BLYTHEVILLE (AP) — A local program which aims to help more county residents find jobs is getting closer to its fulfillment, according to reports given at Wednesday’s meeting of the Great River Economic Development Foundation’s board of governors.

PRIDE, or Poverty Reduction Impacts Destiny Empowerment, is a program in which the county has partnered with the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation to study Mississippi County’s employment problem from the point of view of those not working.

The study’s interviews have been completed, with more than 400 unemployed county residents speaking frankly about their reasons for not working.

The main identified problem, according to the study, was that workers found themselves unqualified for the major industry jobs available.

The second phase of the PRIDE program, which would focus on training and job placement, is set to begin soon.

According to Tamika Jenkins, economic development projects coordinator, the county is waiting to hear back from the Rockefeller Foundation on a proposal recently sent to them.

The process of providing extra training to the unemployed of Mississippi County will be partly in a partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College, and will work toward providing industry with qualified workers on multiple levels.

“This will be a learn-as-we-go experience,” said Clif Chitwood, county economic developer.

“We want participants to come out of the program with a certificate that means something to industry -- their reading and writing up to an acceptable level, job training in place, and drug tests passed. I don’t think we have all the answers, but as we get into the effort, we’ll learn more about what we need.”

The role of ANC in providing an educated workforce for the county’s industry was further discussed by the board. According to Dr. Robin Myers, ANC president, the school “aggressively pursues” area high school students.

He said that this year, 42 percent of area high school graduates are attending ANC, with the total percentage of those attending some college or university around 60.

“I think our efforts of trying to attract students directly into training or the work force are beginning to pay off,” he said.

Also discussed by the board was a grant in the amount of $150,000 being given to a new company called Good Earth.

It had previously been thought that the county would provide the company with a loan in the same amount, but according to Chitwood, it was discovered that it is unlawful for the county to offer the company a loan.

The amount will therefore be offered in the form of a grant in exchange for the creation of new jobs.

The board voted to support the new state highway bonds issue, which will be up for a special state-wide election on Nov. 8.

This new round of bonds will be used to finance an ongoing highway and interstate rehabilitation program, and will be paid off by a 4-cent diesel tax.