A Better REGION 8

Keeping it local for Small Business Week

In case you were not aware, this week is National Small Business Week. Every year since 1963, the entrepreneurial spirit and its contributions to the economic well-being of America have been recognized by observing National Small Business Week and this year we honor roughly 27 million small operators across America. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and they create 60-80 percent of the new jobs in our country.  That makes them a major contributor to the strength of the U.S.  economy and very important to all of us right here in Region 8. Over the past weeks we’ve shared stories of the flooding of many of our communities. Many homes and many stores have been destroyed in the flooding and thousands of folks have been affected. As the flood waters recede, and the cleanup continues, you all should know that there are hundreds of small businesses, local businesses ran by friends and neighbors, that are ready to help. Locally owned and operated businesses are the backbone of our communities and they deserve the chance to earn our patronage. As we celebrate National Small Business Week, do your part by shopping locally and make this a Better Region 8.

Funding our Future

Earlier this week the Arkansas Department of Higher Education announced that it would award more than 10,000 college scholarships funded by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. If you or someone you know wants to go to college this fall, the deadline to apply for one of these scholarships is June 1^st.  Now whether you like the idea of funding college scholarships through a lottery process or not, you must agree that providing the funding for a college education for over 10,000 2011 Arkansas high school graduates is a good thing. The economic future of our state hinges on the education and retention of our brightest minds. If we can provide them with a top notch education right here, right now, the possibility exists for the creation of top notch jobs for all Arkansans in the future. Our state’s progressive leadership is recruiting companies like NicePak and Nordex with this in mind. If we can create a larger, well educated workforce then more companies and opportunities will follow. Funding thousands of scholarships to Arkansas Schools for Arkansas kids definitely makes this A Better Region 8.

Severe Weather Coverage

With all the bad weather we had last month, I was glad to put it behind us.  While the month of May is typically far worse when it comes to severe weather, April 2011 will go down in the history books as one of the stormiest months ever. Here at KAIT we believe there is nothing we do that is more important than helping keep you safe during severe weather, when your lives and property, or those of your neighbors, are in danger. When a tornado warning is issued, or when our meteorologists determine that weather conditions warrant, our policy is to do whatever is necessary to get the word out, on your phone, on your computer and on your TV including sustained on-air coverage of the storms. At times, that coverage comes with complaints from those not affected by a particular storm. . .Those who don't want their program interrupted. We understand the attachment everyone has with their favorite show, but it our policy will be to remain on the air when there are viewers in danger.  Some folks ask why we don't record the interrupted programs to re-play at a later time. It sounds like a simple solution, but believe it or not, ABC has restrictions that prevent us from doing that most of the time. Others ask why we don't shift continuous weather coverage to our weather channel on 8.2 and return to the regular shows on our primary channel. It's a good question and an option we'd like to have. While our weather channel continues to gain in popularity, KAIT Channel 8 is still the most effective way to deliver information in Region 8. When you're not affected by storms consider yourself lucky. But when you are, rest assured that your storm team is here doing their very best to get you the most accurate information as early as possible, no matter what.  We hope that makes this A Better Region 8.

Helping Neighbors II

Early this week a woman named Michelle called wanting to know how to contact someone to help the flood victims of Region 8. We receive many of these calls, and when we do we try to help the caller connect with an agency that needs their help. Michelle was calling from Northwest Indiana. She lives near Lake Michigan and she had seen a report about our troubles there and wanted to pitch in to help. She told me there was an effort in her community to gather supplies and that she thought the good folks there might be able to send a semi or two of supplies here to help. I put her in touch with the Red Cross and I Think those supplies will be rolling in to Region 8 very soon.  That episode reminded me how many times We have been on the other end of that call. Region 8 always responds when others are in need. When the Midwest flooded in ’93, I remember sending semis loaded with water to St. Louis. When Katrina hit, we literally sent tons of supplies to New Orleans. Now it’s time to look a little closer to home. Our neighbors here in Region 8 need our help now, the will need it when the waters recede, and some will need throughout the next year.  This Monday KAIT and The Jonesboro Radio Group are partnering to help the Local Chapter of the American Red Cross. We hope you can help. Call these numbers on your screen to make a donation or to volunteer to help. Every bit that you can do will stay right here making this A Better Region 8.

Helping Neighbors

The storms of the last few days and the rising waters in the aftermath will leave a permanent mark on Region 8. Thousands evacuated from their homes, millions if not hundreds of millions in damage to crops, businesses, and highway infrastructure. When the waters rose, one of the first groups to respond was you local chapter of the American Red Cross. The local chapter of the Red Cross serves 12 counties. When your area floods, your local chapter is there. Providing food, clothing and shelter so people can get back on their feet.  Your Red Cross chapter is the one there making it happen. It’s a volunteer organization that’s committed to making sure that no one is ever alone in their time of greatest need. And you know, the Red Cross is not a governmental agency, they are a charitable organization. And our local chapter needs your help to take care of folks right here in Region 8.  That’s why KAIT and the Jonesboro Radio Group are dedicating next Monday to raise funds for the Red Cross. If you can help with Bucket Brigades or if you want to get your donation in early call your local chapter of the American Red Cross in Jonesboro or Blytheville. With your help we can all make this A Better Region 8.