Economic Development

 

Commercial property developers have an outstanding opportunity to provide retail/lodging/restaurant facilities in a badly underserved area with truck stop, motel or restaurant facilities located at the intersection of U.S. Highways 63 and 67, and less than one mile from the intersection of U.S. 412 and U.S. 67.

 

U.S. 67 was designated in the most recent federal highway bill as “Future Interstate 57,” and will extend from the current I-57 western terminus in Sikeston, MO, to a junction with Interstates 40 and 30 in Little Rock. The highway from north of Hoxie to Little Rock is already controlled access.

 

Traffic counts past the property (Arkansas Highway and Transportation Deptment, 2015) are 10,000 vehicles per day on U.S. 63, and 5,800 per day on U.S. 67. The counts predate the completion of construction on U.S. 67 from Hoxie south to Cash, the previous northern terminus of the highway from Little Rock.

 

The nearest truck stop and significant lodging and dining facilities are in Jonesboro, 35 miles to the southeast on U.S. 63; Searcy, 80 miles to the southwest on U.S. 67; Mountain Home, 100 miles west on U.S. 62/412; West Plains, Mo., 80 miles north on U.S. 63; and Poplar Bluff, 70 miles northeast on U.S. 67.

 

The laborshed for the property includes eight counties and has a labor force totaling 129,259 residents over the age of 16 who are either employed or seeking employment. The only other significant trade area and employment centers in the laborshed are Jonesboro and Paragould, to the south and east.

 

More information on commercial development potential is available from Mayor Lanny Tinker.