By Anita Reding

March 21, 2007… By combining resources, the counties which are part of the Metro Little Rock Alliance can offer a “more influential voice in economic development,” Joey Dean, executive director of the alliance, explained to industry leaders and members of Pine Bluff Rotary Club on Tuesday.

Speaking at the 25th annual Industry Appreciation Day at Pine Bluff Country Club, Dean provided information about the alliance’s work to market the region and also offered details about financial incentives for companies.

Metro Little Rock Alliance is a coalition of 11 counties, including Jefferson, in central Arkansas.

Although there are economic development organizations in the participating counties, Dean said the region can “make a bigger splash” if they also work together.

A trained workforce is needed in order for a region to be successful and “economic development and education go hand-in-hand,” Dean explained.  The alliance is working with higher education institutions that prepare the labor force for companies in the region.

Although economic development includes recruiting new companies, existing businesses are the “bread and butter” of the region’s economy and it is important to meet their needs, he said.

Several financial incentive programs are available to area industries, including Advantage Arkansas, which offers state income tax credits for job creation; the Tax Back program, which provides refunds of sales and use taxes for building materials and taxable machinery and equipment; and the Recycling Equipment Tax Credit, which allows taxpayers to receive income tax credits for purchasing equipment which is used commercially for reduction, reuse or recycling of solid waste material.

Industry Appreciation Day is held each year by the Pine Bluff Rotary Club and the West Pine Bluff Rotary Club to thank industry leaders and to recognize the contributions of industry.

In 2006, country industries reported spending $18 million in capital investments, according to an industry expansion survey by the Economic Development Alliance of Jefferson County.  The investments included purchasing new equipment and constructing warehouse facilities.