SPRINGDALE -- A search committee will start work next week looking for a replacement for retiring Chamber of Commerce President Perry Webb, it was announced Friday.
Chamber Chairman Sam Hollis made the announcement to about 630 attendees at the annual meeting of the full chamber.
Jim Crouch, a longtime lawyer, received the Civic Service Award for his decades of service to the community in a variety of volunteer efforts. Crouch said Springdale gave him, his law firm and his family more than he was able to give it. The chamber awarded its Ambassador of the Year award to member Chris Perkins.
Webb told the chamber board in November he was making plans to retire after 25 years with the organization, Hollis told the audience.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson asked in the keynote speech for support of his highway plan, which would require voter approval in November's general election. The plan would make permanent a half-cent state sales tax due to expire in 2023.
Cities and counties get a portion of the money collected under that tax as it is now. When it expires, according to figures presented by the chamber, Springdale will lose $1.6 million a year from its street budget without an extension. Fayetteville will lose $1.7 million, Bentonville $822,000 and Rogers $1.3 million. Benton and Washington counties would lose about $5.6 million each according to chamber figures.
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers, who represents the 3rd District, spoke before the governor at Friday's event. Womack told the crowd he thanked the governor for "putting your neck out for highways" by proposing a tax and taking the lead in promoting the ballot measure.
Chamber members were also encouraged to do what they can to get city residents counted in the 2020 U.S. Census. Bill Rogers, chamber vice-president of communications, told the crowd federal taxpayer dollars are often distributed in projects and programs based on population. Every resident missed in the upcoming census count will cost the Springdale community $3,300, he said.
This year's census will take information online this year, Rogers said. He encouraged businesses to make computer stations available at work to help employees participate.
NW News on 01/25/2020