Tyronza is making plans
The Jonesboro Sun has a story today about Tyronza's plans for future growth. Tyronza, population 918, lies midway between Jonesboro and Memphis. Building upon its assets, the city has put together a good plan for growth. Tyronza voters approved last week the annexation of land along U.S. Highway 63. The city is working with its neighbors Lepanto and Marked Tree to become an Arkansas Community of Excellence. They are part of the 10 county regional economic development organization Crossroads Coalition. All of this is in the hope that Tyronza can capitalize upon the burgeoning automotive industry and its spin-off in NE Ark.
They have one of the best comprehensive plans I've seen for a small rural community. They are looking at quality of life, regional economic development, and building upon what they have instead of focusing on what is missing. There's no mention in the article of the quality of the school system that services Tyronza or the health of their downtown (I can't recall if Tyronza has a "downtown"). But even without the mention of these areas, it is refreshing to read about a plan for a small Arkansas community that is comprehensive and focused.
They have one of the best comprehensive plans I've seen for a small rural community. They are looking at quality of life, regional economic development, and building upon what they have instead of focusing on what is missing. There's no mention in the article of the quality of the school system that services Tyronza or the health of their downtown (I can't recall if Tyronza has a "downtown"). But even without the mention of these areas, it is refreshing to read about a plan for a small Arkansas community that is comprehensive and focused.
Comments
I can say a little about Tyronza. I've visited there several times since I was a child because it is where my mom grew up.
Tyronza was the sight of the Sharecropper's Revolt in the 1930s. They do have a "downtown," though it is the type that saw its heyday come and go many years ago. The old Tyronza Bank building was turned into a museum/chamber of commerce of sorts, and the remaining townsfolk (many original families have moved to find more opportunity) have banned together to try and do something to save the otherwise dying delta town.
The school district in Tyronza is.....well...... like an other delta school district. Compared to others in the region, however, the school is fairly solvent. I know several teachers at other districts in the delta, and it seems that most delta schools have to work hard to attract teachers not originally from the area, and often that means incentives like housing to sweeten the deal. It's a good gig for a new teacher, if you don't mind a town that rolls up the sidewalks around 9pm.
Tyronza was a major center of commerce at one time, where many cotton farmers brought their crop to the gin or to the railroad. The town has good visibility on the highway, and coupled with Lepanto and Marked Tree there could be some real success.
As an aside, Tyronza proper looks like an oasis in the desert of the delta.... several stands of old growth trees and stately old delta houses dot the highways and old-paved roads. I haven't been there in awhile, but they certainly aren't any worse off than any other delta town.
Posted by: Arkansas Student | November 19, 2006 11:45 PM