According to the Cleveland County Herald, incoming Cleveland County Judge Jim Houston says addressing population decline will be a “high priority” when he takes office in January.
Houston won a four-way Republican primary for county judge and is unopposed in the November general election. He said he did not fully recognize the extent of the county’s declining population until it was raised during a political forum by runoff opponent Stephen McClellan of New Edinburg. That discussion, he said, prompted further research and elevated the issue as a central focus for his upcoming term.
Population loss, he noted, has a direct impact on local government and school funding, reducing tax revenue while service demands remain unchanged.
His plan moving forward centers on two primary goals: expanding small business development to create jobs and promoting Cleveland County as a place to live, work and do business.
Rather than targeting large-scale manufacturing, Houston believes the county’s limited workforce and infrastructure make it better suited for growth through smaller businesses that can support larger regional industries in areas such as Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Camden.
With a background in manufacturing and procurement, he spent much of his career identifying local fabricators capable of producing components for larger companies. That experience, he said, highlighted the role small shops play in industrial supply chains and the potential for similar development in Cleveland County.
He also pointed to examples of small operations that grew by supplying nearby manufacturers, including one shop that began producing components for multiple engine builders in its region.
During his campaign, Houston floated the idea of repurposing abandoned poultry houses into small manufacturing spaces, potentially divided into multiple shop units. He said he hopes to bring together residents with business experience to evaluate county assets and develop economic opportunities, with input from both Kingsland and Rison.
Once those resources are identified, the next step would be promoting them outside the county and pairing development efforts with workforce training through local schools. Houston said that could help prepare students for local jobs or encourage entrepreneurship.
He also said Cleveland County needs a stronger identity to attract residents and businesses. While poultry and timber remain the county’s primary industries, he believes the area lacks a defining reputation that sets it apart.
He pointed to neighboring Bradley County’s association with tomatoes as an example of how a local product can shape identity and even inspire new businesses, such as specialty food production.
Houston said developing a similar identity for Cleveland County could help attract entrepreneurs, new residents and investment, ultimately supporting long-term population and school growth.
