Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington said at a press conference on Tuesday that there were several restaurants that we looking at coming to Pine Bluff before the COVID-19 pandemic, but they were not able to do so due to the pandemic hitting and causing so many different issues within the economy.
Washington spoke with Deltaplex News following the press conference and said the City is working to try to draw more restaurants to the area now that the pandemic is over, and what needs to happen in order to help draw them in.
She also stated that the City is working to help recruit restaurants into vacant buildings along Main Street by referring potential business owners to the real estate companies that are leasing those buildings out.
Additionally, Washington said continuing to work to make people feel safe in Pine Bluff is another key to drawing in new business. She said that the 3/8 cent sales tax that is on the upcoming ballot will be key to helping the city continue to combat crime.
Washington said part of combating crime is reaching kids earlier and working to keep them out of a life of crime and working towards being productive in society.
She also said that she has plans that she would like to see put into play over the next two years in order to reduce crime and increase population in Pine Bluff.
