CAMDEN — By BRADLY GILL
Staff Writer
A video positively promoting Camden, an upcoming job fair, use of a 3D printer and preliminary discussions with Calhoun County as to the future funding of Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development were just a few of the topics at Wednesday’s meeting of the OPED board of directors.
The board also discussed an upcoming audit in the second week of August by Pete Parks - a certified public accountant from El Dorado - which previously cost OPED around $6,000 and would increase to $8,000.
OPED Office Manager, Dotty Harris, informed the board that Parks was on the “low-end” as far as pricing for the audit.
OPED Executive Director James Lee Silliman said he has been meeting with the Ouachita Enrichment Center in order to find them a new location and that two weeks ago, he had also hosted a prospect for an unnamed project in Camden.
“I think the meeting went well. You never know," said Silliman. "You do the best you can to put your best foot forward presenting the facts they ask to be presented to them… We’ll wait and see how this project shapes out. It seems to be on a fairly fast pace, as far as selecting a site. I do know we are competing with one other site in Arkansas and probably other state, but we don’t know that for sure."
He added that he continues to work with the Camden Airport Commission regarding a cross-lease with an existing industry.
“It seems like James Lee is staying real busy," OPED President Jim Golden said. "We have a lot of prospects that are coming in right now. He does a real good job getting what they need.”
Board member Danny Glaze asked if there has been more interest in the use of the 3D printer. Silliman said he had a walk-in with someone who was working on a patent, but they were evasive as to if they had a design for their product. But Silliman said the person was working with a Small Business Administration employee.
“We can and will do a better job on getting the word out,” Silliman said.
Glaze replied: “I think it can be a money maker if we approach it correctly."
Harris informed the board that she has completed all Delta Regional Authority grants reports, invoicing and documentation. She then said the job fair was still scheduled for Aug. 29 and that there has been a meeting with SAU Tech, Work Force Center, the Camden Area Chamber of Commerce and OPED.
She also said that a Quickbooks seminar was upcoming.
Robin Yarbro of the Camden News was asked about the progress of the Camden Positive Project. She informed the board that the video would cost $400 and could be produced to the boards specifications.
Golden said that an inquiry should be made with the Camden Advertising and Promotion Commission to see if the money could come from that group. Mayor Marie Trisollini agreed that since the video would be seen outside of Camden, it would qualify.
“I don’t think there would be a problem getting A&P funding for that, if everyone agreed on what specifically we wanted to do,” Trisollini stated.
Board members Dennis Truelove and Beth Osteen said the Industry Golf Tournament for 2017 was on schedule and they were looking at a holding the event in October.
Silliman pressed upon the board the need to come up with a funding plan if ongoing economic developments were to continue.
Golden said that a meeting with Calhoun County was pivotal and Truelove said a meeting took place with Calhoun County Judge Floyd Nutt who was presented with some of the boards projects, and that he was asked for a donation. Truelove said that Nutt informed him that he would take it into advisement and look into the matter.