Artist's rendering of the new EM building
Major Developments Underway in Downtown Conway
Conway, AR January 19, 2006 — Bentonville based Seayco Group and Conway retailer EM Jeans joined the Conway Downtown Partnership in announcing $3.7 million worth of renovation and new construction projects in downtown Conway. EM Jeans, a Conway retailer for twenty years will invest $1.2 million in a new flagship store on the corner of Oak and Chesnut Streets. The announcement came on the three-year anniversary of a fire that destroyed more than 14,000 square feet of historic retail space at that location. EM will occupy 5,000 sq. ft. of the new 10,000 sq. ft. building, and the remaining space will be available for lease. There will be private parking behind the building.
EM Jeans is a nationally known denim retailer. In October 2005, Teen Vogue voted EM as one of the Top 10 denim retailers in the United States. The store sells more Silver Jeans than any other single location in the nation, and they have the largest selection of premium denim in the south.
Owners Larry Rogers and Liz Snipan hope their investment will encourage additional developers. Snipan said, “EM Jeans has some influence within the fashion industry. We try to stay ahead of the curve. We think our location and building should be just as “fashion forward.”
Halter Building prior to renovations
Artist's rendering of renovated Halter Building
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Site preparation begins on Schlumberger's regional office
Schlumberger to Establish Regional Operation in Conway, Arkansas
Oilfield Service Company Makes Major Investment in Central Arkansas
Houston, December 20, 2005 — Schlumberger announced that it has begun construction on a regional office and service facility on a 20-acre site in the Guy Murphy Industrial Park in Conway. The multi-million dollar complex will include a 16,000 sq. ft. office and shop space and an additional 15,000 sq. ft. shop and warehouse. The complex will also house a cement bulk plant used for cementing of oil and gas wells.
“The Conway facility will be used to service wells drilled by oil and gas operators targeting the development of the Fayetteville shale play in Central Arkansas,” said Don Conkle, Schlumberger’s General Manager for US Land East operations. “Conway was selected as the site for this facility because of its proximity to oil and gas drilling and the critical resources Conway will provide Schlumberger, such as a good potential workforce and the local support structure needed for our business.”
“Schlumberger is a well-known name in the oil and gas industry,” said Gov. Mike Huckabee. “We welcome this global company to Central Arkansas. We know it will find that Conway is a fine business location and will be pleased with the local workforce.”
Conway Development Corporation President Bill Hegeman said, “The CDC enjoyed working with Schlumberger on its search for a site in central Arkansas. Their investment and job creation helps further diversify the local economy, and we hope they will be the first of many oil and gas-related companies to establish operations in the Conway area.”
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Douglas Companies new facility in the Conway Industrial Park
Douglas Companies Finish Major Expansion of Conway Operations
Distribution Company Doubles Size of Facility
Conway, Ark., February 21, 2005 — The Douglas Companies recently finished a major expansion of their Conway facilities, more than doubling in size. With over $100 million in sales, the company moved to Conway in 1978 and has grown into one of the state’s largest privately-held companies.
Douglas Cos. is a distribution business that services convenience stores. With over 1,200 customers, the company supplies every product that isn’t DSD (direct store delivery).
The Conway expansion added 45,000 square feet to the existing facility. The new 79,000 square foot facility includes expanded warehouse, office and refrigerated space. The expansion was the result of a consolidation of Douglas’ other two facilities in Texarkana and Jonesboro.
The company has added over 40 new employees to the Conway location, bringing total employment to over 70. The company makes deliveries each week with its fleet of 12 trucks.
Conway Mayor Tab Townsell said, “We are happy to see an existing business like the Douglas Companies continue to expand and invest in our community. So much of our city’s economic growth comes from existing companies who believe that Conway is as good a place to do business today as it was the first day they opened.” |
