VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Community and Regional Success Stories
North Central Arkansas Region Hosts Call to Action Caucus – February 2006
Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of
history to wait for the train of the future to run over him. -
Dwight Eisenhower
With this quote, Gil deLorenzo, Executive Director of the North
Central Arkansas Regional Economic Development Corporation (NCARED)
welcomed participants to the NCARED Call to Action Caucus. The
caucus was a two-day retreat for key leaders in the region held at
Gaston’s Resort on the White River.
Board President Steve Sanders gave the history of NCARED, reflecting
on its beginning in 1991 with the industrial development committee
of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce. It has grown since that
time to become a seven-county region with 150,000 citizens and a
workforce of 54,000. NCARED has been very active, completing a
business plan, a strategic plan, a DINA web page through the UALR
Institute for Economic Advancement, and a summit last August with
over 300 in attendance.
Mitch Chandler, Director of Marketing for the Arkansas Department of
Economic Development, shared these facts with the caucus audience:
- All of underwear and socks worn by audience members were made in
China!
- China has capitalism without democracy, enabling the country to
make decisions faster.
- 40,000 manufacturing jobs left Arkansas during the last 5 years.
Jay Chesshir, Executive Director of the Metro Little Rock Alliance
stated: "Companies no longer care about political boundaries. What
they worry about is – ‘What is the labor force in a 20 mile radius?’
If that labor force will help them realize their goals, they will
come and visit." Chesshir added: "Today broadband is no longer an
add-on. It is a given. If you don’t have it, those types of
industries won’t even look at you."
Robert Pittman, Director of the Community Development Institute,
stated: "You can’t have successful economic development without
successful community development. It is critical that you practice
both." He added: "Regionalism is a growing trend in the United
States. It sends a positive message that communities are working
together."
Ron Swager, Director of Economic Development Education with the UALR
Institute for
Economic Advancement, described critical elements for success, with
a focus on organizational structure, staffing, and funding.
Mark Peterson and Maureen Rose presented the Breakthrough Solutions
Program and led
the retreat participants through a process of describing four
possible scenarios – plausible futures for the North Central
Arkansas Region. These scenarios are:
- Moving Forward – regions and communities with a shared vision,
able to harness the forces of change
- Spinning Wheels – regions and communities with a shared vision,
but not in touch with the global, knowledge-based economy
- Frustrated Observers – regions and communities without a shared
vision, but knowledgeable about the global economy
- Left Behind – regions and communities without a shared vision, and
not in touch with the global economy.
Wayne Miller, economist with the University of Arkansas Cooperative
Extension Service, then discussed "Identifying Regional
Opportunities for Growth."
Congratulations to Gil deLorenzo and the NCARED board for pulling
together such a top notch group of leaders in the region and hosting
a productive retreat. Thanks to Barbara Merrick of Entergy’s
TeamWork Arkansas for her valuable assistance as well.
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