Springdale Poultry Plant Workers Walk Out To Protest Unsafe Conditions

December 11, 2020

Real Estate

Prime Bentonville Real Estate Up For Auction

A highly sought-after Bentonville property is headed to public auction after a series of sexual assault charges against the former owner.

  • On Nov. 17, Circuit Judge Doug Schrantz ordered the property at 904 S.E. Residents Way and 906 E. Central Ave. to be sold at auction. The 1.87-acre commercial property is near the Central and J street intersection, adjacent from the west to a Casey’s General Store and north of Brick Avenue Lofts, an upscale apartment complex developed by Fayetteville-based Specialized Real Estate Group. -Talk Business & Politics

  • The former owner of the building, Angelo Floro, pleaded guilty in 2018 to two counts of second-degree sexual assault. The facility's license was revoked by Arkansas Human Services last year.
  • According to online real estate websites, the Floro property is valued at $3.3 million. The initial listing offer was $5 million in March 2019.
  • It will be sold at the commissioner’s sale on Thursday, Dec. 10, at at 9:30 a.m. at the Benton County Courthouse to the highest bidder.

Business

Springdale Plant Employees Walk Out to Demand Safer Working Conditions

Employees at George's Poultry Plant in Springdale "walked out" of the facility on Tuesday to protest the the lack of sanitization efforts and questionable social distancing measures of the company. -KNWA/Fox 24

  • A representative from George's encouraged those who are concerned about the safety guidelines or interested in employee benefits, to visit the company's website.

Community

Benton County Courthouse Expansion Begins

Construction on the Benton County Courthouse is set to begin in 2021, with the demolition wrapping up at the end of this year.

  • The $3 million expansion will feature a new courtroom, judge's chambers, and additional space for attorneys and the public, along with a new parking lot. -5 News
  • Judge Barry Moehring says the city is able to accomplish this without raising taxes and very "modest" borrowing.
  • Moehring also mentioned that business will carry on as usual, with Central and Second Avenue remaining open throughout the process, and no "infringements" are to be expected in downtown Bentonville over the holidays.

Arts & Culture

Grant Opportunity Available for Arts Organizations Affected by COVID-19

The Creative Art Community & Hub Exchange, or CACHE, will be awarding a second round of grants to local arts organizations directly affected by the covid-19 crisis.

  • CACHE was created by the Northwest Arkansas Council, which receives funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The organization will be providing grants up to $20,000, resulting in an additional $250,000 given to local organizations. This follows the first round of awards granted by the group, which resulted in a total of $500,000.
  • Organizations applying for the grant must have a clear focus related to the arts and may use the funds to support transition planning, develop new business models, generate new streams of revenue, develop new partnerships, and more. -Fayetteville Flyer
  • The deadline to apply is Thursday, Dec. 17, at 5pm. More information on how to apply HERE.

Business

John Q. Hammons Center Renamed Rogers Convention Center

City officials in Rogers received the naming rights for NWA's largest meeting and event center and signed the contract in March of this year.

  • The agreement gives the naming rights to the city for $100,000 per year for 10 years. -Talk Business & Politics
  • The new sign for the building will be installed this month, contracted by Best Sign Group in Rogers.
  • Shanda Hunter, the city's public relations manager says that "It's important for us to make sure residents and visitors alike know what Rogers has to offer... We are so proud of all the great amenities Northwest Arkansas has to offer residents and visitors, and we think it’s important to highlight the things Rogers offers to the region." -Talk Business & Politics

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