ROGERS -- Mayor Greg Hines discussed job growth, capital purchases and city amenities during his sixth state of the city address Tuesday.
"As each year passes, I become more excited about our direction and the possibilities on the horizon," Hines said to a packed room. "In the last five years we have accomplished so much in Rogers, both publicly and privately."
Hines said private capital in the city was $50 million in 2015. He said this contributed to creating about 1,450 jobs and an unemployment drop from 5.4 percent to 3.2 percent
Economic improvement has been steady since he took office five years ago, Hines said.
"Our 1 cent sales tax has increased 25 percent over the past five years after having several years of flat or negative growth," Hines said. "The growth in 2015 represented an eight percent increase over 2014 and we broke the $16 million mark for one penny sales tax."
Casey Wilhelm, Rogers financial director, said an increase in sales tax allows the city to pay for projects that otherwise would need bond referendums.
"We are able to cash-flow projects," Wilhelm said. "We don't have to enter into to new debt for new projects."
Hines said some of these projects includes buying land for the Lake Atalanta expansion and completing a new fire station.
The city also purchased the former Rogers Morning News which is planned to house the Rogers Historical Museum expansion. The purchase of another property will house a future farmers market downtown.
The farmers market will enhance amenities already in Rogers, Hines said.
"After years of listening to the voices of many in the community and taking the time to patiently observe for myself, it became apparent to me last year that if the city was going to partner with or be associated with a farmers market, something had to change," Hines said.
Hines said he believes Main Street Rogers is capable of taking on the challenge of starting a new market in the city.
The city has committed some money to Main Street for the start of the market. The city increased its contribution to Main Street from $60,000 in the 2015 budget to $85,000 in the 2016 budget.
An additional $20,000 was approved by the city for design work on a building it owns at 101 Cherry St. The city purchased the property the building sits on for $365,000 last year.
Jessica Rush, Main Street Rogers, said the market will be a way to draw people to downtown.
"It boils down to having good local farmers bringing produce and crafts to our community members," Rush said.
"In a few short months, the market will open on a newly acquired city owned property," Hines said. "As we grow closer to the completion of Lake Atalanta, the opening of the farmers market and the completion of road projects leading in the downtown, her future has never been brighter.
NW News on 01/27/2016