Benton County draws an ACE
Posted on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Daily Record photograph by Charles Fowler Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe embraced with Arkansas state Sen. Dave Bisbee after he introduced the governor at NWACC’s Shewmaker Center for Workforce Technologies in Bentonville on Tuesday afternoon.
BENTONVILLE — Members of who’s who of Benton County government were out in full force Tuesday as Gov. Mike Beebe presented the county with the Arkansas Community of Excellence Award.
The ACE Award was presented to the county for its efforts in developing a plan focusing on the future of economic and community development for the county that is specifically designed to promote cross-governmental cooperation with neighboring counties.
According to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the ACE program is used to empower communities to examine where they are in terms of community and economy, and where they want to be in the future.
Benton County is one of only four counties in Arkansas to be given the ACE Award, Beebe said.
“ It is not some plaque you put on a wall because someone felt good about you one day and wanted to give you an award. (The ACE Award ) is a culmination of years of work, ” he said.
“ We are here to say, Benton County, this is your day. You are an ACE community, ” Beebe said. “ That is because of the excellent people who have carved out a place to raise a family and to do business, and for that you are very lucky. ”
Following his speech, Beebe presented County Judge Gary Black and Pea Ridge Mayor Jackie Crabtree with plaques for their efforts in getting the ACE Award for Benton County.
To wrap up the day’s presentation, Black issued a word of advice to Judge-elect Dave Bisbee.
“ I want to issue a threat to the new county judge to make sure to keep this thing going, ” Black told Bisbee. “ You are going to have to be the spark plug and the hammer on this program and get things done. ”
“ I think Judge Black deserves a lot of credit for (the award ), ” Quorum Court member Beverly Williams said. “ A lot of things have happened because he has pushed it. He is very innovative, and he is willing to try things, ” said Williams, citing the work programs for prisoners and recycling programs that Black has worked for during his term as county judge.
“(This award ) means a lot to the community. We have grown a lot in terms of partnerships with other counties, and this just shows that, ” Black said.
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