On this week’s episode, Jack Thomas, vice president of economic development with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, joins Rex to discuss Central Arkansas’ growing role as a national hub for manufacturing, distribution, and logistics.
Jack highlights the impressive economic expansion in the area, with the chamber working on 42 major projects since 2020, and which includes over 11,000 jobs, $470 million in new payroll, and more than $2 billion in total capital investment. He mentions that many of these projects were created by companies drawn to Central Arkansas because of its infrastructure and the strength of its workforce.
Despite an overall growth in employment across various sectors in the region, Rex brings up a long-term challenge associated with the region's economy: finding a means of moving more of those who work in Central Arkansas to Central Arkansas. Jack discusses the Chamber’s approaches to addressing this issue, with programs like the Academies of Central Arkansas, which works to connect students with local employers.
Looking forward, the two share excitement about the Little Rock Port "megasite," the growing presence of international companies in Central Arkansas and the expansion of the Dassault Falcon Jet at the Clinton National Airport, all of which should assist in generating more economic development and creating more jobs in the region.
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