Strategy in Cone Chapel last month. Prominent business leaders of the community as well as city officials attended the presentation, which was Jan. 19.
The goal of the strategy is a multifaceted approach to attract, retain and grow both current and new businesses in the Searcy area. Del Boyette, president and CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors, and his team were chosen to develop the plan. They identified four key target sectors including legacy business and industry, firearms and ammunition, aerospace and aviation, and data centers.
Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner explained the interest in this plan.
“This plan outlines specific goals and tasks and key performance indicators to ensure we are making progress,” Faulkner said. “The impact of the economic development plan for the community will result in providing a qualified workforce to fill job opportunities, an ecosystem that supports startups and entrepreneurism and the attraction of new industry and business investments resulting in the creation of more jobs.”
With over a year of collaboration alongside Boyette Strategic Advisors, Searcy Regional Economic Development Corp. finished their economic strategy in October. This plan required the input of many area stakeholders between leaders in the community and commitment to ongoing and future projects.
“The economic development plan works hand-in-hand with the #MySearcy Master Plan, which addresses quality of life topics like our parks system, active transportation and infrastructure. Having a comprehensive master plan allows us to have a road map toward strategic development and growth,” Faulkner said.
Boyette shared his excitement with the large amount of involvement in the plan.
“A significant number of people participated in the strategic plan,” Boyette said. “The reason that is important [is] it gave the opportunity to participate, and we could hear them out on what they wanted to see happen. They were heard, and the plan was designed with their input.”
A new community center, an outdoor water park, paved bike trails, and improvements to Riverside Park, Berryhill Park and Searcy’s sports complex all have a role in the city’s $93 million #MySearcy Master plan. This plan is partially funded by the previous one-cent tax, and further funding will be determined through voting March 5 of both temporary 1⁄2-cent sales tax for park and recreational improvement bonds and voter authorization to spend existing A&P funds on tourist- oriented facilities bonds.
During the presentation, Darrell Welch, chief executive of Searcy Regional Economic Development Corp spoke about the commitment the community had.
“The commitment that this community and all of you are making right now will set Searcy on a path to be an incredible place for us to raise our families,” Welch said. “I have been completely overwhelmed just with the sense of collaboration.”
