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CENTRAL ARKANSAS

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

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WHAT IS CEDS?

As a designated Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), the CAPDD develops a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the six-county region. The District is composed of all the county governments and incorporated municipalities within the counties of Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski, and Saline  Counties. This CEDS plan follows the new guidelines released by the US Economic Development Administration in September of 2016 and is a strategy-driven plan developed by a diverse work group of local representatives from the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

 

Through its development and adoption by the region's local governments and the CAPDD Board of Directors, and approval by the EDA Austin office, the CEDS not only provides an organized structure plan for economic development of the region, but it also makes the region's local governments eligible for EDA capital improvement and infrastructure funds that help create, retain, and expand job opportunities for the citizens of Central Arkansas. 

Additionally, the Arkansas Association of Development Organizations (AADO), the statewide association of planning and economic development districts, of which CAPDD is a member, in partnership with the Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC), the Arkansas Municipal League (AML), and the University of Arkansas Little Rock Arkansas Economic Development Institute has developed a statewide CEDS to for the first time.

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Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 

A strategy-driven plan developed by a diverse work group of local representatives from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

Image by Oliver Graham


EVALUATION FRAMEWORK

The actions steps to the priorities are listed in the Evaluation Framework.


REGIONAL SERVICE PRIORITIES

Improving the public image of Central Arkansas will encourage economic growth, spur investment and improve the quality of life for District residents.


REGION & COUNTY PROFILES

The region’s economic opportunities and its rich and unique quality of life encourage businesses to expand, locate or develop.


SWOT ANALYSIS

The diverse and robust economy of Central Arkansas derives from the strength of local communities and the powerful economic engine provided by the metro areas in Pulaski, Faulkner and Saline counties. This creates a resilient economy critical to long-term growth and financial stability for families.


SUMMARY BACKGROUND

The regional and county snapshots shown on the following pages highlight the demographic and economic statistics of the region. As the data shows, government services, health care and social assistance, and retail trade are the leading industries, with health care projected as the leading growth industry.

Timeline - 2024 CEDS Report

NOVEMBER 2023

CEDS Committee Meeting

November 15- Metroplan- View Meeting Agenda

November 16- CAPDD- View Meeting Agenda

APRIL 2024

CEDS Committee Meeting

MAY 2024

Draft Review Comment Period

MARCH 2024

CEDS Sub-Committee Meeting

June 2024

Finalize CEDS & Submit to EDA

Lasting Impact

CEDS COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Allen Dodson, Faulkner County Judge

Amy Whitehead, Director, Center for Community & Econ. Dev. Division of Outreach & Comm Engagement, UCA

Amy Willams, AEDC Regional Manager

Barry Hyde, Pulaski  County Judge

Bart Castleberry, Mayor of Conway

Benjamin Damron, Mayor of Holland

Bernie Chamberlain, Mayor of Austin

Billy Hankins, Mayor of Brinkley

Bob Butler, Business Representative

Caleb Norris, Mayor of Maumelle

Carla Sue King, Mayor of Humnoke

Charles Gastineau, Mayor of Ward

Clyde Crookman, Jr., Mayor of Haskell

Colleen Bailey, Director, NLR Economic Development

Courtney Dunn, Director of Community & Economic Development

Crystal Hermann, Mayor of Alexander

Danny Hester, Mayor of Mayflower

David Hardke, Mayor of Hazen

David House, Mayor of England

Dennis Doepel, Mayor of Ulm

Derrick Rainey, Mayor of Wrightsville

Derrick Young, Mayor of Fargo

Diane Cunningham, Mayor of Clarendon

Doug Erwin, Lonoke County Judge

Frank Scott, Jr., Mayor of Little Rock

Grindell Price, Business Representative

Harold E. Jones, Mayor of Bauxite

Jeff Elmore, Mayor of Jacksonville

Jerry Matthews, Business Representative

Johnnie Mass, Business Representative

Jonathon Hawkins, Mayor of Mt. Vernon

Joyce Surratt, Business Representative

Ken Kincade, Mayor of Cabot

Kenneth Raynor, Mayor of Allport

Kent Smith, Mayor of Biscoe

Kimberly Schane, Mayor of Traskwood

Ladell Brown, Business Representative

Lawrence Holloway, Prairie County Judge

Marco Middleton, Business Representative

Mary Jo Townsell, Mayor of Sherwood

Matt Brumley, Saline County Judge

Michael Brown, Business Representative

Mike Kemp, Mayor of Shannon Hills

P.K. Norman, Monroe County Judge

Preston Scroggins, Mayor of Vilonia

Ralph Jones, Mayor of Coy

Ray Glover, Mayor of Carlisle

Ray McVay, Sr., Business Representative

Rhonda Sanders, Mayor of Bryant

Roger Scott, Mayor of Des Arc

Sammy Hartwick, Mayor of Greenbrier

Shane Ralston, Mayor of Enola

Stephanie White, Mayor of Keo

Terry Hartwick, Mayor of North Little Rock

Terry Robinson, Mayor of Wooster

Terry Williams, Mayor of Guy

Thelma Gray, Mayor of DeValls Bluff

Theodore Brown, Mayor of Twin Groves

Tom Farmer, Mayor of Benton

Travis Hackelton, Mayor of Roe

Wayne McGee, Mayor of Lonoke   

Willie Stokes, Mayor of Holly Grove

V.O. "Butch" Callhoun, Business Representative

 

CAPDD STAFF

Rodney Larsen, Executive Director

Conya Spencer, Director of Economic Development

Vivian Brittenum, Business Service Coordinator

Ashley Fugo, Digital Media Coordinator

 

ARKANSAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (AEDI) UALR STAFF

Jim Youngquist, Executive Director

Logan Benson, Community Planner

Alison Wiley, Arkansas Economic Development Institute

Reteisha Byrd, Community Economic Development Specialist

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