Minimum Wage Increase
Southern’s policy team helped increase the state minimum wage in Arkansas by 21% in 2006.
Payday Lending
On March 18, 2008, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel ordered payday lenders licensed and regulated in Arkansas to stop making loans and forgive all outstanding loans.
Drew, Mississippi
Southern provided grant funding to renovate the dying Main Street in Drew, MS.
Helena Health Foundation
Southern worked with several partners to finance and build a $4.5 million health and wellness facility.
Biodiesel Facility
Residents identified the formation of biodiesel industry as a goal in the Phillips County Strategic Community Plan; however, they were unsure how to attract the industry to Phillips County. After Southern funded a $30,000 feasibility study, the numbers compelled a local investor group to capitalize on the opportunity.
Cherry Street Roofing Project
Helena’s old Main Street buildings were in danger of collapse. Southern provided the $30,000 matching grant for a $500,000 building stabilization effort on historic Cherry Street.
Phillips County Boys and Girls Club
The residents of Phillips County identified the creation of a Boys & Girls Club as a key objective in their strategic plan.
Southern Place Apartments
Southern Place is a $1.5 million low-income housing development of 20 apartments nestled around a large outdoor common area with a gazebo, flower gardens, and picnic areas.
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School
Southern provided $1.4 million in financing along with $400,000 in grants from the Walton Family Foundation to support the KIPP charter school in Helena.
Brianna Jones
The Jones family enrolled in the Asset Builders program June 2005 to save for an addition to their home.