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Phil Baldwin, former CEO of Southern Bancorp, took the stage twice to accept awards during the annual banquet and membership meeting of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and the Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday.
Baldwin accepted awards on behalf of Southern Bancorp before each being handed the “president’s award” from chamber president and Arkadelphia Superintendent Donnie Whitten.
Dr. Lewis Shepherd presented the awards to the businesses as the “innovation in economic development” awards. He said that both Southern Bancorp and the Ross Foundation had “literally put their money where their mouths were” by stepping up to fund the Promise. The Arkadelphia Promise provides money for college to every senior who meets specific criteria and graduates from Arkadelphia High School.
Whitten said he, like many, was surprised to learn of Baldwin’s retirement earlier this year. He said Baldwin was the “visionary behind” the Clark County Strategic Plan, had worked to get an economic development tax passed locally and had helped with the recent merger of the AREDA and the chamber.
“He was first out of the gate when we had the idea of the Clark County Preparatory College,” Whitten said.
That program prepares high school students for college by providing time on a local college campus.
Baldwin’s summed up his reason for working on the local initiatives by citing the scene from the Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy taps her heels together and says, “There’s no place like home.”
Phil Baldwin, former CEO of Southern Bancorp, took the stage twice to accept awards during the annual banquet and membership meeting of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and the Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday.
Baldwin accepted awards on behalf of Southern Bancorp before each being handed the “president’s award” from chamber president and Arkadelphia Superintendent Donnie Whitten.
Dr. Lewis Shepherd presented the awards to the businesses as the “innovation in economic development” awards. He said that both Southern Bancorp and the Ross Foundation had “literally put their money where their mouths were” by stepping up to fund the Promise. The Arkadelphia Promise provides money for college to every senior who meets specific criteria and graduates from Arkadelphia High School.
Whitten said he, like many, was surprised to learn of Baldwin’s retirement earlier this year. He said Baldwin was the “visionary behind” the Clark County Strategic Plan, had worked to get an economic development tax passed locally and had helped with the recent merger of the AREDA and the chamber.
“He was first out of the gate when we had the idea of the Clark County Preparatory College,” Whitten said.
That program prepares high school students for college by providing time on a local college campus.
Baldwin’s summed up his reason for working on the local initiatives by citing the scene from the Wizard of Oz in which Dorothy taps her heels together and says, “There’s no place like home.”
