Telling someone’s story gives us the gift of seeing the world through their eyes. As the editor of The Courier, I have the distinct pleasure of telling the many stories in our community and specifically the story of our city. Corning’s story has been one of worry and concern in the past six years for our economic health. It bears noting that when times are dark and all seems lost that it’s important to keep the faith and above all, be patient and work toward common goals. The common goal that many citizens of our town have had since the Walmart building was emptied, has been to improve upon our local economy and to bring jobs to our city. The Chamber of Commerce, the mayor and city council, and Growing Corning Together and all our local businesses, have each been instrumental in keeping the course and trying to maintain stability and a thriving community during lean times of our city.

The recent lease of the Walmart facility to Five Rivers Manufacturing (DBA G&H Decoys) is the most promising and hopeful economic endeavor to happen in a very long time. As the General Manager, Brent Sawyer got emotional at the council meeting talking about our community and their business goals in Corning, I found myself tearing up as well, just thinking about the past six years and all the hard work by residents of Corning to keep the city relevant. After the meeting was over, I thanked him, Dr. Martin Eggensberger and Graycen Bigger for their efforts to assist Corning over the years. I expressed gratitude to Rob Hansen and Brent again during my interview with them and told them what this means to the people of Corning. You see, they, along with Graycen, members of the Intermodal, the city council, the mayor, and anyone in positions of trying to implement change, often find themselves in the vulnerable arena of being criticized by those in the cheap seats. Being a changemaker is often a thankless position. You may be familiar with a particular passage from a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt called, “The Man in the Arena” that goes, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

The potential for this new business is the step in the right direction that we have longed for and needed. We have yet to see where this business venture will go, but it looks very promising. It has the potential to be lucrative for the owners and general manager and it looks to bring manufacturing jobs to Corning. It is just the hit of hope that we have needed. When there is hope, there is reason to dream.

I remember when residents were still shellshocked over the sudden loss of Walmart and the fear that we couldn’t recover from it. But we have and we did. We didn’t suffer the large sales tax loss that we thought we would. We stood strong, we’ve purchased locally, we have welcomed small businesses. I remember when Community Development Professor Dr. Mark Peterson told members of Growing Corning Together that one of the steps to enticing new businesses to a town was to find one that correlates within the community. We know that we are an agricultural community, so an agricultural business was always on the table. But we are also a game and fish community and that includes duck hunting. G&H Decoys is a perfect fit for us and for Arkansas. And unbeknownst to many residents, it was our community, our work ethic, our humanity that sold the owners of G&H Decoys on moving the business to Corning. Let me tell you dear citizens of Corning and surrounding communities, you played as big a part in landing this manufacturing business to our town as did the stakeholders. I was so proud of our community as I listened to Rob and Brent tell me that it was our people that was the main incentive to choose the area for their business and to make it their home.

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. You have to realize opportunities and latch onto them when they appear. G&H Decoys may be our city’s turning point. It appears to be a likely prospect to assist Corning in turning the page. And we could use some hopefulness. Every little gain is a movement forward.

If you will, dream with me a moment. One of the joys of life is the ability to envision possibilities. Let’s look about two miles west of Corning and the possible opportunities that I-57 could bring to our community if we play our cards right. Imagine if you will a family of four that has been traveling from St. Louis to Little Rock. They are hungry and tired. Mom and dad need a break to stretch their legs, and the children are cranky from hunger and need to expend some energy and eat. They are driving down I-57 South singing along with 70s on 7 on Sirius Radio and come upon a blue interstate logo sign at an exit that has images of familiar restaurants on it in a town called Corning. The sign depicts McDonalds, Taco Bell, Subway, KFC, Arby’s, and Pizza Inn. Additional signs include gas, Caseys, Exxon and Flash Market, as well as lodging opportunities. In general, food, lodging and gas stations will need to be within 5 miles of an interstate exit, Corning will fit that bill. Along with these interstate signs, will be billboards for the Parkview Restaurant, El Acapulco, American Dragon and any other local eatery that happens to do business in our city.

It’s a nice dream and it could be within reach if we want it badly enough and we put in the work. We are of hearty stock, and we aren’t afraid of the work.

I’ve heard the word, “annexation” uttered several times to me by citizens thinking out loud over the past few weeks. It’s something to at least consider and we don’t want to miss any opportunities. Should a large truck stop position itself along the interstate west of Corning, it could bring several tax dollars to the city if we annexed that far out. As with anything worth doing, it would have its challenges. It would take planning and money. There would be obstacles to overcome for the city, such as providing water, electricity, trash; all the utilities a city has to offer to the newly annexed properties.

I don’t have a map of the future, but I know we have good people here. I also know that a community that doesn’t dare greatly could stunt its own growth.

We know we have good partnerships with the NEA Intermodal, Black River Technical College, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the Arkansas Municipal League and other entities in assisting the city’s growth. No one lives in a vacuum, and it takes relationships and partnerships for progress. We will need city leadership with intelligent and thoughtful stewardship. The time to begin thinking about the future is always the present. In the meantime, let’s savor this feeling of hope for the future. We deserve this moment. We have reason to dream.

Pam Lowe is the editor of the Clay County Courier. Readers may contact Pam at plowe@cherryroad. com