Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Economy major concern for legislative session

With the problems facing the upcoming legislative session, which began Jan. 10, don't expect it to adjourn on time this year.

State Representatives Tommy Roebuck and Chris Thomason were in Prescott talking about what they consider to be the main issues of the session.

The two began by lauding Prescott and Nevada County for its efforts in economic development. Thomason called Nevada County the most aggressive county in the state when it comes to economic development.

Roebuck said south Arkansas needs to develop a regional economic development plan, such as other parts of the state have. He discussed the "Golden Triangle" of Camden, Magnolia and El Dorado, saying the concept appears to be working there.

"We need to expand and go regional to develop our economic development program," he said, "but I'm not talking about doing away with our local offices, just working together."

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, said he and Judy Davis, with the Hope EDO work together to try and keep projects in this area because they know both areas benefit when an industry locates in either Hempstead or Nevada County.

"The problem," he said, "is there isn't a level of trust between communities and funding is a problem."

Chadwell said there was an effort in Texarkana to make a regional economic development office, but the problems couldn't be worked out. The funding idea, he added, was based on population and Nevada County's part would have been $35,000 a year, which is more than the local EDO could afford. "Most communities struggle to fund their EDOs."

Thomason said anytime an industry comes to Arkansas it's good for the entire state, but he wants to see southwest Arkansas get its fair share of new industries. There has been a lot of emphasis placed on trying to build the economy in southeast Arkansas on getting an automotive manufacturing plant, he continued, but southwest Arkansas is an ideal location for almost any venture.

This, he said, is because of the Red River Navigation Project, the rail capacity in the region and Interstate-30, along with an available labor force.

Chadwell said a lot of issues are involved with regional EDOs, and the local governments involved would have to work them out. Economic development officers, he added, have had great meetings, but there haven't been any meetings by those who actually make policy. "We must start with city councils and quorum courts and get them to understand we're all on the same team."

The unemployment rate in the area, Chadwell said, is low, but the population is declining and these are two issues the region must address. "We need to show [prospects] we have a mobile work force. People who will go where jobs are," he said.

Thomason agreed and said the passage of Amendment 2, which will allow the state to vie for super projects, will help Arkansas be able to compete with Texas and Oklahoma.

"Amendment 2 isn't a cure-all," Thomason said, "but it does make us competitive."

Under Amendment 2, an industry choosing to locate in Arkansas would have to have a minimum investment of $500 million and employ at least 500 people The state, in turn, would invest 5 percent of the general fund for bonds to help the business succeed. There are safeguards in place to make sure the system works.

Roebuck said some legislators opposed Amendment 2 because 5 percent of the state's budget is involved, but added if the state gets a super project it will more than make up for the 5 percent involved.