Insights > Harvey Couch Business Park Southeast Accomplishes Site Certification

Harvey Couch Business Park Southeast Accomplishes Site Certification

By:

04/09/2019

Arkansas native and legendary football coach Bear Bryant said, "It is not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference." The Magnolia Economic Development officials have both.

Magnolia economic development officials were recognized in March at the Magnolia Rotary Club with a $3,000 check from Entergy Arkansas' Office of Business and Economic Development for receiving a Select Site certification. The certification involved conducting a comprehensive review and documentation process for their 104-acre industrial site, making the site shovel-ready for prospective manufacturing or distribution projects.

The site is named for Harvey Couch, founder of Entergy and a former resident of Magnolia. A champion of economic development for Arkansas, Couch died in 1941 and is buried in Magnolia.

"Anytime we have the chance to take advantage of a program that raises the bar, we're ready to participate. I want to thank Entergy Arkansas for the opportunity and thank all the people who put in hard work to help us achieve Select Site certification," said Cammie Hambrice, executive director, Magnolia Economic Development.

Entergy Arkansas works with communities to help them implement an assessment tool that allows them to certify their sites and communicate the prepared status to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, site location consultants and company decision makers.

"Along with providing reliable and affordable power with rates among the lowest in the country, Entergy Arkansas works to prepare the communities we serve for attracting new business and encouraging business expansions that result in new jobs, investments and economic growth," said Danny Games, director of business and economic development for Entergy Arkansas.

The Select Site program helps communities better prepare their sites as winning candidates for high-tech, manufacturing and distribution projects. Preparedness is a necessity for economic development success in today's business environment. Site location consultants and prospective companies require immediate response times, and communities must be able to respond effectively and efficiently on very short notice. Through the Select Site program and the Arkansas Site Selection Center, Entergy is helping to meet those needs.