March 2015

JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling accepts scrap metal, electronics

PAGE 6D

Setting a new standard in Arkansas for recycling

Faulkner County Business Journal To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat2D — Sunday, March 15, 2015

An awards ceremony recognizing in-dividuals and businesses that have made a difference in Conway over the past year is one of the highlights of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting. The following award recipients will be recognized at the 2015 event, which is scheduled for March 19 at the University of Central Arkansas’ HPER Center.

Distinguished Service AwardThe Distinguished Service Award is

the Chamber’s highest form of recogni-tion. Established in 1957, this award is presented annually to an individual or group who has rendered special service for the benefit of the community. Can-didates have demonstrated an active leadership role for the betterment of the community through their involvement in business, civic and social service or-ganizations.

Stephen L. Strange Sr.President, American Management

CorporationStephen L. Strange Sr. is president

and founder of American Management Corporation. He grew AMC from a small insurance agency to a major corporation that serves insurance companies, petro-leum companies, franchise operations, and independent insurance brokers and agents. With 200 employees in down-town Conway, the company has helped transform the area into a hub for white-collar jobs.

Mr. Strange was instrumental in launching a degree program in insur-ance and risk management at the Uni-versity of Central Arkansas, which has become one of the top 15 collegiate in-surance programs in the nation. Mr. Strange is also a civic leader and phi-lanthropist. He has helped with numer-ous capital campaigns and fundraising efforts in support of Hendrix College, UCA, Conway High School, the Boys and Girls Club, Braves Field, and Ar-kansas Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Linda TylerHuman Resources Executive, Tar-

getSmart CommunicationsAs a former member of the Arkan-

sas House of Representatives, Linda Ty-ler is a well-known leader in Conway. During her term in the state legislature from 2009-2012, Ms. Tyler chaired the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Com-mittee and co-chaired the Taskforce for Abused and Neglected Children.

Ms. Tyler’s volunteer and communi-ty service is extensive. She is the cur-rent chairperson of the Conway Region-al Foundation Board and served on the board for Conway Regional Health Sys-tem for 12 years, including as board chairperson from 1989-1990. Other community service involvement has in-cluded the National Association for the

Advancement of Colored People, the University of Central Arkansas board, and the National Kidney Foundation, among others. Ms. Tyler is a human re-sources executive at TargetSmart Com-munications and previously worked as a senior executive for Acxiom.

Good Neighbor AwardEstablished in 1973, the Good Neigh-

bor Award is presented annually to an individual who has given of his or her time and talents. Candidates are known for going beyond the call of duty to help others. The nominee exemplifies out-standing public service to the Conway area.

Debra RobinsonExecutive Director, Faulkner County

Senior Citizens CenterDebra Robinson has devoted her ca-

reer to enriching the lives of senior citi-zens in Faulkner County. For more than 35 years, she has served as executive director of the Faulkner County Coun-cil on Aging, which consists of six senior citizens centers, including the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness & Activi-ty Center in Conway. Ms. Robinson led the $2 million fundraising campaign to purchase and renovate the new Con-way Center. Since it opened at its new location in September 2014, daily at-tendance has increased by nearly 50 percent and activity participation has

increased by 75 percent. She also over-sees the program’s meal delivery ser-vice, which prepares and delivers more than 70,000 meals to seniors’ homes each year.

Ms. Robinson’s expertise in her field is widely respected; she has appeared before the U.S. Congress to address is-sues pertaining to senior citizens.

Business Executive of the YearThe Business Executive of the Year

Award recognizes the owner, executive or president of a business who has dis-played outstanding performance in ei-ther an individual or collaborative en-deavor. The nominee is a driving force behind the company and works to main-tain an enriched business climate and an enhanced quality of life in Conway.

Todd RossPresident & CEO, Preferred MedicalTodd Ross is president and CEO of

Preferred Medical. Mr. Ross purchased the medical supply company in 2002 and relocated it from North Little Rock to Conway. Since the acquisition, sales have increased from $1 million to $50 million annually.

Mr. Ross serves on a number of boards related to his industry and the community. He is the chairman-elect for the Health Industry Trade Associa-tion, a national medical supply associa-tion, and is on the board of directors for the Health Industry Distributor Associ-ation. Mr. Ross is also a member of the University of Central Arkansas Foun-dation’s board of directors, where he is on the facilities committee. He has pur-chased buildings and property in down-town Conway with plans to enhance the area with additional entertainment, dining, office space and housing options.

Young Business Leader of the YearThe Young Business Leader Award

recognizes a community business lead-er, age 40 or younger, who has helped create a more vibrant business and so-cial environment for all of Conway’s res-idents.

Danny PatelGeneral Manager/Owner, Country

CHAMBER < 3D

Conway Chamber’s Annual Meeting award recipients named

Submitted Photo

Linda Tyler, Distinguished Service Award

Submitted Photo

Stephen L. Strange Sr., Distinguished Service Award

Submitted Photo

Debra Robinson, Good Neighbor Award

Faulkner County Business Journal Sunday, March 15, 2015 — 3D Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

Inn & SuitesDanny Patel is the owner and gen-

eral manager of Country Inn & Suites. The hotel has received numerous awards since it opened in 2009, includ-ing the Trip Advisor Excellent Hotel Award (2009-2014), the Best Guest Sat-isfaction Award (2010-2014), as well as the President’s Award (2010-2014) and Best Hotel Award (2010) from Country Inn & Suites.

Mr. Patel devotes his time and servic-es to support causes dear to him. He of-fers free hotel accommodations to vet-erans and to the Arkansas Association for the Blind. He is an active membe of the Conway Area Chamber of Com-merce, the Conway Development Corpo-ration, and serves as a commissioner for the Conway Advertising and Promotion Commission. In 2012, Mr. Patel received the Chamber’s Minority Enterprise De-velopment Outstanding Entrepreneur award.

Business of the YearThe Business of the Year Award rec-

ognizes businesses for their continued growth, innovation and community in-volvement. It is the premier honor to the best overall business in Conway and is presented in the following categories: Outstanding Nonprofit, Outstanding Hospitality, Outstanding Retailer, Out-standing Large Employer (100 employ-ees or more), and Outstanding Small Business (99 employees or fewer).

OUTSTANDING NONPROFITFaulkner County Council on Ag-

ing/Senior Citizens CenterThe Faulkner County Council on Ag-

ing’s mission is to help senior adults re-main active and independent and to en-hance their quality of life. Established in 1974 as a small program in Conway, the organization now manages six se-nior citizens centers, prepares more than 135,000 meals each year for the centers as well as for home delivery, and provides transportation to seniors’ med-ical appointments.

Forty years after its founding, the Faulkner County Council on Aging com-pleted a $2 million “Make It Happen” campaign to purchase and renovate a new 18,750-square-foot Conway center.

Since it opened in September 2014, the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness and Activity Center has experienced a nearly 50 percent increase in daily at-tendance. Various, no-cost outreach pro-grams and services, including a new fit-ness center, have led to a 75 percent increase in activity participation.

OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITYConway Management Inc.Conway Management Inc. is a pri-

vately owned investment company spe-cializing in hotel ownership, manage-ment and consulting. Four local hotels – Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Com-fort Suites, Candlewood Suites, and Comfort Inn & Suites – comprise Con-way Management. The company also owns How Do You Roll?, a fast-casual sushi restaurant located in The Village at Hendrix.

Whether the goal is to provide com-fortable accommodations to tourists and business travelers or to bring an uncon-ventional food establishment to Conway diners, Conway Management keeps ex-cellent customer service at the forefront. The company has been part of the Con-way community for more than 30 years and continues to look for ways to en-hance the place it calls home.

OUTSTANDING RETAILERBell & Sward Gentlemen’s Cloth-

ierWhen Bell & Sward Gentlemen’s

Clothier opened its doors in April 2014, it became Conway’s first clothing store in 15 years to cater exclusively to men. Bell & Sward has not only filled a void in the community when it comes to men’s fashion; it also has helped en-hance downtown Conway’s reputation as a shopping destination. The retail-er carries a number of brands typically only available in more populated areas, attracting shoppers from around cen-tral Arkansas.

Customers can expect to receive a personalized shopping experience at Bell & Sward – from wardrobe planning to custom tailoring. Owners Erik Sward and Zanette Bell are usually on hand to provide one-on-one assistance to each customer who walks in the door.

OUTSTANDING LARGE EMPLOYER

Conway Regional Health SystemWith 1,260 employees and $60 million

in total workforce compensation, Con-way Regional Health System is among the largest employers in Faulkner County. Conway Regional works to im-prove the health of the communities it serves through its acute-care medical center, rehabilitation hospital, national-ly recognized fitness center, outpatient imaging center, therapy centers, and its six medical clinics located through-out Faulkner County and surrounding counties.

Conway Regional’s compassion for the community was most evident in April 2014 when the Emergency De-partment staff cared for more than 120 patients after a tornado struck the communities of Mayflower and Vilonia. President Barack Obama recognized the staff’s life-saving efforts during his visit to the state following the storms. In September 2014, Conway Regional became the first organization in its five-county market area to receive the pres-tigious Arkansas Governor’s Quality Award for its commitment to excellence in medical care.

OUTSTANDING LARGE EMPLOYERKlaasmeyer Construction Com-

panyEugene Klaasmeyer founded Klaas-

meyer Construction Company in 1971 with one cable plow, one backhoe and five employees. The Conway-based utili-ty contracting company has since grown to a $30 million-a-year business with 140 full-time employees, a large num-ber of subcontractors, and a client port-folio spanning 12 states. Klaasmeyer Construction is the master contractor for Windstream Communications. The company also has worked for AT&T, Ve-rizon, CenturyTel, DeSoto Gathering Company, Arkwest Communications, Level 3 Communications, and other in-dependent companies in the region.

In its early years, Klaasmeyer Con-struction brought the first telephone service to several rural communities in Arkansas. Today the company brings high-speed, fiber optic service to homes and businesses as well as constructs wa-ter and natural gas pipelines. As part of its scope of work, Klaasmeyer Construc-tion responds to hurricanes, ice storms

and tornadoes and provides volunteer assistance to local communities affected by natural disasters.

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESSArkansas Eye Care GroupArkansas Eye Care Group offers a

full spectrum of optometric eye care ser-vices, including complete eye exams, contact lenses and glasses, glaucoma testing, pre-operative and post-opera-tive surgical care, low-vision rehabilita-tion, and LASIK eye surgery. The eye care clinic relocated its practice to the western side of Conway to provide con-venient service to residents in that growing part of the city. Arkansas Eye Care Group also has an office in Clin-ton.

The clinic’s four optometrists – Dr. Shane Ford, Dr. Eric Robbins, Dr. Hunt-er Scaife and Dr. James McCoy – have been active members of their state and national associations since beginning their practice. The doctors’ commitment to their industry is reflected in Arkan-sas Eye Care Group’s comprehensive services and exceptional care. The clinic provides free vision care and glasses for the Vision USA program and the Bran-don Burlsworth Foundation.

OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESSArkansas Roofing Kompany/

Equinox Outdoor ConceptsArkansas Roofing Kompany is a full-

service roofing company serving the res-idential and commercial roofing mar-ket. Its sister organization, Equinox Outdoor Concepts, specializes in solar-powered louvered roofs that transform outdoor spaces with the touch of a but-ton. To date, the company has installed more than 100 solar-powered louvered patio coverings on residential and com-mercial projects across the state. Ar-kansas Roofing Kompany and Equinox Outdoor Concepts have participated in 15 home shows and local events in Ar-kansas, winning “Best of Show” in the 2014 Northwest Arkansas Home Show in Springdale.

Owners Debbie and Tim Goodwin consistently give their time and resourc-es to better the community. The couple designed two areas for the 2014 Conway

CHAMBER < 9D

CHAMBER from 2D

To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat4D — Sunday, March 15, 2015 24242424242424242424242424242424242424242424242424242424242424242424242424

Sunday, March 15, 2015 — 5D Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat6D — Sunday, March 15, 2015

JSI Metal and electronIc

recyclIng acceptS Scrap Metal, electronIcS

Since opening in the fall of 2012, JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling and U-Pull It of Conway’s mission has been simple---to BE THE BEST! Be the best with customer service, be the best with honest business prac-tices, be the best in our industry. This 2nd and 3rd generation run busi-ness has dedicated itself to provid-ing the top level service our commu-nity expects and deserves.

JSI Metal and Electronic Recy-cling still pays cash for your scrap metal, from tin and aluminum to copper, old car bodies and brass. Whether you are a consumer or busi-ness, large or small, JSI stands ready to maximize your scrap for the best price. Along with being able to bring your scrap to them, JSI offers a wide range of commercial services which include a fleet of trucks, roll-off box-es and trailers to assist in whatev-er your on-site project or job may re-quire.

They offer a clean, neat environ-ment and friendly service. Their cer-tified scale and pull through non-ferrous material drop off is set up with the customer in mind. A knowl-edgeable and friendly staff is there to help you with your recyclables so that you can be in and out quickly.

They operate as a good corporate citizen, following all applicable laws to do their part in cutting down on theft and maintaining standards that are environmentally safe.

And now, JSI is proud to announce they are accepting electronics. You can bring your electronics to JSI any day of the week for no charge. What electronics can you recycle?

• Computer Monitors • Laptops• Computers/Desktops

• All-in-one PCs• Cell Phones• Networking Equipment• Servers• Telecom Equipment• DVD PlayersThe only item not accepted for re-

cycling is CRT glass.According to one report, nearly

75% of old electronics continue to be stored in households and businesses

because of the unavailability of con-venient recycling options. I bet you didn’t know, by recycling your old cell phone, you are recycling gold, silver, palladium and copper. Do you have an old laptop, printer, or fax machine taking up space in your closet?

Spring is now here, and what bet-ter way to start that spring clean-ing than to bring those old electronic

pieces and scrap metal to JSI. Elec-tronic, or E-recycling, with JSI is now your convenient option!

The thought of recycling electron-ics can be a little unnerving to most, but JSI wants to put your mind at rest. JSI Metal and Electronic Re-cycling utilizes the R2/RIOS (Re-sponsible Recycling Practices/Recy-cling Industry Operating Standard) standard. The R2/RIOS certification is solely for electronics recyclers to demonstrate to customers that elec-tronic equipment is being recycled with the highest standards for en-vironmental protection, worker and customer health and safety, data pri-vacy and facility security. JSI wants to meet the highest recycling bench-marks so that their customers can be reassured their scrap electronics

JSI METAL < 7D

Submitted Photo

A Fuchs machine unloads scrap metal from a customer’s trailer.

Setting a New Standard in Arkansas for Recycling

“Being able to assure customers and companies that their sensitive personal and business data is destroyed

responsibly and permanently will allow them to recycle their electronics with us without worry.”

—Raegan Moore

Faulkner County Business Journal

Sunday, March 15, 2015 — 7D Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

SubMitted Photo

Female college students from the University of Central Arkansas and Central Baptist College attended a “Women in Business” roundtable on Wednesday, March 11, hosted by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. Women in Business award recipients from 2012 to 2014 met with the 17 juniors and seniors in small groups. They facilitated discussion about mentorship and what it means to be a successful woman in business and offered advice to empower the soon-to-be college graduates. Following the 45-minute roundtable, the eight professionals formed an open panel and took questions from the students. The panelists included Melissa Britton, Tess Fletcher, Jackie Fliss, Toby Hart, Crystal Kemp, Linda Linn, Candace Meeks and Michelle Parsley.

Women in Business Roundtable

SubMitted Photo

This machine loads scrap metal into the baler to crush into bales.

are processed correctly and responsi-bly. Data security and environmen-tal compliance are crucial when re-cycling electronics.

“We are very excited about e-recy-cling. Being able to assure custom-ers and companies that their sen-sitive personal and business data is destroyed responsibly and per-manently will allow them to recy-cle their electronics with us without worry,” said Raegan Moore.

We cannot forget to mention our sister business, U-Pull It of Conway. U-Pull It of Conway, located at 850 Simon Road in Conway, is the best option for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself crowd.

With over 5 acres of cars, trucks,

minivans, and SUV’s, customers are almost guaranteed to find what they are looking for.

With a friendly, helpful staff and new inventory out weekly, U-Pull It of Conway is the new standard for pulling your own parts in Central Arkansas!

The most exciting news yet for JSI Metal and Electronic Recycling and Arkansas is that JSI has been certified as a WOSB/WBE (Woman Owned Small Business/Woman Busi-ness Enterprise).

“With the standards we follow ev-eryday on the job and our certifica-tion as WOSB/WBE, we are ener-gized about the future of JSI and UPI in Conway,” said Susan Linn McCoy. “Big or small, we can handle the job!”

JSI METAL from 6D

Faulkner County Business Journal

Faulkner County Business Journal To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat8D — Sunday, March 15, 2015

Charlotte Strickland, founder and owner of Strickly Speaking, will be the guest speaker at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Administrative Professionals Awards luncheon. The in-augural event is set for 11:30 a.m. on Administrative Professionals Day – Wednesday, April 22 – and will take place in Childers Dining Hall at Central Baptist College.

Strickland currently serves as pro-fessional development and training co-ordinator at the University of Central Arkansas, where she provides campus-wide training on subjects such as di-versity, customer service, workplace ha-rassment and supervisory skills. She has worked in higher education for 30 years, coordinating academic courses in

orientation, ethics and leadership and providing leadership seminars to stu-dent organizations.

In 1989, Strickland joined Designs for Development, a company that spe-cializes in training student leaders across the United States. In 2002, she founded her own company, Strickly Speaking. In addition to college cam-puses, her audiences include churches, civic groups, government agencies and corporations. Most recently, Strickland joined Speakers of Significance, a Tex-as-based company that offers the servic-es of 14 speakers to companies, colleges and communities across the country.

Strickland, a native of Little Rock, earned a business degree from UCA and a master’s degree in higher educa-

tion from the University of South Caro-lina. She and her husband, Mark, live in Conway and have three children – Reed, Connor and Alyssa.

The inaugural Administrative Pro-fessionals Awards luncheon honors ad-ministrative support staff, executive as-sistants, office and facility managers, office clerks, receptionists, and other ad-ministrative professionals. The nomina-tion process for the Outstanding Admin-istrative Professional Award has ended, and the finalists will be announced pri-or to the event.

To purchase tickets to the Adminis-trative Professionals Awards luncheon, contact chief operating officer Lindsay Henderson at 501-932-5403 or Lind-say@ConwayArkansas.org. Charlotte Strickland

William Wilson, president and CEO of Jim Wilson & Associates, will be the featured guest at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting. The business event – under-written by Southwestern Energy and presented by Crafton Tull, Hewlett-Packard and the University of Central Arkansas Foundation – will take place Thursday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. in UCA’s recently renovated HPER Cen-ter.

Wilson oversees development ac-tivities for Jim Wilson & Associates, a privately owned real estate company specializing in shopping centers, resi-dential real estate investments, offices, condominiums, hotels and mixed-use developments. The Montgomery-based company is currently developing Cen-tral Landing at the former site of the Conway airport. The 150-acre, mixed-use development is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

In his role at Jim Wilson & Asso-ciates, Will Wilson is responsible for site selection and acquisitions, nego-tiations with retail tenants, expansion of existing projects, and all aspects of planning and developing new projects.

The Alabama native began his real estate career in 1990 in the offices of California-based Donahue Schreiber before returning to his home state in 1992 to head the development depart-ment for Jim Wilson & Associates.

In addition to the CEO-level guest speaker, another highlight of Annu-al Meeting is an awards presentation honoring individuals and businesses that have made a difference in Con-way over the past year. The awards sponsor is 501 LIFE.

William Wilson

Leadership trainer, educator to deliver keynote at inaugural awards luncheon

Central Landing developer to speak at Annual Meeting

Address.............Beds/Baths.........Subdivision..........SQFT..........$/SqFt.......Built

54 Richland Hills...........5/3/0.................Richland Hills.............3584...............106.86...........19951745 Centennial Club....4/3/1................Centennial Valley........3355 ..............111.77...........20023235 Marlsgate Drive....4/4/0.................Falcon Crest................3700...............100.00...........20031065 Applewood Cove.....4/3/1................Applewood Cove.........3315...............102.26...........20061405 S Salem...................5/4/0................Southwind..................3339.................97.33...........2007

TOP RESIDENTIAL SALES, MARCH

Faulkner County Business Journal Sunday, March 15, 2015 — 9D Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

Symphony Orchestra Designer House, volunteer regularly with the Arkansas Dream Center, and hire and train college students for apprenticeships.

About Annual MeetingIn addition to the awards, Annu-

al Meeting features a CEO-level speak-er. This year’s speaker is William Wilson, president of Jim Wilson & Associates, a

Montgomery-based, privately owned real estate company. The company specializes in shopping centers, residential real es-tate investments, offices, condominiums, hotels and mixed-use developments.

Jim Wilson & Associates is currently developing Central Landing, a 150-acre, mixed-use development located at the former site of the Conway airport. Cen-tral Landing is scheduled to be complet-ed in 2017.

CHAMBER from 3D

Toad Suck Daze is partnering with United Way of Central Arkansas to sell corporate festival T-shirts. United Way is accepting corporate orders now until Tuesday, March 31.

Corporate orders must consist of a minimum of 10 shirts. The shirts range in price from $15 to $20, depending on size. Corporate T-shirts are customized to include a business or organization’s logo on the left sleeve at no addition-al cost. The logo will be either black or white, depending on the shirt color. The 2015 T-shirt is available in mul-tiple colors for youth and adults siz-es. This year’s festival design features “Toad Suck Daze 2015” written in an outline of the state of Arkansas.

Proceeds from Toad Suck Daze, in-cluding T-shirt sales, support the fes-tival’s primary goal – raising mon-ey to promote education initiatives in Faulkner County. To date, the festival has awarded more than $1.5 million in the form of direct scholarships, endow-ments and a pre-K initiative.

This year, United Way of Central Arkansas will receive $1 for every cor-porate T-shirt sold. Proceeds will ben-efit 19 funded partner agencies in Faulkner County. To place a T-shirt or-der for your organization or compa-ny, email Kelsey Powell at k.powell@uwark.org or call 501-327-5087 for an order form. Shirts will be available approximately two weeks after the deadline. Toad Suck Daze shirts for the public will be available at the Toad Store and at the festival, which takes place May 1-3. Additional designs will

be available, along with other mer-chandise.

The Toad Store is located at 1321 Oak Street and officially opens Sat-urday, March 28, at 10 a.m. Its regu-lar business hours will be Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Toad Store will be open on select Sundays leading up to the festi-val. To learn more about United Way of Central Arkansas and to view a complete list of funded partner agen-cies, visit www.unitedwaycentralark.org. For more information about Toad Suck Daze, visit ToadSuck.org.

Toad Suck Daze, United Way partner to sell corporate T-shirts

SubMitted Photo

United Way of Central Arkansas is accepting cor-porate T-shirt orders through Tuesday, March 31. United Way will receive $1 for every corporate T-shirt sold. Proceeds will benefit 19 funded partner agencies in Faulkner County.

SubMitted Photo

The Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and 501 Life, the 2015 Annual Meeting Awards sponsor, recog-nized this year’s Annual Meeting honorees during a reception at Zimmerman events center. More than 80 nominations were submitted this year.

To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat10D — Sunday, March 15, 2015

Faulkner County Business Journal Sunday, March 15, 2015 — 11D Log Cabin Democrat • Find our online edition at www.thecabin.net

What if your children could procure a “fast-pass” and hop to the front of the line at Toad Suck Daze’s popular Toad Races? This is just one exclusive benefit children ages 12 or under can receive through a Toad Suck Kids Club membership.

The Toad Suck Kids Club is a new part of Toad Suck Daze. Mary Margaret Satterfield, director of Toad Suck Daze and events at the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Kids Club is a per-fect fit for the largest, free-admission, family festival in Arkansas.

“Surveys have shown that families with children make up Toad Suck Daze’s largest group of attend-ees,” she said. “The Kids Club is a great way for this population to get the most out of their festival expe-rience.”

For $25, Toad Suck Kids Club members receive a number of perks. A Kids Club T-shirt and wrist-band are part of the membership and serve as iden-tification when claiming a goodie bag from the Toad-al Kids Zone or seeking a spot in the Kids Club line at the Toad Races. Kids Club members also receive five Toad Bucks. Membership does not cease at the end of the festival; the Toad Master will mail each Kids Club member a card on his or her birthday.

Toad Suck Kids Club memberships will be avail-able for purchase at the Toad Store, which opens Sat-urday, March 28, at 10 a.m. Parents can also order a Kids Club membership online at ToadSuck.org and pick it up at the Toad Store.

A fast-pass to the Toad Races means nothing with-out a toad. As is customary in Faulkner County, el-ementary-aged students will receive a Toad Toter at their schools prior to the festival.

These boxes, which are donated by International Paper and sponsored by the Log Cabin Democrat, are used to transport toads to Toad Races. A community-wide Toad Round-up takes place after the Toad Toter delivery and before the festival.

The 34th annual Toad Suck Daze festival will take place May 1-3 in downtown Conway. For more infor-mation about the festival, visit ToadSuck.org.

Toad Suck memberships available March 28Unemployment Rate

AnnualUS............................................6.2%Arkansas.................................6.4% Faulkner County.................... 5.9%Conway....................................5.8%

Sales Tax Collections Conway*December

2014...............................$2,423,2692013.................................2,300,576Percent Change 5.3%

Annual2014.............................$23,416,6282013.............................$23,235,8912012...............................22,944,163Percent Change 2013-14 .78%*Tax Rate 1.75% Faulkner County*

December2014..................................$872,8772013....................................818,592Percent Change 6.6%

Annual2014...............................$8,774,1092013.................................8,588,8352012.................................8,465,686Percent Change 2013-14 2.2% *Tax Rate 0.5% Restaurant Sales*

January2015.............................$13,829,4572014...............................12,461,251Percent Change 10.9%

Annual Sales 2014...........................$176,205,9652013...........................$164,519,3692012...........................$161,318,563Percent Change 2013-14 7.1%*Including mixed drink sales Hotel Sales

January

2014...............................$1,274,1122013................................1,216,242Percent Change 4.8%

Annual Sales2014.............................$19,336,1692013...............................18,559,3082012...............................18,683,677Percent Change 2013 – 2014 4.2%

Conway Building Permits Single Family Homes

Annual2014.............................119 permits2013............................147 Permits2012............................186 Permits 2011...............................53 PermitsPercent Change 2013 – 2014 -19.0%

Average Construction Cost*Annual

2014..................................$220,3112013....................................228,2752012....................................207,5372011...................................204,387 Percent Change 2013 – 2014 -3.5%*Not including land or lot im-provements

Average Square Footage*Annual

2014........................................2,9292013........................................3,0022012........................................2,9102011......................................-2,814Percent Change 2013-2014 -2.4%

Average Construction Cost Per Square Foot*

Annual2014......................................$75.222013........................................76.042012........................................71.332011........................................72.64Percent Change

2013 – 2014 -1.1%* Total under roof vvLottery Sales

Faulkner CountyYear to Date February

2015...............................$2,732,4612014.................................2,525,487Percent Change 8.2 %Annual2014.............................$14,193,2042013...............................17,038,2772012...............................16,943,909Percent Change 2013 - 2014 -16.7%

Total StateYear to Date February

2015.............................$77,139,3152014...............................69,550,685Percent Change 10.9%

Annual 2014...........................$401,251,3652013.............................432,932,7992012.............................452,245,215Percent Change 2013 - 2014 -7.3% Natural Gas

Severance Tax Distribution ConwayAnnual

2014..................................$363,8372013....................................276,5232012....................................162,523Percent Change 2013 - 2014 31.6%

Faulkner County

Annual2014..................................$296,4112013....................................224,4552012....................................131,418Percent Change 2013 – 2014 32.1%Information provided by Pulse of Conway

EconomyGlance

To subscribe call (501) 329-2927 • Log Cabin Democrat12D — Sunday, March 15, 2015