CONWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BREAKS GROUND ON ROBERT D. NABHOLZ CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
April 14, 2005
Conway, AR — The Conway Development Corporation (CDC) today made a huge statement about its commitment to economic development for the city of Conway with the groundbreaking of a new state-of-the-art economic development center that will serve as the organization's headquarters. The facility, expected to open late this year, is made possible by the Robert D. and Barbara Nabholz Trust, and will be named the Robert D. Nabholz Center for Economic Development, in memory of Bob Nabholz, who was a local and statewide economic development champion.
Nabholz, who died three years ago today, was the founder and chairman of Nabholz Construction. He was among several community leaders who established the Conway Development Corporation in 1959, served as its vice president and served on its board for more than 40 years. He was a member and chairman of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission (now Arkansas Department of Economic Development) and served on the National Waterways Commission which established the McClellan-Kerr navigation system on the Arkansas River. Bob was honored posthumously in 2003 by the Arkansas Economic Developers with the Lifetime Leadership Award for Economic Development.
On hand for the groundbreaking were city, regional and state economic development officials, the CDC board and staff, leadership from the Conway Downtown Partnership and Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, other city and county business leaders and Bob Nabholz's six children: Dan, David, Tim, John, Nancy Nabholz Fields and Susan Nabholz Denys.
Dan Nabholz, speaking on behalf of the family, said, "Our father was involved in economic development in many levels. However, he was most proud of his work with CDC and the personal friendships he developed with the community members he worked with, in promoting economic development of his hometown."
Nabholz continued, "I've heard him remark that we need to be smart and forward-thinking in our economic development. This insures the recruitment of businesses and industries which are great corporate citizens and who will protect our environment."
"His motivation was simple. The community had been great to him and his business. He wanted to recruit employers who would provide high paying jobs, so people could better provide for their families, and so that our children wouldn't have to leave their home community to attain a satisfying and challenging career," Nabholz concluded.
CDC President Bill Hegeman noted how appropriate it was that a building bearing Bob Nabholz's name be devoted to economic development in Conway.
"I don't think there has ever been an individual who lived and breathed economic development like Bob Nabholz, nor anyone who believed in Conway more than he. How fitting that his memory will be honored forever through this wonderful gift from his family," Hegeman said.
The building will be located in downtown Conway at 900 Oak Street, a northern addition to the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce Building. The 3,000 square foot wing will have a contemporary look and feel, containing a conference facility, meeting rooms and offices. It will be the meeting place for recruits who are considering Conway as a location for new industry and business. From the Center, strategies and tactics for economic development will be born.The building's presence next to the Conway Chamber is a strategy that was important to CDC.
"We wanted the nerve center of Conway economic development to remain under one roof. It is a one-stop economic development shop," CDC Director Brad Lacy said. "Our goal is for Conway to be among the top economic development products in the South. The Nabholz Center will give us physical space that will be hard to match and brings us closer to our goal."
"First impressions are important in economic development and we will soon have a knock-out facility that is second to none. The Nabholz Center will say a lot about Conway, that we are serious about economic development, that we believe in our hometown, that we're proud of it and that we welcome others who appreciate what we have to offer. This is a proud day for Conway," Conway Mayor Tab Townsell said.
Townsell read a proclamation lauding Nabholz for his economic and community development.
Also on hand for the announcement, which featured a themeline of "See The Future From Here," were Larry Walther, Director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, and Hugh McDonald, President of Entergy/Arkansas and Chairman of the Metro Little Rock Alliance, a multi-county economic development coalition of which Conway is a part.
Walther praised Conway for its vision and passion for economic development.
"Conway loves to compete for business and industry and that competitive spirit is one reason why you are so good at getting results. The city has already welcomed two new companies to town in the first three months of this year. I am pleased that the Nabholz family has provided the funding for this new economic development center. It is a magnificent salute to a man who was an economic development role model," Walther said.
McDonald added, "Once again, we're gathered for good news about our region's future. Conway's economic development leadership is sending a message to prospects and consultants that this city is more ready, willing and able to compete than ever before. Their success both inside the city and in our region is commendable and much appreciated."
The CDC has been particularly busy the past ten years in both the recruitment and retention of business and industry. Conway's population has skyrocketed during the past ten years - from 35,993 in 1996 to around 57,000 today.
Some of the economic development highlights these past ten years include Acxiom's addition of two new buildings at their Conway campus, Virco's new 1.3 million square foot manufacturing/distribution facility, major expansions at TOKUSEN, USA and the Conway Commons shopping center.
In the past five years the CDC has acquired more than 900 acres of business and industrial property for future growth, led the effort to relocate Conway's airport and helped start the Conway Downtown Partnership including a $150,000 gift in honor of American Management Corporation. The CDC also awarded the University of Central Arkansas Department of Computer Science $300,000 to help recruit and retain faculty members.
In addition to Hegeman, who serves as President, other members of the CDC Board of Directors are: Bill Adkisson (Vice President), Jerry Adams, Richie Arnold, Jack Engelkes, Bill Johnson, Charles Nabholz, Dan Nabholz and Louis Stell. The staff of CDC is Brad Lacy, Director, and Shelley Dozier, Administrative Assistant.
CONTACT:
Mitch Chandler, 501-682-5154
mchandler@1-800-ARKANSAS.com
Brad Lacy, Director of Economic Development
Conway Development Corporation
501-329-7788
