TEXARKANA, Ark. - For the Miller County Quorum Court, a committee report could result in an important committee recommendation during its 7 p.m. meeting today.
With what has been described as the "opportunity of a lifetime," Miller County's Budget and Finance Committee will likely recommend the county contributes $1.25 million over five years to potentially land a manufacturing plant.
Following a 40-minute discussion last Monday night, committee members agreed to recommend to the full Quorum Court that the Court commit to contribute $250,000 a year for the next five years to help buy and secure the land for the plant's location.
Last week, Regional Economic Development Incorporation (REDI) Executive Director Rob Sitterley, who has now spoken twice to the committee about the project, said the plant, if acquired, could potentially bring in as much as $10.5 million annually to the county in sales and property taxes.
Sitterley added that Texarkana, Ark., has already committed at least $230,000 annually for the next five years to help buy the land for the plant.
"This plant has a very good chance of being a real financial game changer for Miller County," Sitterley said last week.
Two parcels of land in the county are under consideration, but officials declined to specify the parcels' locations.
Committee Chairman Ernest Pender, who said it is "the opportunity of a lifetime," has stated he believes the county is strong enough financially to help with the proposed land purchase.
Pender said last week that the county has more than $1.5 million in reserve funds to help gradually pay for the land.
Pender added that local officials should know sometime this year if the county is chosen for the manufacturing plant.
Most of the committee members, as well as elected county officials attending the last week's meeting, have said it would be worth a try.