Council approves nonbinding LOI with Loblolly Creamery; residents urge Innovation Hub or firefighter museum instead

Council read a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to enter a nonbinding letter of intent with Loblolly Creamery LLC to negotiate purchase of a former Central Fire Station property.

Five public speakers addressed the council. Tobias, a former Innovation Hub member, urged the council not to approve the LOI and to consider turning the building back into an Innovation Hub: “I would like you guys to vote against this resolution and, consider the innovation hub as an alternative tenant for that building,” he told the council. Diane Skinner and others emphasized the community value of the Innovation Hub. Bob Franklin, speaking for the Arkansas Firefighter Museum, said his group has studied the site and would pay utilities and maintain the exterior and asked the council to consider the museum as an alternative use.

Economic development staff described the Loblolly proposal as an early‑stage manufacturing and retail project that could qualify for state incentives and bring jobs and sales tax revenue. The city’s economic developer told council the project could create roughly "up to 50" jobs while the company performs due diligence over the next 90 days. After hearing public comment and staff presentation, the council voted to adopt the resolution authorizing the letter of intent; the LOI is nonbinding and will allow the city and Loblolly to negotiate details during the due diligence period.