http://southerngff.org/news Building communities. Changing lives. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:28:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en With prices going up across the board, requests for utility bill assistance have increased, according to officials who help pay energy bills. "Five thousand or more people must have applied in the five counties served," said Betty Smith, executive director of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Economic Opportunities Commission. Though the EOC offers ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/08/01/more-people-seeking-help-to-pay-for-energy-bills/ With summer temperatures reaching triple digits, many Arkansans have trouble paying their electric bills. Entergy Arkansas' The Power to Care program, administered by Southern Good Faith Fund, provides financial assistance to eligible Entergy customers who are elderly or disabled and meet income guidelines. Rosalie Tripp, SGFF's Program Coordinator for The ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/07/21/the-power-to-care-program-eases-high-cost-of-summer-electric-bills-for-many-arkansans/ Arkansans Against Abusive Payday Lending (AAAPL) held a news conference July 16, 2008, to release a report evaluating payday lenders' compliance with Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's March 2008 order to stop making loans. The report found that 101 of 156 lenders have complied with McDaniel's order and stopped making ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/07/16/report-on-payday-lenders-101-comply-55-defy-attorney-general%e2%80%99s-order-to-stop-making-loans/ Shepherd Delta Alliance partnership designed to build capacity of local community based organizations (CBOs) to engage in community development activities HELENA-WEST HELENA.-The Delta Bridge Project, a comprehensive community development initiative in Phillips County, has awarded a $90,000, three-year grant for the Shepherd Delta Alliance partnership to place five summer interns with ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/07/15/delta-bridge-project-announces-90000-grant-to-place-summer-interns-with-local-organizations/ LITTLE ROCK - Nick and Gina Redford of Mabelvale are caught in the middle. Her salary is too high to qualify for public assistance but does not cover the bills associated with his liver disease and the rising cost of gasoline and food. They have declared bankruptcy and face foreclosure on ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/07/14/arkansas-families-casualties-of-souring-economy/ Grant and additional financing will fund $196,215 redevelopment of substandard housing, coordinated with city clean-up program funded in 2007 through Delta Bridge MARVELL, Ark.—The Delta Bridge Project, a comprehensive community development initiative in Phillips County, has awarded a $132,000, one-year grant to help fund redevelopment of substandard housing in Marvell, ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/07/03/delta-bridge-project-announces-132000-grant-for-marvell-affordable-housing/ The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is experiencing growing pains. On Monday, the national organization, based in San Francisco, announced some changes and additions to help with that growth. Scott Shirey, the founding director of the Delta College Preparatory School in Helena-West Helena, a public charter middle school, ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/07/02/kipp-prepares-for-expansion-charter-school-makes-changes-and-additions/ Southern Bancorp's comprehensive community revitalization efforts in Helena-West Helena were featured on an award winning AETN documentary titled "Delta Dreams." The documentary won a Silver Screen Award in the social issues category of the U.S. International Film and Video Festival. View the video http://southerngff.org/news/2008/06/05/delta-dreams/ LITTLE ROCK - Further consolidation in Arkansas' banking community likely is already under way, the CEO of Southern Bancorp said Tuesday. "I think you'll see probably massive consolidation here in Arkansas and I think that that's probably under way right now and will continue," Phillip Baldwin said after a speech at ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/06/04/changes-in-arkansas-banking-community-under-way/ "The name will change, but everything else will be the same," said Bill Wright, chairman and CEO of Elk Horn. "Our customers can keep using their Elk Horn Bank checks and ATM cards and debit cards." http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/29/elk-horn-bank-to-become-southern-bancorp-on-july-1/ Paul Harvel, the new president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County, presented Monday evening an "overview" of his plans to bring more jobs and improve the quality of life here. Harvel spoke to a near-capacity crowd in the Walker Conference Center at Ouachita Baptist University. He and ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/20/harvel-market-county-based-on-universities/ The Boys & Girls Club of Phillips County has just returned from San Francisco and an information-packed three-day meeting exploring some of the most pressing issues concerning the well being of America’s young people. A group of three lead by Executive Director Jason Rolett joined some 3,200 other Boys & ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/16/bgc-returns-home-sporting-national-award/ WASHINGTON - Delta economic development advocates asked lawmakers Thursday to prioritize a four-lane highway connecting interstates 40 and 55. The link between Brinkley and Batesville, Miss., would create a four-lane highway from Little Rock to Atlanta and would serve as a southern bypass around Memphis. The connector is part of an ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/16/dra-proposes-interstate-link-new-river-bridge/ WASHINGTON--The federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority told members of Congress and key congressional staffers Thursday that a four-lane connection from Interstate 55 in Batesville, Miss., to Interstate 40 in Brinkley, Ark., could further enhance the region's position as one of the nation's logistics and distribution hubs. Pete Johnson of ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/15/dra-co-chairman-pete-johnson-discussed-transportation-issues-during-capitol-hill-briefing/ Thanks to the people of Clark County and the members of the quorum court, the first goal of the economic development section of the Clark County Strategic Plan has been accomplished, said Phil Baldwin, an advisory member to the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County. Baldwin spoke to the quorum court ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/13/quorum-court-updated-on-new-economic-alliance/ CADDO VALLEY - In one of several meetings on Friday, the executive director of the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County met with the mayor and council members of Caddo Valley. Paul Harvel, Euodias Goza, president of the EDCCC board, and Dr. Wesley Kluck, chairman of the Clark County Strategic Planning ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/12/harvel-presents-strategies-to-county-officials/ The 7,500-square-foot facility was made possible through a $690,000 grant from the US. Department of Health and Human Services and local loans, said John French, president of Southern Community Development Corp. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/09/ground-broken-for-center-that-will-benefit-workers/ ARKADELPHIA—Groundbreaking was held today for the Clark County Child Care center, a new 24-hour facility that will serve up to 100 children per shift and is scheduled to open by the end of 2008. The center, funded by a $690,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/08/groundbreaking-held-for-clark-county-child-care-center/ The passage of a ½-cent sales tax last summer is the greatest accomplishment of the economic development subcommittee, said Bill Wright, an advisory member. Thanks to the overwhelming support of the county citizens, that money is now being used to bring new business and jobs into Clark County. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/05/07/housing-education-jobs-promotion-ccsp-committee-reviews-areas-of-progress-since-the-inception-of-the-plan/ The formation of a Boys and Girls Club in Arkadelphia is in its first stages thanks to the leadership subcommittee of the Clark County Strategic Planning Committee. The subcommittee and other interested persons met Thursday afternoon with Ben Steinberg and Tim Schuringa of Southern Financial Partners. Schuringa was one of ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/25/boys-and-girls-club-discussed-for-county/ All economic development organizations in Clark County are now united into the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance. The decision to unite was made by committees of the Economic Development Corp. of Clark County and the Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce. Other groups included in the alliance are the Clark County Industrial ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/24/new-economic-alliance-seen-as-maximizing-dollar/ …There are 21 charitable clinics in the state, Morrison said. Their purpose is to provide basic health care to persons who have no health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/23/ccsp-panel-hears-about-charitable-health-clinics/ LITTLE ROCK - Two school districts that had been taken over by the state for financial problems regained local control Monday and seven more districts were added to a list of schools being monitored by the state for money woes. The board unanimously voted to remove Midland and Helena-West Helena school ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/22/h-wh-district-removed-from-fiscal-distress-list/ Ben Steinberg of Helena-West Helena has joined the Southern Good Faith Fund Board of Directors, Southern Good Faith Fund President Angela Duran announced today. Herman Davenport of Little Rock, a Southern Good Faith Fund board member since 2002, has been elected to serve as board Chairman, Duran said. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/22/steinberg-named-to-sgffs-board/ Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) focus primarily on delivering financial products and services to underserved markets. Although products and services are important for economic revitalization, it had become increasingly clear to Southern Financial Partners, a 501(c)3 and a CDFI, that vibrant communities require far more than increasing access to ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/21/place-based-initiative-benefits-phillips-county-in-delta/ PINE BLUFF—Jerry Damerow and Kim Evans, both of Little Rock, and Ben Steinberg of Helena-West Helena have joined the Southern Good Faith Fund Board of Directors, Southern Good Faith Fund President Angela Duran announced today. Herman Davenport of Little Rock, a Southern Good Faith board member since 2002, also has ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/17/southern-good-faith-fund-welcomes-three-new-members-to-board-of-directors/ ELAINE—The City of Elaine has received a $5,000 grant from Southern Financial Partners toward construction of a children’s basketball court for the city park, SFP Senior Vice President Joe Black announced today. The total budget for the project is $10,000. SFP’s grant will be used to match a $5,000 grant from ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/16/city-of-elaine-receives-5000-grant-from-southern-financial-partners-for-park-upgrade/ …Miller is a product of the Helena-West Helena School District. He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas is 992 and earned his law degree from Vanderbuilt University. Miller served as one of Lincoln’s first interns during her term in the House of Representatives back in 1993. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/15/confirmation-of-miller-as-a-us-judge-puts-phillips-county-on-the-map/ Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has become the champion of payday lending opponents, vowing to shut down an industry that they say preys on the poor and traps them in debt. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/15/mcdaniel-walks-fine-line-with-payday-lending-crackdown/ The U.S Senate has unanimously confirmed Arkansas Appeals Court Judge Brain Miller for a seat on the federal bench. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/11/senate-confirms-miller-for-federal-bench-seat/ …The title of the first reading was called “Advancing in Adversity.” To most, that is foreign to the way we think. After all adversity is defined as “difficulty” or “hardship,” and advancing means to “ move forward.” How do you move forward… http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/10/area-can-advance-in-adversity/ The relocation and expansion of the library was the topic of guest speakers Kick Hendrix and Linda Bennett at Wednesday’s meeting of the local Rotary Club, Hendrix and Bennett are members of the Phillips County Library Association. The purpose of the program was to encourage the community to donate ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/10/library-board-members-push-move-to-rotartians/ Rayne Gordon, president of the Sonny Boy Blues Society, approached the Helena-West Helena Advertising & Promotions Commission Thursday for help funding the 23rd annual Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival. The application filed with the commission reflected a request for a one-time lump sum of $15,000 and $2,500 monthly but ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/04/sbbs-seeks-funding-help-from-ap/ An application filed for funding through the A&P commission shows a request of $100,000. The library began its literary efforts in 1891 by the Helena Women’s Association and in 1920, changed its name to the Helena Public Library. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/04/01/library-to-ask-ap-commission-to-help-fund-move/ LITTLE ROCK - Payday lenders throughout Arkansas must shut down immediately or face the likelihood of lawsuits, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Tuesday. McDaniel said he sent letters to about 60 companies that run 156 payday lending outlets in Arkansas, telling them to cease and desist their practices. "In addition, I ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/03/19/payday-lenders-must-shut-down-or-face-lawsuits-ag-says/ LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel moved Tuesday to shut down payday lending companies in the state, saying the fees they charge harmed the working poor and violated the state constitution's ban on high-interest loans. McDaniel sent letters to about 60 companies that operate 156 payday lending locations ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/03/19/ark-ag-asks-payday-lenders-to-shut-down-or-face-lawsuits/ Southern Good Faith Fund's Policy Team has been leading the Arkansans Against Payday Lending coalition. Good news out of Arkansas: after a hard-fought legal and political battle, the state should soon be rid of predatory payday lending. Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel ordered all payday lenders operating in the state to cease ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/03/19/arkansas-enforces-17-percent-interest-rate-cap-chases-out-payday-lenders/ Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel on March 18, 2008, held a news conference to announce that he was ordering payday lenders in Arkansas to cease making loans and to forgive existing loan debt. The announcement was a huge victory for Arkansas consumers, who pay on average 372 percent to 869 ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/03/18/attorney-general-dustin-mcdaniel-orders-payday-lenders-to-cease/ Southern Good Faith Fund and its parent company, Southern Bancorp Inc., provide free tax preparation to hundreds of Arkansans each year as part of the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) program. Southern Good Faith Fund President Angela Duran discussed how the VITA program increases participants’ assets in ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/03/11/sgff-provides-hundreds-of-arkansans-with-free-tax-preparation/ Southern’s Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) sites have processed more than $1 million in 2007 tax year refunds; all sites open through April 15, 2008 LITTLE ROCK—Southern Good Faith Fund and its parent company, Southern Bancorp Inc. ("Southern"), held a news conference today to highlight the availability of free income tax ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/03/11/southern-good-faith-fund-and-southern-bancorp-offer-free-income-tax-preparation-services/ Ben Steinberg came to Little Rock four years ago as a volunteer in Wesley Clark’s presidential campaign and never left the state. In July 2004, he made a home in Arkansas as the president of Southern Financial Partners in Helena. “Our goal is to revitalize distressed rural communities,” the 40-year-old ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/27/ben-steinberg-receives-non-profit-executive-of-the-year-award/ Members of the housing subcommittee of the Clark County Strategic Plan will contact all the mayors in the county to get their communities involved in a housing study, said Tom Calhoon, co-chairman of the subcommittee. The main theme of a meeting on Wednesday, Calhoon said, was to find out what kind ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/21/subcommittee-considers-what-will-sell/ The Delta Bridge Project Tuesday awarded a $1.2 million, three-year grant to help fund an initiative to improve student performance in Phillips County's three public school districts. Dr. Steven Murray, chairman of the Delta Bridge Project Steering Committee and chancellor of Phillips Community College made the formal announcement. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/20/dbp-announces-12-million-grant-for-lead-initiative-program-to-increase-student-performance-in-pc-public-schools/ The Boys & Girls Club of Phillips County is a recent recipient of a grant from the Helena Health Foundation. The purpose of the grant is to assist the Boys & Girls Club in implementing programs in some of the club's key areas of focus such as health education, ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/19/check-presented-to-bg-club/ Black commented that people often tell him that they want jobs but do not realize just how much goes into bringing jobs to Phillips County. "Without a good education system, jobs are not going to come here," Black stated. "Without affordable housing, jobs are not going to come here. ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/15/unified-plan-needed-says-sbc-officials/ The Helena Health Foundation has announced that the KIPP Delta Preparatory School is a recent grant recipient from the foundation. The grant was awarded to the KIPP School to help the school implement a five-year health improvement plan. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/15/kipp-receives-a-hhf-grant/ The future of Arkansas is in the hands of the children and education officials, along with Sen. Gilbert Baker, visited Sallie Cone Elementary School Friday to present a new way to make the future a little brighter. A press conference was held at Sallie Cone in front of a class of ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/12/new-program-matches-funds-for-college-2/ The future of Arkansas is in the hands of the children and education officials, along with Sen. Gilbert Baker, visited Sallie Cone Elementary School Friday to present a new way to make the future a little brighter. A press conference was held at Sallie Cone in front of a class of ... http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/12/new-program-matches-funds-for-college/ The city of Helena-West Helena have submitted most of a list of documents to state auditors who in turn gave the city another 30 days to finish compiling the list. Mayor James Valley said that only three documents deep the city from fulfilling the order. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/12/city-receives-another-30-days-to-provide-the-documents-for-state-audit/ The economic development subcommittee of the Clark County Strategic Plan heard reports on the aviation program at Henderson State University and on a new university boulevard during its regular meeting Monday night. http://southerngff.org/news/2008/02/05/ccsps-economic-panel-updated-on-parkway-project/