Camden Arkansas supports the expansion of existing retail businesses and the recruitment and development of new retail businesses.

The City has established a Retail Development Incentives Fund administered by Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development (OPED).  The Fund is used exclusively for retail projects which are relocating to or expanding within the corporate limits of Camden and which are projected to generate new retail sales which in turn raise new City of Camden sales taxes. Eligible recipients of these incentives are any retailer, any developer, or any owner of retail property in Camden is eligible for this incentive. The Fund is a discretionary fund and may be used only to support an expansion or location which would otherwise not likely happen without an incentive offer.

Eligible projects include, but not be limited to, these purposes:

• Road improvements, including turning lanes, traffic lights, resurfacing, lowering of grades, new extensions, and intersection improvements.

• Drainage improvements, including culverts, piping, and impoundment structures.

• Utility extensions.

No Retail Development Incentive can be effective and no payment made until a written contract has been executed by the business or by the developer or owner of the retail property benefitting from an approved Retail Development Incentive. Such contracts will include a “claw back” provision requiring  the recipient to reimburse the Fund a pro-rated amount of the Retail Development Incentive received in the event that the benefited retail property should become non-productive.

Contact OPED at 870-836-2210 for details.