Governors to visit Texarkana
Hutchinson, Abbott to help launch local economic development organization
The governors of Arkansas and Texas are scheduled to appear together in Texarkana as part of an event launching a high-profile new economic development organization.
AR- TX Reg iona l Economic Development Incorporation will host a joint visit from Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sept. 4 at Texarkana’s downtown post office and courthouse building, half of which is in one state and half in the other. The event will serve as an introduction to AR-TX REDI, which aims to play a coordinating role in recruiting job-creating businesses to the Texarkana region on both sides of the state line.
A festive atmosphere is planned, with entertainment from area high school bands. Former Arkansas State Rep. Mary P. “Prissy” Hickerson, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and AR-TX REDI Board President Sonja Yates Hubbard are slated to speak.
The AR-TX REDI board of directors hopes to make a positive impression on the governors and announce to the public its intent to unify the region’s economic-growth efforts.
“This is our opportunity to impress the two most prominent people in the state that our area is hungry for economic development. We don’t need hundreds of people at this event. We need thousands,” Board Vice President Cary Patterson said.
AR-TX REDI plans to actively market the region and recruit new businesses and industries to locate here. To that end, the group’s first goal is to hire an executive director. On Tuesday, members of the organization’s board said they have identified several promising candidates and are excited to begin the hiring process.
The group is not meant to supplant organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, said board member James Henry Russell, president of Texarkana College, in a May interview.
“What it’s saying is that we have so many separate entities, we’ve got so many resources, so many positive things, but you don’t have one center point of organization. … The point of REDI is that we could care less where something goes as long as it goes in this area,” Russell said.
Existing development entities will continue to make their own decisions regard-
ing incentives, backers say, but will benefit from AR-TX REDI’s unified approach.
The funding goal for the group’s first five years is $600,000 per year, half of which is to come from private foundations and half from local business leaders. Texas A&M University-Texarkana is donating office space.
AR-TX REDI will also ask both cities of Texarkana; Bowie County, Texas; and Miller County, Ark., to begin setting aside funds in preparation for offering businesses financial incentives. The Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors and the Texarkana, Texas, City Council recently passed resolutions expressing support for AR-TX REDI.
Local joint appearances by the two states’ governors are rare. The last time one occurred was in 1986, when Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton and Texas Gov. Mark White together dedicated the Bowie County Courthouse in New Boston, Texas.
Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus and Texas Gov. John Connally came to Texarkana in 1964 and together with Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson dedicated a memorial to the late John F. Kennedy. In 1923, Arkansas Gov. Thomas C. McRae and Texas Gov. Pat Neff together celebrated the 50th anniversary of Texarkana’s founding.
The AR-TX REDI launch event is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 4 at the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, 500 N. State Line Ave.