Around the District

Zipline Tour

Congressman Womack visits the Zipline facility in Pea Ridge

If you have driven by the Walmart on Slack Street in Pea Ridge, you may have noticed a large platform in the back. It’s a prototype for drone delivery services, which are being tested in the Third District’s backyard. Walmart has partnered with Zipline, a company that uses autonomous vehicles to deliver goods, to create a first-in-the-nation drone delivery network that will enable them to provide an increasing number of customers with fast and convenient access to health and wellness products.

The Zipline technology was first used in Africa, where the organization has delivered hundreds of thousands of shipments of life-saving blood, medicine, and supplies to hospitals and health facilities. As the company expanded, they realized there were opportunities to redefine the supply chain across many sectors, including healthcare, retail and e-commerce, and defense and disaster response.

These "mini-planes" will drop small health and wellness packages to consumers 

They walked us through the capabilities and then showed us how the technology works from start to finish. The drones, which look more like mini-planes, can deliver about four pounds in product anywhere within a 50-mile radius.

The process would start with a customer ordering a product on an app. Once the package is ready to go, the drone would launch with a pre-determined route using GPS tracking. When it reaches its delivery site, it releases the product with a paper parachute attached to the package. Given the range and ability to quickly deliver, the focus of integrating the technology is allowing residents to conveniently receive urgent products without leaving the house. It establishes another safe and contactless on-demand delivery option.

Congressman Womack watches the drone launch 

Sam Walton’s original idea for Walmart was all about thinking big and prioritizing customer service and needs. This pilot program is building on those foundational principles and testing ways to best serve consumers. I’m always proud to see the innovative thinking and methods being developed and leveraged in Arkansas.

Bella Vista Officials

Congressman Womack with Bella Vista officials

I make it a priority to get feedback from our local officials about the challenges and successes our cities are experiencing. I sat down with Bella Vista city officials, including Mayor Peter Christie, City Council Members, and Property Owners Association representatives, to discuss infrastructure, economic development, business updates, and local projects. From the upcoming completion of the Bella Vista Bypass to groundbreaking on the future public safety building, there are a lot of great developments happening. We also talked about the growth of the area, as well as the latest from Washington. A big thanks to Mayor Christie for the presentation and to the other attendees, including Wayne Jertson, Doug Fowler, Steve Bourke, Jim Wozniak, Larry Wilms, John Flynn, Jerry Snow, and Tom Judson, for their time and work. I appreciate their dedication to our community.

Gravette Small Business Tour

Congressman Womack with Gravette Mayor Kurt Maddox and Chamber President Steve Harari

The entrepreneurial spirit of Arkansas is seen throughout the Third District. Our region boasts a range of small, local, and family-owned businesses that support jobs and our community. This week, I traveled to Gravette for a small business tour and was joined by Mayor Kurt Maddox and Chamber President Steve Harari.

Congressman Womack visits Austin Drug 

Our first stop was to Austin Drug. This independent pharmacy is run by a father-son team. They provide a wide variety of services and goods. We spoke about business, the pandemic, and vaccine distribution. The location has been a drug store since the 1950s, when the building was constructed.

Congressman Womack checks out shoe repairs at Soles Saved and Heels Too

Down the street, we headed to another father-son duo at Soles Saved and Heels Too. Danny and Kaiser Falk recently opened their new shoe repair business. They offer complete boot, shoe, and leather repair—and have been busy! They do all the work themselves and even refurbished some of the equipment themselves. Danny said the business was all about leveraging their skills and building a legacy that can be shared by the family.

David Henzie used his art background to open Henzie's Art Studio

We then visited Henzie’s Art Studio, where David Henzie has a studio filled with crafts and art. Residents can purchase various kits or work on their creations in the store. For example, they hosted a class for acrylic painting on wood. The design was an American flag integrated into landscape.

Congressman Womack visits Gravette Nutrition, which was opened by Marisa Crain

Our last stop was Gravette Nutrition. Marisa Crain is passionate about health and nutrition, which was what inspired her to create Gravette Nutrition. The shop is focused on serving shakes and specialty drinks. They have been growing their presence and serving residents since early this year.

These Main Street shops, many of which have opened recently, exemplify hard work, perseverance, and a dedication to ingenuity.

Gentry

Congressman Womack speaks to constituents at the Wooden Spoon

It is always great to stop by the Wooden Spoon and enjoy a great meal and conversation. I joined Gentry Mayor Kevin Johnston, Chamber President Janie Parks, Wooden Spoon owners Justin and Emily Allen, and soon-to-be bakery owners Denise and Dr. John Caswell for lunch. We talked about Congress, the polarizing legislative environment, small business issues, and what inspired them to pursue their restaurant endeavors. We also touched on recent local projects and community developments like the splash pad. I also ran into a few good friends from Rogers.  

Alternative Design Metal

Congressman Womack with some of the Alternative Design Metal team

Made in America—Made in Arkansas! Those are two descriptions I love to hear. Manufacturing is a key engine that powers our economy and supply chain, and Alternative Design Metal in Siloam Springs is a great example of that. Since 1987, the company has made a name for itself producing quality, cost-effective fabricated metal products in their state-of-the-art production facility.

They use cutting-edge technology and equipment to manufacture products in stainless, carbon, or galvanized steel. Their products cover a wide swath of uses, including laboratory supplies, poultry division, construction, and custom metal arts like business card holders, license plate tags, and more.

Congressman Womack looks at products on the manufacturing floor

We went out on the floor, and the manufacturing process and products are impressive. Alternative Design Metal offers custom design capabilities, manufacturing, installation, preventative maintenance, and standard products. As they mentioned, they work directly with customers and suppliers to meet needs and specifications.

They pride themselves on taking on challenges and doing the “impossible.” For example, with their focus on animal housing solutions, the team provides the latest technology and design that not only protects, but also improves the environment of the animals and their caretakers. From animal housing solutions to custom fencing, gates, archways, signs, tables, carts, and machinery—there is state-of-the-art production happening in Siloam Springs.

Congressman Womack looks at the custom design work products. He loves the Razorback items!

I’m proud of our district’s strong manufacturing sector. My goal is to always keep this opportunity growing and to build our local workforce, especially since they emphasized the need for trained employees. We must continue to strengthen and build our pipeline of skilled workers.

I thank the Alternative Design Metal's leadership team and employees, including Grant Loyd, Eddie Loyd, Jessie Loyd, Elton Moore, Terry Martin, and Patti Eiland, for providing an informative tour. The company showcases a family-owned Arkansas business that is providing jobs, supporting our economy, and developing high-quality products to businesses across the state and country.

Russellville

Congressman Womack visits Joshua's Fine Jewelry 

There is a lot of history in the Third District, and our residents are proud to preserve it. I visited Joshua’s Fine Jewelry in Russellville with Rachel Patton, Executive Director of Preserve Arkansas, to tour the historic renovation project of the shop. The owners were able to use the federal historic tax credit to renovate the second floor of the building. This helped expand their small business, while also revitalizing and maintaining the store. It was helpful to see the firsthand impact of policy and how it affects our residents and community. After that, I had to stop by Feltner’s Whatta-Burger for a double-double! I also dropped by my alma mater—Arkansas Tech University—and even took a quick detour to show some of my staff the house I grew up in. Before driving back up to Rogers, I also took some time to see Charlie Blanchard, CEO of First State Bank, and local employees.

Congressman Womack shows off the ATU campus to some of his staffers from D.C.

Before wrapping up this edition of From the Front, I also want to share my thoughts on the situation in Afghanistan. No amount of deflection can absolve President Biden of the lack of leadership and responsibility shown in Afghanistan. This calamitous situation is a direct result of a withdrawal executed with no strategy or blueprint. It was preventable. And let me be clear, I did support us exiting the theatre – I don’t want our nation fighting a "forever war." But, we should always follow the intelligence, pay attention to on-the-ground situations, and have a plan. This execution was botched, and President Biden’s speeches still leave our nation asking – what is the plan? Right now, America is projecting weakness to our adversaries and failure to our allies. Our immediate priority must be getting American citizens and our Afghan partners—who worked alongside our troops—to safety. I also want an investigation and strong congressional oversight into what happened.

Congressman Womack drops by First State Bank

Wishing you a great weekend. I will be in D.C. next week, but please keep your eyes out for a special edition of this newsletter spotlighting our 2021 summer interns. They did excellent work, and I can’t wait for you to read more about their experiences. Remember to keep an eye on my website or check out my Twitter and Instagram pages to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the Third District and Washington. Also, if you are having issues with a federal agency or have a casework question, don’t forget to check out my office’s upcoming mobile office hours here! Find Arkansas vaccine locations here.