Each month we here at Deltaplex News have had the opportunity to talk economic shop with Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. He started off our latest discussion with a look at some recent economic gains in Arkansas, including the announcement last week by Little Rock-based Lexicon that it would be expanding its corporate and fabrication operations.
Arkansas is also in the middle of the 2025 Legislative Session with several weeks still left to go. O’Neal highlighted some of the bills floating through the Legislature set to have an impact on the state’s economy.
O’Neal stressed public policy is key to ensuring Arkansas continues to capitalize on what has been a strong couple of years for the state’s economy. He said important legislation in recent sessions included tax cuts, funding for site development initiatives, reforms and other steps to make the state a better – and easier – place to do business.
Finally, O’Neal raised the AEDC’s efforts to ensure the state’s rural communities are not left out of the broader economic discussion. Towards that goal, the agency will soon host its annual Rural Development Conference.
For more information on the AEDC and the work it does, visit www.arkansasedc.com.
