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.
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
MAY – JUNE 2018
CEDS Strategy meetings with PDD Staff to devise the plan of action for developing the CEDS, establish CEDS Committee Members.
FEBRUARY 2019 – MARCH 2019
Distribute analysis from CEDS Subcommittee Meeting to the committee for comment/feedback.
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 2018
CEDS Strategy meeting with PDD Staff and Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI) who will assist with data collection and analysis and facilitation of meetings. Distribute CEDS Survey to Committee Members.
CEDS Committee Meeting to get feedback on Action Plan Issues/Goals/Resiliency sections for comment. Prepare final CEDS document and present to CEDS Committee for comment.
First Full CEDS committee meeting discussing CEDS requirements, process for development, introduction of the CEDS Survey, and preliminary economic and demographic data overview.
APRIL – (MID) MAY 2019
Final comments/feedback received on full CEDS Final Document. Please respond in writing directly no later than May 31st regarding any changes, additions, or deletions you feel are applicable.
SEPTEMBER 2018 - JANUARY 2019
Collection and analysis of CEDS survey.
JUNE 2019
Submission of high resolution photos to respective areas to be included in document can be sent by Friday, June, 14, 2019.
2nd Full CEDS Committee Meeting to present final CEDS survey results and to complete SWOT analysis. Explain and review strategic target sectors, discuss Action Plan Issues/Goals/Resiliency requirements; and establish a CEDS subcommittee who will assist with creating the action plan section.
JUNE – JULY 2019
Work continues on creating website/document.
CEDS Subcommittee Meeting to decide on action plan issues/goals and begin to fill in the action plan items.
Present full CEDS document to PDD Board of Directors for adoption of the plan.
Lasting Impact
CEDS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Allen Scott, Mayor of Bryant
Amy Whitehead, Director, Center for Community & Econ. Dev. Division of Outreach & Comm Engagement, UCA
Amy Willams, Business Representative
Angel Koder, Business Representative
Barry Hyde, Pulaski County Judge
Bart Castleberry, Mayor of Conway
Benjamin Damron, Mayor of Holland
Bernie Chamberlain, Mayor of Austin
Bob Butler, Business Representative
Bob Johnson, Mayor of Jacksonville
Brooks Castleberry, Mayor of DeValls Bluff
Caleb Norris, Mayor of Maumelle
Charles Gastineau, Mayor of Ward
David Duch, Mayor of Hazen
David House, Mayor of England
Dennis Doepel, Mayor of Ulm
Diane Cunningham, Business Representative
Doug Erwin, Lonoke County Judge
Frank Scott, Jr., Mayor of Little Rock
Gary Henard, Mayor of Brinkley
Grindell Price, Business Representative
Harold E. Jones, Mayor of Bauxite
Kenneth Raynor, Mayor of Allport
James Pearson, Mayor of Keo
James Stinson, Mayor of Clarendon
Jeff Arey, Saline County Judge
Jim Baker, Faulkner County Judge
Jim Garth, Mayor of Des Arc
Joe Smith, Mayor of North Little Rock
Johnnie Mass, Business Representative
Jonathon Hawkins, Mayor of Mt. Vernon
Joyce Surratt, Business Representative
Judy Keller, Director of Community & Economic Development
Ken Kincade, Mayor of Cabot
Kent Smith, Mayor of Biscoe
Ladell Brown, Business Representative
Larry Taylor, Monroe County Judge
Leon (L.B.) Pavatt, Mayor of Damascus
Linda Collins, Mayor of Fargo
Lula Tyler, Mayor of Holly Grove
Michael Brown, Business Representative
Michael Nash, Mayor of Traskwood
Mike Kemp, Mayor of Shannon Hills
Mike Skarda, Prairie County Judge
Wesley Tyus, Mayor of Twin Groves
Paul Mitchell, Mayor of Alexander
Preston Scroggins, Mayor of Vilonia
Ralph Jones, Mayor of Coy
Randy Holland, Mayor of Holland
Ray Glover, Mayor of Carlisle
Ray McVay, Sr., Business Representative
Richard Terry, Mayor of Humnoke
Roy Carman, Mayor of Haskell
Sam Higdon, Mayor of Guy
Sammy Hartwick, Mayor of Greenbrier
Shane Ralston, Mayor of Enola
Shawntel Brown, Business Service Coordinator
Terry Mizer, Mayor of Wrightsville
Terry Robinson, Mayor of Wooster
Todd Larson, Director, NLR Economic Development
Tom Farmer, Mayor of Benton
Trae Reed, Mayor of Lonoke
Travis Hackelton, Mayor of Roe
Virginia Young, Mayor of Sherwood
Wally Shaw, Business Representative
CAPDD STAFF
Rodney Larsen, Executive Director
Conya Spencer, Director of Economic Development
Shawntel Brown, Business Service Coordinator
Kira Livingston, Digital Media Coordinator
AEDI STAFF
Jim Youngquist, Executive Director, Institute for Economic Advancement UALR
April Campbell, Community Development
Alison Wiley, Arkansas Economic Development Institute
Dave Rasmussen, College of Business