Clarksville, Johnson County recertified as Arkansas Communities of Excellence Clarksville, AR- Johnson County and its county seat, Clarksville, were both recertified as Arkansas Communities of Excellence at a ceremony held February 9th, 2006 at the University of the Ozarks. Larry Walther, director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, presented certificates to Clarksville Mayor Billy Helms, Johnson County Judge Mike Jacobs and Vicki Lyons, executive director of the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce. Originally certified in 1999, this was Clarksville's second recertification. It was the first recertification for Johnson County, which in 2002 was the state's first county to be recognized as an Arkansas Community of Excellence. An internationally recognized strategic planning process, ACE is used by communities throughout the state for self-analysis, organization and goal setting. To be ACE-certified, communities must successfully develop top priority goals of economic and community development and implement a three-year strategic plan. There are currently 81 ACE communities, including 76 individual communities, three counties and two regional partnerships. "Clarksville and Johnson County are models of what the ACE process is all about," said Gov. Mike Huckabee. "Everyone involved should be proud of this honor. The area's leaders worked together to improve economic and community development in good times and in bad. It is why Clarksville was chosen for a joint study by the Universities of Arkansas and Texas regarding communities that have continued to thrive and grow during times of economic uncertainty." To achieve ACE recertification, Clarksville and Johnson County's business and community leaders addressed several community and economic development issues, such as established business and industry, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, retiree relocation, commercial development, area education, workforce development, health care, law enforcement, fire protection, solid waste management and affordable housing. "The ACE process has worked for Clarksville and Johnson County because every volunteer involved is dedicated," Lyons said. "Strong leaders have focused on long-range planning and addressed issues, but it takes everyone to accomplish goals." Manufacturing and distribution continue to be mainstays in Johnson County, followed closely by agriculture-related businesses. Reprinted from Arkansas Dept. of Economic Development

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge, Augusta

Researching the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

 2 TRAINING SEMINARS TO BE HELD
THIS MONTH IN CLARKSVILLE

NEW IMAGE BOOK PLANNED

University of the Ozarks News

OCEANOGRAPHER COUSTEAU TO SPEAK Renowned oceanographer Jean-Michael Cousteau will speak at the University of the Ozarks at 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 7th, as part of the university's 2005-2006 Walton Arts and Ideas Series. During his presentation, "The Great Ocean Adventure," Cousteau will share with the audience his passion for undersea exploration and the legacy of his family. He is the eldest son of the late ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. This event will be held in the Walton Fine Arts Center on the Clarksville campus. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the box office on the evening of the performance or by calling (479) 979-1346.

PROMISE OF EXCELLENCE Campaign Mrs. Helen Robson Walton has launched the University's $40 million Promise of Excellence Campaign with a $20 million gift. Mrs. Walton's tremendous gift enhances the University's entire academic program and creates a Teacher Education Program of Excellence at Ozarks. The University will raise an additional $20 million to achieve a variety of strategic goals. Mrs. Walton's generosity and the new campaign ensure that Ozarks is a truly special place where young men and women will long continue to fulfill their promise of excellence.

New & Renewing Members America's Best Value Inn & Suites Arkansas River Valley Arts Center Arkansas State Parks Arkansas Valley Farmers Assoc. Arvac Inc. Best Western Inn-Russellville Best Western of Arkansas Best Western Sherwood Inn- Clarksville Byrd's Adventure Center The Copper Outlet Catfish "N' Centerville Dragway, Inc. Chamberlyne Country Club Chambers Bank Chart Bank City of Morrilton City of Paris City of Perryville City of Russellville Clarksville-Johnson Co. Chamber of Commerce Coffee Creek Resort & RV Park Collector's Gallery Comfort Inn-Clarksville Comfort Inn-Russellville Conway Co. Wholesale Beer Dist. Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods Cyber Creek Design Danville Area Chamber of Commerce Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce Days Inn Morrilton Diamond State Brochure Distribution Service Dixie Cafe' First Electric Cooperative Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites Feltner's Whattaburger First Arkansas Valley Bank-Russellville First National Bank-Paris First Security Bank-Clarksville Great Arkansas Pig Out Gretchen's Fine Gifts Hampton Inn-Clarksville

Hampton Inn-Russellville Heifer International Hot Springs Convention & Visitor's Bureau Lake Dardanelle State Park Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Morrilton KOA Mt. Magazine State Park Mt. Nebo State Park Museum of Automobiles Oark General Store & Cafe' Oppelo Flea Market Paris Area Chamber of Commerce Perry County Perry County Economic Development Corp Petit Jean Meats Petit Jean State Park Petit Jean Vista Retreat Post Familie Vineyards & Winery Regions Bank-Clarksville Regions Bank-Russellville Russellville APC Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce Satterfield Oil Company Savanah's Riverfront Cafe' Stoby's Subiaco Abbey & Coury House Super 8 Motel-Morrilton The Grapevine Restaurant The Winthrop Rockefeller Center University of AR Community College-Morrilton U.S. Forest Service-Clarksville U.S. Forest Service-Russellville University of AR Division of Continuing Ed-Fayetteville University of the Ozarks-Clarksville Wiederkehr Wine Cellars Williams Junction Grocery Yell County Telephone Yell County Mt. Magazine State Park Committee Yesterday's Restaurant & Bar Betty Selman Charles Gordon Russell Lyons

Executive Board of Directors

President: Vicki Lyons- Johnson Co. 1st Vice President : Buddy Hoelzeman- Conway Co. Secretary/Treasurer : Betty LaGrone- Pope Co. Wally Scherrey- Conway Co. Beebe Huett- Conway Co. Karen Hofford- Conway Co. Carol Martin- Johnson Co. Pat Kowalewycz- Johnson Co.

Nancy Rogers- Johnson Co. Bro. Mel Stinson- Logan Co. David Flugrad- Logan Co. Lynn Wright- Logan Co. Jan Allen- Logan Co. Doug Brandon- Perry Co. Bill Greene- Perry Co. Andy Thomas- Pope Co. Theresa Pelton- Pope Co. Lou Vitale- Pope Co. Patty Styles- Yell Co. Carole Tackett- Yell Co. Jim Holbrook- Yell Co. Mike Hall- Yell Co.

Hiking along the Buffalo National River

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