LRWDB

Little Rock Workforce Development Board

5401 South University Ave, Ste 146
Little Rock, AR 72209
Telephone: (501) 682-0228
TDD: (800) 250-6691

Blog - Economic Development

Blog - Economic Development

Mayor Scott Delivers State of the City Virtual Address


Category: Economic Development

On Thursday, March 25, LRWDB CEO Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. delivered the 2021 State of the City address. The event, traditionally held before a live audience of one hundred or more people, was virtual this year and entitled Rebuild the Rock: State of the City Virtual Experience. It was streamed to both the city YouTube and Facebook pages and is accessible at LittleRock.gov.

During the address, Mayor Scott proposed the “Rebuild the Rock Penny Tax Initiative,” which would permanently increase the city sales tax from 9 percent to 9.625 percent, raising an estimated $53 million annually.

Scott indicated that some of the funding is intended to go to re-entry programs along with improvements to War Memorial Park and a new senior center, with other projects including a college savings plan for Little Rock Public Schools students and infrastructure investments.

Scott said the first priority in achieving the revitalization plans will be overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving past the pandemic, Scott said a key tenet of his vision for a new Little Rock is equity. In his vision, equity must be applied for everyone in jobs, health care, housing and all other facets of life in Little Rock.

Photo credit to Arkansas Money and Politics (AMP)

Central Arkansas ReEntry Coalition Holds Events in August


Category: Economic Development, Job Seeker Services

The Central Arkansas ReEntry Coalition (C.A.R.E.) is involved in two important events in August.

The Rally for Restoration

C.A.R.E is sponsoring “The Rally for Restoration” this Thursday, August 6, 5:30 p.m. at the Pulaski County Court House on Markham and Spring. The event is focused on restoration of voting rights for community members who have not registered to vote. C.A.R.E will provide water and face masks to attendees. It is important for the returning citizen population to know that their records do not have to be sealed in order for them to register to vote.  Please encourage members of the community who have not registered (especially those who are returning citizens) to attend this event and get registered!

Clinton School Study – State of Black Arkansas

C.A.R.E. also has the opportunity to engage in a two-year study with Practicum Study students to research and report on the “State of Black Arkansas” in the areas of housing, education, health, economics and incarceration.  This will be a statewide study, including 25-year comparisons. C.A.R.E. will begin the process of orientation with the Clinton School of Public Policy on August 11.

Visit the C.A.R.E website for more information – http://www.arkansasreentry.com

Little Rock Port Benefits from Public and Private Investment


Category: Economic Development

The Port of Little Rock is the largest industrial hub in central Arkansas with over 40 businesses that employ over 4,000 people.

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) recently approved $2 million in funding for infrastructure upgrades at the Port. This project was made possible through funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the City of Little Rock, and Pulaski County. The groundbreaking ceremony for these upgrades took place on July 6. The DRA funding provides a great example of how federal, state, and local leaders can come together and continue to spur investment in our region and make central Arkansas more attractive for new business.

The DRA’s investment aids current industries at the Little Rock Port Authority Industrial Park. It also provides necessary improvements to Sauber Road, which will attract new business, like Amazon and CZ USA, who are being served by the new road work. Amazon’s fulfillment center, to be located at the Port of Little Rock, will be Arkansas’s first. It will provide 1,000+ jobs with a lot of room for growth! The Southwest Little Rock Last Mile Delivery Center should be completed later this fall.