2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: Jacksonville Business Incubator Program

Jacksonville Program Offers Small Business Training Classes

Jacksonville. The Small Business Administration (SBA) places the failure rate of small businesses in Arkansas well above 50 percent. The Jacksonville Business Incubator Program stimulates the growth of small businesses to create employment for low- to moderate-income individuals and give new entrepreneurs a good foundation for success. The program provides six weeks of concentrated business training classes and seminars for enrolled individuals and technical assistance for a two-year incubation period during the start-up of small businesses. They are contractually committed to hire at least one low-income resident. Graduates may apply for loans up to $5,000, secured by purchased equipment, to assist with start-up operations. A grant up to $3,000 may also be awarded to program graduates to assist with hiring and training persons from low- to moderately low-income households within the city. A minimum one-year employment for hired trainees is required. Last year, the program graduated 23 entrepreneurs; 15 started their own business in the community and this resulted in the creation of 14 jobs.

Contact: Frank Rowland, Phone: (501) 982-6702
Tracking Number: 2577
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Renaissance of a Public Housing Project, Ragon Homes

City Renovates Ragon Homes

Fort Smith. With a population of approximately 80,000, Fort Smith is the second largest city in Arkansas and affordable housing developments are in short supply. One development, Ragon Homes, was a crime-infested haven of drug dealers and gangs. The vacancy rate was about 50 percent and it was hardly a healthy environment in which to live and raise families. Determined to change this environment, the Fort Smith Housing Authority and the City of Fort Smith worked in concert to eliminate crime, renovate the physical plant, provide residents with opportunities to improve their quality of life and establish an atmosphere that would allow families to grow and thrive in the project. Initiatives included computer and Internet training, GED tutoring, resident-operated business enterprises, parenting classes, youth programs, drug counseling, resident patrols, and Head Start. Ragon Homes was transformed into a development that offered its residents a decent quality of life in a family atmosphere and real opportunities to become contributing, self-sufficient citizens. As a result, occupancy runs between 98 and 100 percent.

Contact: Charles Blevins, Phone: (501) 324-6375
Tracking Number: 256
Winning Category: Program (Community Builder)

Content Archived: April 20, 2011