SEPTEMBER 2013

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. welcomes Conway native

DR. STEPHEN DAVIS IS CLINIC’S FIFTH RETINA SPECIALIST, FULL STORY, PAGE 4

Faulkner County Business Journal To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat2C — Monday, September 2, 2013

By ElisE Williams

In addition to celebrating 50 years of architecture and engi-neering services, Crafton Tull is opening a new location in Con-way. The 13,000-square-foot facility will be located at the Meadows Office & Technology Park.

Crafton Tull has been recog-nized by Engineering News Re-cord as a top 500 design firm

and has been ranked the na-tion’s 81st fastest growing ar-chitectural, engineering and environmental firm by Zweig-White.

Executive vice president of energy services Lane Housley credits the company’s success to the employees’ strong belief that “there is no ‘I’ in team” and that “failure is not an option.”

Housley says Crafton Tull’s clients have recognized this

“unique attribute” and have benefited from this mindset when it comes to completing a project. “We also know that to be successful you need to appre-ciate and be thankful for all the many blessings the Good Lord sends your way.”

Making the move to Con-way was an obvious decision for Housley, who says the compa-ny felt the need to prepare itself for potential work when natu-

ral gas production from the Fay-etteville Shale increased. “Be-sides, most of our team is from the local area and we all knew that Conway was a great place to shop and dine. So we gam-bled on it being a great place to work, play and call home. We bet right!”

The company broke ground on Aug. 15 and anticipates the new office building to open in March 2014.

Crafton Tull breaks ground on new Conway office

By ElisE Williams

Business After Hours, the Conway Area Cham-ber of Commerce’s quar-terly networking event, will be hosted by Linn’s Auto & Equipment Sales and Just Scrap It Met-al Recycling on Sept. 23. The event will be held at 850 Simon Road from 5-6 p.m.

According to their website, Linn’s Auto has served the automo-tive needs of central Ar-kansas for more than 47 years.

The company sells sal-vage and rebuilder vehi-cles as well as used auto and truck parts. Linn’s has expanded their busi-ness further with Just Scrap It Metal Recycling, which pays top prices for scrap metal includ-ing iron, cast iron, mo-tors, radiators, stainless steel, aluminum, bever-age cans and more.

Attendees are encour-aged to bring business cards, as Business After Hours allows members to network, strength-en professional relation-ships and develop new opportunities to work with fellow Chamber members.

The event is free to Chamber members and their employees.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.

For more information about Business After Hours, call the Chamber 501-327-7788.

Linn’s Auto, Just Scrap It to host Business After Hours

By ElisE Williams

If you have ever want-ed to experience the lush forests and the exot-ic wildlife of Costa Rica, now is your opportuni-ty. The Central American country is the next des-tination for the Conway Area Chamber of Com-merce’s travel program.

Those interested in the all-inclusive trip can at-tend an interest meeting at the Chamber on Mon-

day, Sept. 23, at 5:30 p.m. The trip, which will be-

gin March 5, 2014, will last for nine days. The itinerary begins at the capital city of San Jose and includes stays at Tamarindo Beach, the forests and mountain-ous views of Monteverde to Arenal, as well as the topiary garden of Zarce-ro and the quaint town of Grecia.

Passengers will get the chance to experience

a tour of the Doka Cof-fee Estate, learn about Costa Rica’s unique veg-etation on a guided na-ture walk through Mon-teverde Cloud Forest, and explore one of the world’s largest butterfly gardens and hummingbird galler-ies.

Other attractions in-clude an optional visit to the spas and hot springs of the Arenal Volcano area, a cruise on Lake Arenal, and a guided riv-

erboat trip at Cano Ne-gro, where passengers will have the opportunity to spot indigenous wild-life.

The Chamber partners with Collette Vacations — an international tour, cruise and vacation agen-cy — to coordinate the trip. Through the part-nership, the Chamber can provide locals with a has-sle-free travel opportuni-ty at a group rate.

The cost of the Costa

Rica trip is $2,349 and in-cludes hotel stays in dou-ble-occupancy rooms; 14 meals; round-trip, inter-national airfare from Bill and Hillary Clinton Na-tional Airport; air taxes and fees/surcharges; and hotel transfers.

For information about the interest meeting, con-tact senior vice president of Chamber operations Lindsay Wygal at 501-932-5403 or Lindsay@ConwayArkansas.org.

Costa Rica is next stop in Chamber travel program

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce will host an awards gala Thurs-day, Oct. 12, to celebrate the achievements of minor-ity entrepreneurs and the individuals and organiza-tions committed to advanc-ing minority business en-terprise.

The Chamber of Com-merce established the MED committee to foster growth and sustainability of minority businesses and as a way to recognize mi-nority businesses and their supporters. It accomplishes this through five categories of MED awards. Communi-ty members nominated in-dividuals or organizations for each category.

The awards will be pre-sented at the MED awards gala, which will take place Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in McCastlain Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp, will be the key-note speaker. The follow-ing individuals will receive awards at this year’s gala:

Brent Salter, vice pres-ident of Salter Properties, is the recipient of the Ac-cess to Capital award. This award recognizes the in-dividual, organization or business that has demon-strated outstanding lead-ership in the financial community by providing working or investment cap-ital to minority businesses.

Salter graduated with a degree in business finance from the University of Tul-sa. After working in Los Angeles as a financial ad-visor for a few years, he re-turned to his hometown of Conway. “I knew I wanted to come back home to start a family and develop the city and state where my heart resides,” he said.

Salter Properties is a

leader in residential real estate and also manages a number of commercial real estate properties. Brent Salter works closely with his father, Gene, and broth-er, Nathan, who own and operate Salter Construc-tion, Inc. He credits his fa-ther and grandfather with his ability to bring his ideas for property development to life. “When I see land or an older building that needs a little TLC, my wheels get to turning,” he said. “At that point, nothing can stop me from making it into some-thing its city can be proud of and grow from.”

Kristy Carter is the re-cipient of the Advocate for Opportunity award. Cart-er is the executive direc-tor for the Division of Out-reach and Community Engagement at the Univer-sity of Central Arkansas. The Advocate for Opportu-nity award recognizes the individual, organization or business that has demon-strated significant accom-plishments in educating and advocating for minori-ty business enterprise.

Carter began her career in higher education in 2006 as a program coordinator for Outreach. The division connects the campus with the community through a variety of community en-gagement services offered through UCA. In addition to her role as executive di-rector, Carter mentors mul-ticultural students at UCA and has served on the staff senate.

Although she is cur-rently a doctoral student in UCA’s Ph.D. in lead-ership program, Carter makes time to volunteer for a number of associa-tions. She is an executive board member for the Ar-kansas Distance Learning Association and president

of the Arkansas Council for Women in Higher Ed-ucation. Carter is state co-ordinator for the Women in Higher Education’s nation-al office, a member of the Arkansas Community De-velopment Society, and a member of Central Baptist College’s Business Adviso-ry Council. She also volun-teers her time and talents to assist minority entrepre-neurs and minority-owned nonprofits and small busi-nesses with branding and marketing initiatives.

The City of Hope Out-reach, owned by Phillip Fletcher, is the Outstand-ing Minority Business of the Year. This award rec-ognizes the business whose practices have had a signif-icant impact on the com-munity.

Fletcher is a native of Louisville, Ky., and has lived in Conway since April 2007. That same year, he founded the Church at Oakwood and eventually established two additional churches – Church at Oak-wood-South and Brookside Family Church. In 2009, Fletcher and his wife, Ni-colle, co-founded The City of Hope Outreach. The mis-sion of CoHO is to promote, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “holistic community renewal in under-resourced areas.” Its philosophy is simple: people should care for people. Fletcher seeks to address issues of leader-ship, the local church and social engagement through the lens of the Gospel.

Prior to moving to Ar-kansas, Fletcher served in the U.S. Army for sev-en years. During his ten-ure in the Army, he moved through the enlisted ranks and finished his time at the rank of Captain. His awards included the Army Achievement Medal, Army

Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. Fletcher is currently pur-suing a doctorate in orga-nizational leadership from Regent University.

Johnny Hò, owner of Umami Sushi Lounge and Grill Fusion, is the recip-ient of the Outstanding Young Minority Profession-al award. The award rec-ognizes an individual be-tween the ages of 21-39 who has committed himself or herself to business and community service.

Hò opened his first Um-ami Japanese restaurant in Russellville one block away from Arkansas Tech Uni-versity’s football field. The restaurant was an instant favorite and outgrew its lo-cation within 10 months of opening. He then opened a second, larger location in Russellville near Wal-Mart. The success of both restau-rants led Hò to expand to Conway. His third Umami restaurant opened at 500 Amity Road on April 30.

Hò was born in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. when

he was 8 years old. His mother and aunt owned Chinese restaurants, so he had always been around the restaurant business. He worked as a head chef in Little Rock for many years before opening his first restaurant. “I wanted to put my own twist on Jap-anese cuisine and offer it to the world,” Hò said. “I plan to open many more restau-rants and can’t wait to see what the future holds for me and my family.”

Thelma Moton, found-er and executive director of Choosing to Excel, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is presented to the individual who has played an integral role in the cre-ative, technical or profes-sional progress of minority business development over the course of his or her life.

Fueled by her desire to see an increase in profi-ciency rates among Afri-can-American youth and a decrease in teen pregnan-cies, Moton established what would become one of

the largest mentorship and healthy-choice organiza-tions in Arkansas. Excel is a multifaceted and multi-tiered organization that de-velops the character and competence of high-risk youth through safe, struc-tured, in-school and com-munity-based mentoring relationships. When the or-ganization began, it had no budget and a staff of five. “All we had was a heart to make a difference,” Mo-ton said. Twenty years lat-er, Excel’s 18 full-time and part-time staff members and 30-40 volunteers serve more than 6,500 youth an-nually.

A native of Faulkner County, Moton graduat-ed from Guy-Perkins High School and attended Phi-lander Smith College and the University of Central Arkansas. She moved to California in 1970 where she met and married her husband, Daniel. The cou-ple returned to Arkansas in 1987. They have been mar-ried for 40 years and have 11 children.

Faulkner County Business Journal Monday, September 2, 2013 — 3C Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

Promote your business, gain a competitive advantage, and build relationships at

the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo. Business Expo

brings together dedicated professionals with a shared goal of strengthening their

business. And strong businesses lead to a strong community.

Get in the game and represent Team Conway at Business Expo.

2013 Business ExpoFeaturing Taste of Conway

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TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFO:CONWAYCHAMBER.ORG | 501-327-7788

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Awards gala to celebrate minority business enterprise

Faulkner County Business Journal To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat4C — Monday, September 2, 2013

Conway-native Stephen Davis has returned to central Arkan-

sas from Portland, Ore., to join Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. as a reti-na specialist. Dr. Davis is the fifth retina specialist on staff at the clinic.

The reasons Dr. Da-vis moved back to Ar-kansas could be summed up in one word — family. He grew up in Conway and attended St. Joseph School. He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree before attending medical school at the University of Ar-kansas for Medical Sci-ences. Dr. Davis complet-ed his residency training at UAMS and moved to Portland for a fellow-ship at Oregon Health and Science University’s Casey Eye Institute.

“My wife and I loved our venture in Portland, but we wanted to move closer to our family,” Dr. Davis said. “Having free babysitters nearby is a plus, too.”

Dr. Davis and his wife — who is from Hardy, Ark. — have three sons ages 7, 5 and 18 months. His parents along with his sister, brother-in-law and their two children all live in Conway.

“It was important to us that our children get to know their cous-ins,” he said. “It takes an entire day to travel to and from Oregon, so we wanted to be closer. We

both love this area, and it is home.”

Dr. Davis will work primarily out of Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.’s Little Rock office. The clinic is opening a third location in Fort Smith, and he will practice there as well. As a reti-na specialist, Dr. Davis concentrates on diseas-es such as macular de-generation, diabetic eye disease, retinal detach-ments and ocular trau-ma.

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. is the only eye-care clinic in Faulkner County that has the ex-pertise to diagnose and manage retinal problems. In addition to Dr. Ste-phen Davis, Drs. Stephen Magie, William Mabrey, Bradley Hughes and Ce-dric Pratt have complet-ed fellowships in retinal

disease. The five retina spe-

cialists at Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. can per-form the latest advances in treatment of all types of retinal diseases. Treat-ment options include surgery, laser therapy, or injections or vitamins.

“I don’t think I could have found a better prac-tice to join,” Dr. Davis said. “I knew Dr. Magie well and had also met Dr. Mabrey previous-ly. Dr. Hughes worked at UAMS when I was a third-year medical stu-dent. Although I met Dr. Pratt only recently, I have much respect for him and the entire team of retina specialists. The decision to work here was a no-brainer.”

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. is the larg-est, most comprehensive

eye-care clinic in Con-way and Faulkner Coun-ty. The team of doctors and staff at Magie-Ma-brey Eye Clinic, P.A. pro-vides patients a superior health care experience in a comfortable environ-ment.

PhysiciansThe physicians at Ma-

gie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A., which include oph-thalmologists and op-tometrists, can provide a complete spectrum of eye-care services. These services range from rou-tine eye examinations — such as contact lens exams — to procedures that are more complex: eyelid or cataract sur-gery; treatment of eye injuries and infections; and glaucoma laser treatments.

OphthalmologyOphthalmologists spe-

cialize in medical and surgical eye problems. These doctors deal with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye and can perform opera-tions on eyes.

Ophthalmologic phy-sicians at Magie-Ma-brey Eye Clinic, P.A. in-clude Stephen K. Magie, M.D.; William T. Mabrey, M.D.; Melanie F. Smith, M.D.; Justin W. Char-ton, M.D.; Bradley M. Hughes, M.D., Cedric S. Pratt, D.O.; and Stephen J. Davis, M.D.

OptometryOptometrists are li-

censed medical profes-sionals who are trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vi-sion. They can also di-agnose and treat vari-ous eye diseases. Jeffrey J. Strossner, O.D., and B. Scott Koontz, O.D., are the optometric physi-cians on staff in Conway. They complete Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.’s eye-care team by provid-ing comprehensive pri-mary eye care, including routine exams, contact lenses, glasses and med-ical eye care.

Full-Service Optical Shop

Individuals in need of prescription eyewear can find a large selection of popular, name-brand frames, sunglasses and safety wear at Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.’s

full-service optical shop. A licensed optician on staff can help custom-ers choose a frame that best suits their needs. The optical shop can also repair or adjust frames. For contact lens wearers, Magie-Mabrey Eye Clin-ic, P.A. carries a large in-ventory of contacts to fit most visual needs and lifestyles.

About Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.

J.J. Magie, M.D., founded Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. in Sep-tember 1970. At the time, he was the only ophthal-mologist on staff, and the clinic had only a cou-ple of employees.

His son, Dr. Stephen Magie, eventually joined his staff as an ophthal-mologist, and in 1986, the clinic moved from Caldwell Street to its current location at 924 Main Street. Although he is no longer at the Conway clinic, Dr. J.J. still practices medical ophthalmology in Mor-rilton.

Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. is open Mon-day through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. All doctors are accepting new patients and wel-come entire families.

For more information about Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A. visit www.MMEyeClinic.com.

To schedule an ap-pointment at the Con-way office, call 501-327-4444.

COVER STORY

Conway native joins Magie-Mabrey Eye Clinic, P.A.Dr. Stephen DaviS iS clinic’S fifth retina SpecialiSt

Faulkner County Business Journal To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat6C — Monday, September 2, 2013

Conway Downtown Partnership Annual MeetingHendrix College Student Life & Technology CenterWorsham HallOctober 17 | 6:30 p.m.

Join more than 200 stakeholdersfor the Conway Downtown Partnership’s event of the year. As a sponsor, you’ll be among the first to hear about three major development projects that will transform downtown Conway.

Space is limited, so reserve your table today!DowntownConway.org | 501.327.7788

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The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Women in Business Awards will take place Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Conway Expo Center and Fair-grounds. The event will begin with a panel discussion at 9 a.m. followed by the awards luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Terri Jordan, vice president of technology for Mi-crosoft Retail Stores, will be the guest speaker.

The Women in Business Awards honor individuals in the Conway area who have excelled in leadership and community service and who have inspired others on both a personal and professional level. The Chamber is accepting nominations for the awards now through Wednesday, Sept. 25. A panel of Chamber ex-ecutives outside the state will se-lect the award recipients.

At the December event, five individuals will receive the “Out-standing Woman in Business Award.” Those selected will em-body high standards of excellence, dedication and accomplishment to their respective organizations, industries and to the business community. Of the five recipients, one will receive the prestigious “Diamond Achievement Award.” This award recognizes an indi-vidual who has inspired and em-powered many generations of women and who has had a posi-tive impact on those in her pro-fession and in the community.

To submit nominations, vis-it ConwayArkansas.org and click on the Women in Business icon. For questions about the call for nominations, contact Whitney Cummings, director of member-ship development, at Whitney@ConwayArkansas.org or 501-932-5411.

Nominations accepted for Women in Business awards

Faulkner County Business Journal Monday, September 2, 2013 — 7C Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

Information provided by pulseofconway.com

Conway Economy at a Glance

Unemployment RateJuly 2013

US ......................... 7.4%Arkansas ................ 7.4%Faulkner County .. 6.7%Conway .................. 6.7%*Faulkner County & Conway not Seasonally AdjustedSales Tax Collections

Conway*June

2013............. $2,009,7742012............. $1,960,705Percent Change 2.5%Year to Date (August)

2013........... $11,528,2432012........... $11,343,863Percent Change 1.6%*Tax Rate 1.75%

Faulkner County*June

2013................ $727,9402012................ $696,357Percent Change 4.5%Year to Date (August)

2012............. $4,248,4632011............. $4,222,427Percent Change .62%*Tax Rate 0.5%

Restaurant Sales*June

2013........... $14,206,8242012........... $13,839,197Percent Change 2.7%

Annual Sales2012......... $153,412,9882011......... $144,646,055Percent Change 6.1%*Including mixed drink sales

Hotel SalesJune

2013............. $1,914,2342012............. $1,959,078Percent Change -2.3%

Annual Sales2012........... $18,683,6762011........... $18,662,136Percent Change .12%

Conway Building Permits

Single Family HomesYear to Date August

2013.............. 90 Permits

2012............ 106 Permits Percent Change -15.1%Average Construction

Cost*Year to Date August

2013................ $229,0982012................ $209,530Percent Change 9.3%

Average Square Footage*

Year to Date July2013...................... 2,9942012...................... 2,897Percent Change 3.3%Average Construction Cost Per Square Ft.*Year to Date - August

2013.................... $76.522012.................... $72.33Percent Change 5.8%

Annual2012............ 186 Permits 2011............ 153 PermitsPercent Change 21.6%Average Construction

Cost* Annual

2012................ $207,5372011............... $204,387Percent Change 1.5%.*Not including land or lot improvements

Average Square Footage* Annual

2012...................... 2,9102011...................... 2,814Percent Change 3.4%Average Construction Cost Per Square Ft.*

Annual2012.................... $71.332011.................... $72.64Percent Change -1.8%* Total under roof

Lottery SalesFaulkner County

July2013............. $1,126.0102012............. $1,276,389Percent Change -11.8%

Year to Date (July)2013............. $9,736,6302012........... $10,441,637Percent Change -6.8%

Total StateJuly

2013........... $32,483,1662012........... $33,367,514Percent Change -2.7%

Year to Date (July)2013......... $266,770,7222012 ........ $279,962,196Percent Change -4.7%

Natural GasSeverance Tax

DistributionJune

Conway2013.................. $25,1862012.................. $12,394Percent Change 103.2%

Faulkner County2013.................. $20,4482012.................. $10,028Percent Change 103.9%

AnnualConway

2012................ $162,4572011................ $254,822Percent Change -36.2%

Faulkner County2012................ $131,4182011................ $204,052Percent Change -35.6%

Wellhead Price per MCF*

Yearly Average2012......................$2.662011......................$3.952010 .....................$4.482009......................$3.672008......................$7.97*MCF=1000 cubic feet

Number of Active Wells*

Faulkner County ...... 350Total in Field ......... 4,481*As of December 12, 2012

Estimated Life TimeValue of Production*

Total Field ......................$11,382,327,198*As of September 30, 2012

By RogeR Lewis

In 1990 there were 39 thou-sand motorized vehicles regis-tered in Faulkner County. This included cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. Since 1990 that number has increased by almost 2,500 a year. In Decem-ber 2012 more than 92 thou-sand vehicles were registered in Faulkner Country. New roads built or widened during that time did not match that 136 percent increase.

So how have we accommo-dated? In some ways, not well enough. Although new signal-ing systems were installed, new roads built and old ones widened to three or four lanes, turn lanes constructed at busy intersections, and traffic lights replaced with round-abouts, traffic congestion continues to mount. Unfortunately, when a roadway is upgraded more mo-torists use it and congestion is only temporarily relieved. Dave Ward Drive in Conway is a good example of a signifi-cant improvement producing a significant increase in traf-fic. Other ways we accommo-date additional vehicles is to personally increase travel time and reduce expectations about arriving on time.

As for the next 10 years, we should expect at least an ad-ditional 2,500 vehicles every year. How are we going to ac-commodate this increase in traffic? How are we going to fi-nance the infrastructure that will be necessary?

One way to move more traf-fic swiftly is to use smart traf-fic signaling systems. The term smart systems refers to micro-processor devices that sense, actuate and control traffic sig-nals and vehicles. Smart sys-tems are widely used today in household appliances and in-

dustrial machinery. There are several types of

smart systems. The simplest, and one that is in use in Con-way, is an on-demand response system with sensors at street intersections. These sensors are under the pavement or in cameras near signals. When a vehicle approaches, the sensor actuates the traffic light. This system does not monitor or re-spond to overall traffic flow on the main corridor, which can result in frequent stops. For example, there are 10 traffic signals on Donaghey Avenue between Dave Ward Drive and Meadow Lake Road. I trav-el this route daily and rarely make the trip with fewer than 3 stops. Sometimes I stop as many as 6 or 7 times.

A more sophisticated smart system is proposed for Dave Ward Drive. Referred to as an adaptive system, fiber optic ca-bles with sensors parallel the road. Traffic volume and speed are constantly monitored and sent to a computer, which con-trols signals accordingly. Ideal-ly, you travel the entire length of a corridor with few or no stops.

Finley Vinson, Conway’s traffic engineer, says this pro-posed system will cost between $350 and $500 thousand. Com-pared to upgrading the road, where construction costs range from one to six million dollars per mile, smart systems are a bargain. Motorists save as well in terms of time and gasoline used. According to Vinson the adaptive system works best where the traffic signals are far apart.

Unfortunately, two high-ly congested areas in Conway have numerous signals with short distances between them. One is Donaghey Avenue. The other is East Oak Street from

Harkrider to the Conway Com-mons shopping mall. In that 1.6 miles there are 8 signals.

For roads with a high den-sity of traffic signals, there are promising systems on the ho-rizon being developed by large corporations such as Siemens and IBM. Some systems use cell phones in cars to detect traffic. A cell phone sends out a unique signal if it is turned on, regardless if it is in use. This signal can be picked up and used to monitor traffic. There are applications for cell phones already that use this technolo-gy. One is Inrix, which displays traffic congestion along a route. I often use Inrix to determine if traffic is backed up when I travel to Little Rock. Anoth-er is Google Maps to plot your location on a map and provide directions.

Siemens Corporation has a pilot program in Harrison County Texas (Houston) that uses cell phone signals to con-trol evacuation routes. When a recent hurricane struck, evacu-ation routes became paralyzed. With the proposed technology, traffic will be monitored and alternate routes created and disseminated.

Today’s technology is un-precedented and it touches our lives in ways that we are unaware of and could never have imagined. Every indus-try and service today has been improved by microprocessor technnology. I believe that we will see technology developed in the very near future that greatly improves our driving experiences.

I thank my friend Chris Spatz for editing and helping me with this article.

You can obtain more information on the economy of Conway and Faulkner County by going to the Pulse of Con-way website (www.pulseofconway.com).

Smart traffic systems