Local Major Employers

 Company                                                        Employees                                      Product
Albemarle                                                               639                             chemicals-industrialorganic
CMC Steel                                                               150                              bed frames and fence post
Deltic Timber                                                         250                              lumber
Weyerhaeuser                                                       282                             hardwood veneer & plywood
Southern Aluminum                                             215                             aluminum tables
SAPA                                                                        120                             shower doors & enclosures
Hixson Lumber                                                      158                             sawmill-wood fences
Southern Arkansas University                             360                             higher education


Regional  Major Employers

Company                                          Employees
Lion Oil                                               648
Chemtura                                           470
Murphy Oil                                         405
Anthony Forest Products                 370
AmerCable                                          285
Clean Harbors                                    250
Aerojet Rocketdyne                           611
Raytheon Missile System                 130
Spectra Technologies                        205
Lockheed Martin                                678
General Dynamics                              240

Logistics

Port of Tulsa:
Distance: 323 Miles
Website:www.tulsaport.com

Port of Little Rock:
Distance: 140 Miles
Site: www.lrport.dina.org

Port of Camden:
Distance: 34 Miles
Port of El Dorado: 

Crossett Port Authority:
Distance: 70 Miles
Website:seaport.findthebest.com

Port of Shreveport:
Distance: 83 Miles
Site: www.portsb.com

Port of New Orleans:
Distance:383 Miles
Site: www.portno.com 

Port of Houston:
Distance: 323 Miles
Site: www.portofhouston.com

Memphis Airport:
Distance: 283 Miles
Site: www.mscaa.com

Little Rock Airport:
Distance: 140 Miles
Site: www.fly-lit.com

Texarkana Airport:
Distance: 45 Miles
Site: www.txkairport.com

Magnolia Airport

South AR Regional Airport:
Distance: 26 Miles
Site: http://www.airnav.com/airport/KELD

Shreveport Airport:
Distance: 66 Miles
Site: www.ci.shrevport.la.us/dept/airport

Dallas / Fort Worth Airport:  
Distance: 254 Miles   
Site: www.dfwairport.com

Houston Airport:
Distance: 277 Miles
Site: www.fly2houston.com

New Orleans Airport:
Distance: 286 Miles
Site: www.flymsy.com

Incentives & Taxes

Incentives

The Magnolia Economic Development works with business prospects to identify and package local, state, and/or federal programs that use aggressive business incentives to make projects financially viable. These innovative programs and incentives help develop thriving businesses, support job creation and foster a vibrant economy in the Magnolia, Arkansas region. To learn more about our flexible local incentives that can be tailored to a company’s needs, please contact Magnolia Economic Development at 870-234-4352. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission is also able to provide financial support through an array of financial assistance and tax credit programs. To learn about the latest incentives offered, please visit their website.

Taxes

Sales Taxes:
State: 6.00 cents/dollar
County: 1.5 cents/dollar
City: 2.375 cents/dollar

Current Millage Rate:
Average Property Tax Millage Rate in Columbia County: 44.22 mills*

*  Data obtained from the Arkansas Assessment Coordination Department       

Utilities


The MED is committed to helping regional businesses achieve permanent utility savings while enhancing safety and reliability.          
We work with local utility companies to educate area businesses on incentives and programs that are offered for optimum efficiency.

The utility companies that provide services to the Magnolia region are listed. Please visit their sites to learn about the latest offerings.

Magnolia Region Utility Providors

ElectricityEntergy Arkansas

Natural GasCenterPoint Energy

TelephoneAT&T    
                      Suddenlink
 
Internet/ Fiber OpticsAT&T - DSL & Fiber optic lines available
                                            South Arkansas Telephone Company
                                            Ethernet for voice & data, 25 MBS / 10 Gb
                                            Suddenlink Cable/Communications

Water: Magnolia Municipal Water System
Capacity: 5 MGDAverage
Usage: 2.0 MGD
Available: 3.0 MGD

Sewer: Magnolia Municipal Wastewater System
Capacity: 2.5 MGD
Average Usage: 1.5 MGD
Available: 1.0 MGD

Education & Training

The Workforce of the Magnolia, Arkansas region is made up of a distinct and diverse labor pool that is well-educated and highly skilled.

Southern Arkansas University is located in the heart of Magnolia and offers more than 80 degree programs in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies.  SAU offers training for numerous technical certifications as well and the Workforce of the Magnolia region is ready to accept the training necessary to excel in any profession.  

Southern Arkansas University Tech
SAUT will customize training to meet the workforce needs of your company.  Magnolia Economic Development partners with the state to offer training at no cost to our companies.

Automated & Robotic Engineering 
Computer Information Technology
Electronics & Instrumentation  
Environmental Science
Fire Emergency & Response   
Fire Science Management
General Technology    
HVAC-R
Mechanical Maintenance  
Office Management
Professional Studies    
Supply Chain Management
Welding Academy   
Welding Process Specialist

Southern Arkansas University Tech is a comprehensive two-year college of the Southern Arkansas University System. SAU Tech offers a variety of associate degree and certificate programs designed for students who plan to enter the workforce, transfer to a university, or upgrade their skills in a specific area. Classes are conveniently scheduled and many of the courses are offered via the internet, allowing even more flexibility for students.

In addition, SAU Tech operates the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, providing training to firefighters throughout the state as well as the Arkansas Environmental Training Academy, which also has a statewide mission of training individuals in the fields of wastewater and solid waste. 

The SAU Tech Career Academy provides a variety of career technical education programs to high school students and operates in conjunction with the high school concurrent credit programs.

SAU Tech provides adult basic education and GED preparation through the Calhoun County, Cleveland County, Columbia County, Dallas County, and Ouachita County Adult Education Centers. 

The business and industry training division provides customized training for the area's companies and is a partner with the Arkansas Department of Economic Development in assisting businesses with their economic development needs.

Existing Industry

Magnolia Economic Development places a strong emphasis on working with our existing employers in the Magnolia area. In fact, nearly 15% of MED’s budget is dedicated to business retention and expansion (BRE) expenditures.

We offerer local and state training incentives that enhanced the skills employees of existing companies in classes chosen solely by local HR managers.

MED is committed to training our workforce. We have the ability to customize training for your company. After the ribbons have been cut and the initial public excitement fades, Magnolia Economic Development will continue to make sure our resources are availiable to you so that your company can be as productive and profitable as possible.