Alexander council considers variance request: Council accepts high bid for Kent property

The Alexander City Council is considering a variance request to change the planned construction of a site-built home to a manufactured home. This will be the second variance for the property at 14916 Regency Drive in south Alexander. The lot is at the corner of Regency Drive and Charles Street.

Property owner Heman E Montoya received permission in 2024 to have the single large lot divided into two smaller lots. However, the minimum lot size allowed is 8,000 square feet. Splitting the lot leaves one half with 6,916.5 square feet and the other is 6,901.5 square feet. Allowing the smaller lots was the reason for the 2024 variance.

The plan included building a single-family site-built home on each lot as rental units. After leveling the property with multiple dump truck loads of dirt, Montoya says the lot that faces Regency Drive won’t handle the weight of a site-built home. He still plans to place a site-built home on the lot that faces both Regency Drive and Charles Street.

City Attorney Chris Madison said Montoya will have to provide something in writing that states specifically what is being requested. This will provide something for council members to vote on at a subsequent meeting.

Council accepts $25,100 bid

Sealed bids to purchase the property located at 14805 Kent Drive, in Alexander, Arkansas were opened July 6 at Alexander City Hall. The property is owned by the city and was relinquished to Alexander in lieu of paying fines for property maintenance violations.

There were three bids. Council members accepted the high bid submitted by Teresa Canchola for $25,100.00. The other two bids were from Manuel Beza for $18,500.00 and Joaquin Avarodo for $9,000.00.

In other news at the July 20 meeting

Little Rock boxing club moves to Alexander

The Alexander City Council approved a user agreement that allows the owners of the Arkansas Factor Boxing Club (A.F.B) to use a vacant building near Community Center #2. Both buildings are on the property formerly known as the Alexander Human Development Center along Highway 111 in South Alexander.

The non-profit A.F.B is operated by Marcos and Catherine Lopez. The club caters to both teenagers and adults.

City to submit grant application to renovate Community Center #2

The Alexander Council approved submitting a grant request to renovate Community Center #2. The grant is provided through the Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program.

Council approves use of unused building for animal control

Alexander Police Chief Timothy Preator told council members that Alexander, Bauxite and Shannon Hills officials have been discussing the formation of a regional animal control. But, Preator said they don’t want to get too deep in their planning without a building to operate from.

Council members approved use of the brown, brick building for animal control. The building is on the former Human Development Center property along Highway 111 in South Alexander.

Preator said the building would mainly serve as a place to temporarily lockup strays. He even suggested Alexander would charge Bauxite and Shannon Hills for keeping their strays until they are released.

Totaled police car requires amending 2026 budget

A resolution, moving $20,000.00 from the General Fund to the Police Fund, was approved by the city council to replace a police car totaled in an accident. The insurance company is covering $33,000.00 of the $49,000.00 needed to buy and outfit a new vehicle.

On July 1 a police car was involved in an accident, which totaled the vehicle. The officer driving the police car survived. He was responding to a reported accident at Main St. and Highway 111.

Street Department selling tractor

Council members adopted an ordinance allowing the sale of a 2018 Mahindra tractor. The ordinance states the tractor, “[I]s no longer necessary for the use by the Alexander Street Department.”

Back To School Blast Saturday

The Back To School Blast will be held Saturday, July 25, from 5PM to 8PM at Community Center #2. School-age children will be provided backpacks and school supplies along with water slides and free haircuts.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Alexander City Council is Monday, August 17, at 6:00 PM in the courtroom of the Alexander Municipal Complex (City Hall). Meetings are open to the public.

Alexander’s Power Technology, Inc, to participate in UK airshow

PRESS RELEASE

ALEXANDER, Ark., July 20, 2026 — Power Technology, Inc., a laser manufacturer headquartered in Alexander, Arkansas, announced today that it is participating in the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow as part of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Arkansas delegation. The company will join state economic development leaders and Arkansas aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing organizations in representing the state on the international stage.

The Farnborough International Airshow will take place July 20–24, 2026, in Farnborough, United Kingdom. Power Technology will join Team Arkansas at Booth 3125, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) booth. Walter Burgess, Co-CEO of Power Technology, will represent the company during the delegation’s Farnborough activities and meet with aerospace, defense, aviation, and technology organizations interested in U.S.-manufactured laser solutions.

Power Technology’s participation gives Arkansas another advanced manufacturing story to share at one of the world’s most visible aerospace and defense gatherings. Founded in 1969, the company designs and manufactures laser modules, pulsed laser sources, power supplies, and custom laser systems used in aerospace, defense, OEM, and advanced technology applications.

“Power Technology has been manufacturing laser technology in Arkansas for more than 50 years, and Farnborough gives us an opportunity to show global aerospace and defense partners what advanced manufacturing in Arkansas looks like,” said Walter Burgess, Co-CEO of Power Technology, Inc. “When Arkansas manufacturers win new aerospace and defense programs, the impact extends beyond a single company. It supports skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs, strengthens local suppliers, and creates opportunities for continued investment and job growth here in Arkansas. Companies like ours are part of that foundation.”

At the show, Power Technology will meet with companies and organizations seeking U.S.-manufactured laser solutions for defense systems, aerospace platforms, sensing, alignment, inspection, testing, optical systems, and advanced technology programs. The company supports customers with laser source selection, wavelength options, optics, electronics, thermal management, mechanical packaging, wiring, documentation, and integration support.

Power Technology’s participation supports Arkansas’ broader effort to promote the state’s aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing capabilities to international companies, investors, and industry partners. Arkansas’ aerospace and defense ecosystem includes manufacturers, technical suppliers, workforce resources, military-connected infrastructure, and economic development organizations working to expand the state’s presence in global markets.

“For us, attending Farnborough is about more than a trade show,” Burgess said. “It is an opportunity to stand with Team Arkansas and show that highly technical manufacturing, engineering responsiveness, and long-term customer support can come from right here in Arkansas.”

Power Technology invites Arkansas delegation members, media representatives, aerospace companies, defense contractors, optical system integrators, and technology partners to connect with the company during Farnborough International Airshow 2026 at Booth 3125.

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Alexander, Arkansas, Power Technology, Inc. designs and manufactures laser modules, pulsed laser sources, laser power supplies, and custom laser solutions for aerospace, defense, OEM, and advanced technology applications. With more than five decades of laser manufacturing experience, Power Technology supports customers through wavelength selection, optics, electronics, thermal control, mechanical packaging, testing, documentation, and integration support.

Alexander to hold public hearing for grant application

Alexander Mayor Crystal Herrmann has scheduled a public hearing to be held before the July council meeting. The public hearing will be held on July 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM at the Alexander Municipal Complex (Alexander City Hall) located at 15605 Alexander Road, Alexander. Everyone is invited to attend.

According to the public hearing notice, the purpose of the hearing is to identify and prioritize, “the community needs of the City of Alexander, determining whether an application for Arkansas Community and Economic Development Program (ACEDP) funds should be developed and if so, for what community need.”

The notice does not specify the city is seeking funding for a specific project. Rather, Herrmann is asking for project ideas. “Also, comments on proposed project activities will be discussed, especially those with possible impacts on the community, should the project receive funding.”

The notice also states, “ACEDP funds are federal assistance received by the State of Arkansas and administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. These funds will be made available to cities and counties according to need and can be used for housing rehabilitation, community facilities, or economic development, but must address one of the following objectives:

l. Provide benefit to low and moderate income families,

2. Aid in the prevention of slum and blight, or

3. Meet other community needs, which pose a serious, immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where no other funding is available to meet such needs.”

“All residents of the City of Alexander are encouraged to attend the hearing and participate in the community development process,” the notice continues. “The City of Alexander will provide technical assistance in developing proposals by groups representing low and moderate income persons.”