By Richard Duke, Pine Bluff Commercial

August 9, 2007...A promotional DVD that was in the discussion stages in June is now complete and ready to send to area high schools.

The DVD, titled “Building a Career in Manufacturing: Some Assembly Required,” was screened at the Jefferson County Port Authority meeting Wednesday.

The 10-minute presentation features employees and administrators from area industries including Tyson Foods, Central Moloney Inc., Allied Tube & Conduit and Evergreen Packaging as well as memebers of Southeast Arkansas College.  Lou Ann Nisbett, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County, said that officials at SEARK are working on an industrial maintenance program to coincide with training that is needed for manufacturing jobs in Jefferson County. 

The DVD, which was produced by Waymack & Crew of Little Rock, indicated there are approximately 250 jobs available in the manufacturing industry, with all skill levels highlighted.  Officials with the Alliance said that Watson Chapel Superintendent Danny Hazelwood was very impressed with the DVD and was planning on working with school counselors to providing it to students.

Nesbitt said the DVD, which was made for a cost of about $40,000 and was paid for through several local sponsorships, could be packaged with folders and contact information for the Alliance and individuals from SEARK and UAPB.

The DVD points to an area many residents say is lacking in the county - a deficiency in skilled labor for the jobs available.  Nesbitt said that the presentation could be shown to students in the eighth grade and above so they can find out what training is needed for certain jobs.

In other business, Mike Murphey, terminal manager with the Port of Pine Bluff, gave tonnage reports for the end of July for the Harbor Industrial District Public Terminal, showing a total of 77,139.70 tons, which about half of the entire amount of 2006 and a little more than a third of 2005’s total.

Murphey pointed out that although the bridge collapse in Minnesota had no effect on business at area ports or rail stations, the higher and faster river has caused some barges to pass up ports in Fort Smith and Van Buren for Pine Bluff, “which has been a shot in the arm for us.”

Murphy pointed to an increase of fertilizer to 5,712.42 tons, up from 1,811.09 for all of 2006.  He said that projections for a strong wheat and soybean planting season in 2008 could keep the fertilizer commodity coming into the area.