El Dorado Inc. is celebrating 20 years of helping build the industrial businesses in El Dorado.

There are a number of things that have made El Dorado Inc., a team made up of stakeholders from private business and public entities, successful.

“El Dorado Inc. has been instrumental in development of the industrial park,” said Linda Jolly, executive director.

One reason for their success is the Spec Building program, which helped bring in a lot of businesses.

El Dorado Inc.’s initial project was Pioneer Balloon, which is still located in El Dorado today.

Following that, they also played a role at bringing in the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

“The other thing that’s important to recognize is we have had people who have been members and willing to contribute every year to see growth,” Jolly said.

In fact, some of the original members remain involved today.

“I think the fact that volunteers came to the table over and over again to assist is another signature achievement of El Dorado Inc.,” she said.

El Dorado Inc. got its start on Dec. 10, 1987, when 11 people met and elected 13 other members to an organization which would soon replace the city’s Industrial Advisory Committee.

The following February, the first slate of officers was elected and the work began.
They have had a number of significant accomplishments over the years.

Pioneer Balloon made the decision to come to El Dorado in 1988 and broke ground in 1989.

In 1990, ground was broken on another large project, the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

In 1994, Pioneer Balloon broke ground for an expansion, then in ‘95, Inc. acted as a sponsor of tax credits and financing for a 30-apartment building on North Main and a 76-unit complex on East Central.

In 1997, they sold spec buildings to Aerospace Service and Products and Omega Coating Corporation. In addition, Cannon Valley Woodwork, Inc. purchased a building in the industrial park.

In 2004, Valmont/Newmark signed a lease on an 180,000-square-foot facility owned by the city. In addition, Pioneer Automated Technologies purchased a 30,000-square-foot building in the park, and Curbs Plus was recruited to pen a second manufacturing facility. Wal-Mart also opened their doors to the supercenter on Central and Sutherlands moved in.

The following year Wade and Sharon WIlkinson took an option on the first lot in the business office park.

In 2006, Valmont/Newmark doubled their employment to over 60 employees.

BG Products also made a decision to relocate its shipping facility to El Dorado and Pioneer Balloon completed its addition. Frontier Oil Corp also announced plans to expand the capacity of their El Dorado refinery.

In 2007, Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital announced a $5.5 million room rennovation project. and the city approved a $1.8 million Industiral Revenue Bonds for TNT Custom Fabricators. Construction of the Holiday Inn also was completed.

This year, they are looking forward to the opening of Walgreen’s.

“It’s not all about recruiting,” Jolly said, adding that it was important to help existing businesses expand.

Another change that will be taking place is a change in leadership. Jim Stump took over as president as Marv Loucks stepped down.

Loucks had been a driving force in Vision 20/20.

They also will operate the Convention Visitors Bureau, by contracting with the city this year.

“We’re looking forward to a lot more accomplishments,” Jolly said.