About Us
Restore. Revive. Invigorate.
Ibis Development wants to bring new life to Historic Downtown Blytheville. The initial plan allows for four new restaurants, four new lifestyle businesses, five existing professional services to relocate downtown, and one multi-screen movie theatre. Many of the buildings have second story areas suitable for living space. Two of the larger buildings are slated for immediate redevelopment for an estimated 30 total apartments.
Forward Thinking.
Ibis Development properties give you a chance to open your business with a blank canvas.
Historically Accurate.
Extensive research and planning will return this district to its former beauty.
Our Mission
Making Blytheville Better.
IBIS Development was founded by Erin and Andrew Carrington with the mission of revitalizing the historic business district of Blytheville, Arkansas. Beginning in 2013, the couple has acquired over 30 properties with hopes of changing the outlook of this community through redevelopment and cultivation of commerce and civic pride in downtown.
Andrew Carrington, founder, is the president of Delta Cartage, Mississippi County’s largest trucking company. Started in 2012 with only two trucks, it now employs 35 local residents and was recently appointed to the Arkansas Trucking Association’s 40 under 40 board. He holds a Masters of Business degree from the Olin School of Washington University (2013) and two BA’s from Rhodes College (2006). He currently serves as the President-elect for Blytheville’s Historic Commission.
Erin Carrington, founder, is the president of her family’s fourth generation cotton farming and ginning operation. She actively oversees all land management and commodity marketing as well as managing the daily operations. She holds a BA from Rhodes College (2006). Mrs. Carrington has spent three years on the Blytheville Public School Board after winning in a tightly contested campaign, and has managed in that time to bring School Choice to Blytheville and as well as lead the board to replacing the former superintendent. She currently serves as the Vice President of the school board, the President of the Delta Gateway Museum Association, and also sits on the Main Street Blytheville board.
Sarah Tipton Dickey is the project developer for Ibis Development. After graduating Rhodes College with a BA in 2003, Mrs. Dickey gained her masters of geoscience with an emphasis in meteorology from Mississippi State in 2006. She is a former broadcast meteorologist, seving Northeast Arkansas for more than seven years at KAIT in Jonesboro. Mrs. Dickey has managed large fundraising events, media and marketing campaigns for local non-profits, and believes in bringing life and vitality to Blytheville.
Having committed to living in Blytheville, the Carringtons have developed a plan to renew this dying Delta town, focusing on the simultaneous management of private investment, non-profit contributions, and active civic involvement. Recruiting a large support team, these transplants help oversee a variety of the projects that include a new produce farm, a distillery, a fitness-yoga center, and the development company.
