Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
From the Chamber’s President/CEO
The days are still hot…but football’s back. School’s in session and thankfully, administrators and staff are doing the right thing with students attending in-person amidst cautionary Covid protocols. We keep meeting the challenges, and that’s what makes it so great to be part of this thriving North Arkansas community!
Wilson Marseilles and I, along with almost 200 others, attended the 2021 annual meeting of the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives in Jonesboro this past week. We had a great venue on the Arkansas State University campus, and engaged with Governor Asa Hutchison, Senator John Boozman, First District Congressman Rick Crawford, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston and other featured experts and speakers in the field of economic development. Many takeaways come to mind, but a couple of thoughts also arise about what’s been happening locally.
Economic development – the primary focus of the Harrison Regional Chamber of Commerce – is about creating jobs, bringing investment dollars to the community, and improving the quality of life and prosperity of all who live here. And we’re doing just that.
With the Chamber’s mission refocus to economic development that began in 2018 with the volunteer-led #believeboonecounty organization and their Strategic Plan, we note that 460 new jobs have been added, with an annual salary impact of over $15,880,000! Capital investment (industry expansion, new equipment, infrastructure, new retail) in the same three-year period totals $54,293,000! And these numbers only reflect what we know about; there’s more we aren’t aware of. Sales tax dollars returned to Boone County and Harrison are also setting ‘best ever’ records, with receipts this year-to-date totaling $8,347,085, an average between the two entities of a 14.6% increase over 2020!
Today, with more accurate information and software for tracking, the Chamber’s pipeline is projecting investment of over $115,450,000 in our Harrison-Boone County community that will create 396 new jobs with an annual payroll impact of $14,171,800! There’s more coming here too.
And consider the recently announced new residential housing development, coupled with revitalized programs to upskill our workforce, we’re putting all the puzzle pieces together. Expansion of existing businesses and new businesses choosing to locate here – because of a collaborative, business-friendly environment – are drawing new employees, new homeowners, new students, new retirees, new prosperity. Our future is bright!
Growth? You bet! Challenges? You bet. Can we continue the momentum? You bet!
Come join us. Call or contact the Chamber to be part of the power of collaboration and engagement.
We are Taking Care of Business!
Cheers, Bob