City provides industry with abundant resources for growth, success.

Jonesboro is a city of more than 60,000 and is part of a Metropolitan Statistical Area of more than 100,000, with all of the conveniences of a big city and the comforts of a small town. Jonesboro is the fifth-largest city in Arkansas and the second-largest in square miles. Form a triangle by connecting Little Rock, St. Louis and Memphis, and you will see Jonesboro stands out as the largest metropolitan city in what amounts to a 17,000-square-mile triangular area.

The Jonesboro area is a proven leader in a number of categories attractive to business including geography; favorable climate; viable economy; advantageous tax structure; affordable housing; low crime rate; growing medical community; opportunity for education; expanding retail and industrial community; recreational opportunities; cultural, sports and civic organizations; and low utility costs.

The city includes not only attractive plant sites in four industrial parks, but also a high-quality transportation infra structure. Jonesboro is served by two railroads, 35 trucking companies and a regional airport, which offers air service to Dallas/Fort Worth. The Memphis International Airport is only one hour away.

In January the city was rewarded for these criteria by being named 23rd in Expansion Management's 50 Hottest Cities to relocate or expand industry. In May, Forbes.com also ranked the Jonesboro MSA in a list of its top 50 smaller cities for doing business.

In July 2001, Nestle USA announced its decision to invest $200 million to design and build a new frozen foods manufacturing facility in Jonesboro. The 325,000-SF facility will house production of the Stouffer's and Lean Cuisine brands of frozen meals. Production began early in 2003, and officials of the company plan to open a new production line every six months this year. At full production Nestle will employ 1,000.

In addition, Millard Refrigerated Services has partnered with Nestle to provide distribution and temperature-controlled storage for both incoming ingredients and finished product. The Millard facility is more than 200,000 SF and is connected to the Nestle facility.

"The state and the city of Jonesboro obviously know how to work with business," said Jay Weaver, vice president of operations for Nestle USA's Prepared Foods Division. "They've built an industrial infrastructure attractive to the food industry." Weaver also noted the enthusiastic work force, competitive operating costs, a central U.S. location and a strong emphasis on quality of life as deciding factors in the company's decision to locate here.

Kraft Foods' Post Division has expanded its facility in Jonesboro five times since first constructing the cereal plant here in 1988. In addition, Frito Lay completed a $35 million expansion to its Jonesboro facility in 2001.

In September 2002 Thomas & Betts Corp., manufacturer of electrical fittings, announced an expansion to add up to 175 jobs. Great Dane Trailers announced its purchase of Trailmobile's Jonesboro facility and began production there in August 2002 and announced expansion plans in February 2003.

Jonesboro's industry created the Workforce Training Consortium in 1995, designed to provide training and education to manufacturing facilities. The Consortium is unique because its members select the classes and the curriculum. The Consortium is managed by the manufacturing facilities in the community and has provided training and education to more than 4,000 employees to date. Classes are open to the members allowing them to economically train one or 100 employees.

Jonesboro's industrial community also includes ConAgra, General Electric, Hytrol, Riceland Foods, Quebecor World, Haworth Furniture, Angelo Manufacturing, Arkansas Glass Container Corp., B&C Die Cast, BAMA Corp., Colson Caster Corp., Crane Kemlite Inc., Delta Consolidated Industries, International Paper, JMS Metal Services, Sun Ergoline, Trinity Lighting and Jimco Lamp Manufacturing.

BY THE GREATER JONESBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE