Biofuels of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas - November 2008

  HELENA-WEST HELENA- Saying "we are closer than we have ever been,"  RBE Arkansas's Rod Miller addressed the Phillips County Port Authority Board of Directors at its regular monthly meeting Monday night.

Miller came to give the Board a status report on his efforts to get financing in place to begin construction on the proposed $1.8 billion project that features the manufacture of food-grade products with the byproducts being used for alternative fuel production and animal feed.

He said, "We have a source for permanent financing guaranteed.  We now have to get the bridge financing for construction in place. We are farther along than we have ever been."

Miller also added that the changes in the market are requiring changes in the approach to obtaining construction financing.  He said, "It has been suggested to me that I approach the bankers of some of the construction companies that need jobs and are interested in this project.  It is possible that everyone could benefit in this kind of deal.  Big companies now need work thanks to the economic downturn and their banks need good projects."

Port Authority Executive Director Martin Chaffin added, "The economy has really changed banking practices.  There remain opportunities with foreign and domestic banks."

In other business, Chaffin added that talks continue with a steel fabricator from Mississippi that is interested in a site at the Helena Harbor. He also updated the Port Authority on the discussions related to the continued unloading of pipeline at the harbor.  Construction of one pipeline is already progressing through the area and another is anticipated for a similar route in approximately 2010.

Chaffin also updated the board on the repair of the bridge crane.  He said, "The crane is working.  However, there remain some issues to be resolved with our insurance company."  The crane was damaged in a storm back in the spring that resulted in some heavy damage in portions of the county.

The Board agreed not to hold a December meeting, which has been the practice in years past.  If any issues arise dealing with RBE, a special meeting will be called and the media will be notified. 

Biofuels of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas - October 2008

HELENA-WEST HELENA- The Phillips County Port Authority voted 8-1 to give a 90-day extension to the land option currently held by RBE Arkansas as it continues its attempts to obtain the financing for its proposed $1.8 billion project at the Helena-West Helena Slackwater Harbor. 

Executive Director Martin Chaffin reported, "I have been in constant communication with Rod Miller and many of the people involved in putting together the fundraising package.  A representative of the funding group has pledged to be here at out next meeting to answer any questions you may have about the situation.  This is hard environment for those trying to put together a fundraising package of this size, but I still feel good about the project and Rod continues to work on moving things forward.  However, we must give the land option for the funding groups to keep us as the top site."

Board Member Todd Stewart expressed concerns about the action, particularly since the land option extension came with no additional money.  However, the rest of the Board felt that an additional extension was warranted.

In the interim preliminary planning such as updated appraisals, permitting costs and time frames, and the cost of dirwork at the site.  Chaffin reported that representatives of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality believe that the initial applications for dirtwork could be approved in 30-60 days from the date of application.  That would allow work to proceed on the first phase while the other permits for the large project were approved.

In other business, the Board unanimously voted to approve the request of Joe Black, a member of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, for assitance with hospitality costs for the commission's visit to Helena-West Helena on November 5-6.  Black said, "When you are courtin' people, it costs."   The Board agreed and pledged to do anything possible to make sure that the commissioners saw all of the positive assets that the area has to offer potential employers.

ABC's Good Morning America program will be broadcasting live from Helena on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Several weeks ago, the Chamber was contacted by Bill Cunningham, Good Morning America producer and was questioned about the area, hotel accommodations, location on the river, etc. He went on to say that Helena was selected as one of the stops across the nation to be featured in the national morning program's series entitled "50 States in 50 Days. "

The series is taking America's heartbeat and perspective on the two major party candidates for president of the United States. Helena was selected as the Arkansas stop because of its unique location on the banks of the Mississippi River. Two Fridays during the last month, a camera crew, producer, and ABC News reporter David Muir have been in town to tape and interviews to be edited and shown on the morning of the live broadcast. The program also pulled a couple from Little Rock to interview because of their disagreement within their household of the candidates. The couple came to Helena to be interviewed in the beautiful backyard setting of the Edwardian Inn. Also, during the taping, they interviewed legendary blues radio announcer and DJ "Sunshine" Sonny Payne and Helena-West Helena Mayor James Valley. During their last visit, the crew attended the Helena-West Helena Central High vs. Pulaski Academy game and interviewed several people.

During both of their previous visits, Helena Marine Service accommodated the crew getting shots of the river by providing The David Solomon motor vessel.

 With the emphasis being Helena's location on the river, the GMA crew wanted to get a majority of their shots from and of the river. "Without hesitation, when asked, Ms. Jane Russell, president of Helena Marine Service, jumped at the opportunity to help host the crew," stated Billy Ray, Phillips County Chamber of Commerce executive director. "Ms. Russell and Terry Ferebee, operations manager and their staff bent over backwards to accommodate the film crew and are being gracious enough to be the host site for the live broadcast. " Ray continued, "Every time, I thanked them for all they were doing, they both simply replied: 'anything we can do for the community, we are happy to do so.'" The Chamber is forever in debt to Helena Marine Service for not only being a great business partner in our community, but a tremendous group of community ambassadors. "There is no way we could have made this possible without their help", stated Ray.

"The Good Morning America crew was very complimentary of the town, saying they truly felt the southern hospitality. During their visits, they ate at River Road; stayed one of their nights at Best Western and the other at Edwardian Inn, and of course, attended the high school football game.

 The broadcast window for the morning of the live broadcast will be anywhere from 7 to 9a.m. Producer Bill Cunningham stated that the New York studio will go live to Helena for a shot as many as six times or as few as one time, depending on the schedule for that day and they won't know that until the evening before.

 Spectators are encouraged to go down to the Helena Marine Service located at Walden Landing (get there by taking a right on the gravel road just before you cross the bridge heading to Mississippi) and watch from the bank of the river, You are not guaranteed to be on camera stressed Ray. Muir will broadcast from a stationary work-barge with the Mississippi River and bridge in the background along with the tugboat The David Solomon.

"This is exciting for our community and I would encourage all to tell their friends and family from out of town to watch. It is not everyday that a national television morning program comes to Phillips County but we are sure glad they did and are happy their visit was an enjoyable and successful one," commented Ray.