See You There

Economic development initiative brings Arkansas and Texas governors to Texarkana launch

Economic development efforts are the lifeblood of any city. Texarkana is no different. Creating new jobs in quantities sufficient to sustain our future and keep this region stable don’t just happen. It takes a concerted effort by people and institutions both public and private.

To this end, the Texarkana region has embarked on a new era of business recruitment, one predicated on aggressive actions in an ultra competitive market.

It is the only way to move forward nowadays.

This effort comes with a price tag and it comes with a mandate: Measurable results.

And it comes with a broad swath of support from officials near and far—including the governors of both states.

These folks have drawn a line in the sand, and on State Line Avenue next week they will ask you to cross it with them, to take the plunge in a show of support.

On Tuesday, AR-TX REDI and Texarkana College will host an event at the Downtown Post Office to unveil a plan to boost business and job opportunities in the area through unified and synchronized efforts between nearly two dozen area economic development groups.

AR-TX REDI will serve as a central information and response organization to provide everything a company needs when considering expanding to the Twin Cities or surrounding communities.

That’s important. All the economic development entities will continue to do their work, but with one central coordinating organization any prospective new business will have just one source to deal with for all their needs.

The kickoff event will be 3 p.m. Tuesday with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas and Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas front and center. This will be the first time in three decades governors from both states have shared a regional stage here. And they are doing so because they know how important AR-TX REDI is to our future. Do you see the significance as well?

If so, we hope you will make a point to be there at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Downtown Post Office to welcome the governors and show support for this new initiative. We want to make sure Gov. Abbott and Gov. Hutchinson know residents of Texarkana and surrounding communities are serious about economic development. The more people who show up, the greater the impact and impression.

This public expression of unity, for an event that is both rare and historic, is an important step in a process that could pay off for years to come.