Mayor Gerald Morris congratulates Jack Cole of General Baptist Nursing Home on the news that the new assisted living facility had been approved for funding. Cole met with members of the Piggott Economic Development Commission at their meeting Monday. Also on hand were, from left: Front--Van Winton, Ed Winberry, Dan Gossett and David Gregory. Back--Chuck Schulte, Todd Watson, David Brown, Judge Gary Howell and Mike Scott. (Times photo/Tim Blair) [Click to enlarge]

Members of the Piggott Economic Development Commission met in regular session Monday afternoon, and got some good news concerning an on-going construction project in the city. The EDC heard from Jack Cole, with General Baptist Nursing Homes, and learned that HUD has approved funding for the project.

The plan, which was revealed nearly a year and a half ago, calls for the construction of an assisted-living facility on property adjacent to Piggott Community Hospital. When it is completed, the facility will feature 34 units that can house 36 residents. It will employ about 25 full and part-time employees and should pump about a million dollars a year of payroll into the local economy.

Cole told members of the commission that HUD had given a firm commitment on the funding, and this allows the company to also lock in a guaranteed interest rate on a 40-year note. "Currently, we expect to close on the funding by the end of August, and should break ground on the project immediately," Cole told the commission. He said the company that will oversee the project has already seen interest from contractors that want to work on the job."We are going to start letting bids this week," Cole explained, "despite a few blips with the project we can start the construction phase."

The current "blips" concern some easements associated with the building site, but according to Cole the major hold-up has been with the state of Arkansas. "We had to get our rates authorized by the state, and that has held us up for several weeks," Cole explained to the commission.

The facility, with its apartment-style suites, will be a Level Two assisted care facility and the average size of the apartments is 314 square feet. Cole said the rental on the suites through Medicaid would run from $2,045 to nearly $2,700 per month. He added that currently all the rooms that are being constructed are already spoken for, but added that situations do change with time.

The care facility will include about 27,000 square feet of living space, two lobbies with a shared fireplace, dining room, activity room and computer room. He also noted that transportation will be provided, and that skilled personnel will be available 24 hours a day.

According to Cole, the benefits of the new facility will be felt throughout the region as they "trickle down". He added that, weather permitting, the new structure should be complete and operational in eight to nine months following the close.

After the discussion with Cole, the commissioners discussed the current project of hiring an economic development director for the city. They reviewed the job description for the position, which is currently being refined by chairman Van Winton and board member David Gregory.

The commission also heard a report from Piggott mayor Gerald Morris on the recent trip to North Carolina that he made with Rector mayor Ron Kemp. The two mayors attended several sessions on economic development at the meetings, and have been sharing what they learned with local officials in hopes of benefiting Clay County.