Five new businesses open in Trumann

Mayor Sheila Walters tries to always have good things to report to her fellow mayors whenever they get together at the intergovernmental meeting in Harrisburg.

But this month she had even more good reasons to be proud of Trumann.

Walters said five new businesses took out permits with the city in the month of April and she hopes more are on the horizon.

"We're really trying to move toward the future," Walters said. "Our citizens have really been involved. They passed a bond issue and we are working on water issues so we will have a better infrastructure. We have a new high school coming. And one of our landlords is renovating some buildings downtown."

The new businesses are Kids A-Cat-emy, a day care facility; Custom Communications; Justice Network; M & H Insurance and Security Solutions.

"They are from Tennessee and are kind of checking us out," Walters said of Security Solutions.

Walters said depending on the type of business, Trumann is a viable alternative to Jonesboro for smaller enterprises. The city is only 15 minutes from Jonesboro and has more affordable commercial lease rates.

The city currently has 2,653 jobs in Trumann which has a population near 7,000.

"Why not come down here?" Walters said. "You can lease a building here that is reasonable. It costs a fortune in Jonesboro. We have people now who are renovating old buildings to lease."

Walters said Jeremy Osment, who owns the buildings next to Main Street Café, is currently renovating those historic storefronts.

"It's a good location to put something in there because a lot of traffic goes by there," Walters said.