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Group studying state's economy submits interim report Friday, Aug 1, 2008 By Jason Widest Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A task force studying ways to improve Arkansas' economic development efforts in the 21st century briefed Gov. Mike Beebe on their efforts Thursday. The Task Force for the 21st Century Economy, created last year by the Legislature to study four key items, did not present any findings but rather discussed their information-gathering efforts thus far. Final recommendations are due Oct. 31. However, the group did say it is considering ways to better link, but not necessarily merge, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority, possibly into a state-level commerce department. "We do think it's a good idea to put them in closer proximity," task force chairwoman Diane Lamberth said after the meeting. The agencies currently work out of three different buildings. Doing so would increase timeliness, efficiency, communication and collaboration among the agencies when they are working to recruit and develop industry in Arkansas, she said. The task force is looking into other state's practices, she said. So far, the task force has held eight "town hall" meetings across the state, and 81 communities had been invited to share their perspective on the opportunities and challenges they face, the group said. The group is scheduled to formally begin digesting that information later this month when it forms committees, Lamberth said. Legislation passed last year created the task force to define the role and scope of economic development in Arkansas, define programs and services needed to stay competitive globally, study the merits of changing the state constitution to allow the state to invest in private enterprise, and to study the organizational structure needed to be successful in economic development during the 21st century. |
