Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Zook (standing) speaks during the Workforce Development Summit Friday at ASU-Mountain Home.
More than 60 business leaders, educators and public officials were joined by Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Randy Zook Friday on the campus of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. The Workforce Development Summit hosted by the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class was held in the Trout Nature Center of the Vada Sheid Community Development Center.
During Zook’s keynote address, he highlighted the economic growth of the Natural State. Zook told those in attendance Arkansas is the 14th fastest growing state in the country. It also ranks 12th for states to do business with and is second in job growth since 2020 with an increase of 6.3%.
With the job growth in Arkansas, the state continues to face challenges, and Zook tells KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot News the purpose of the Workforce Development Summit.
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During the summit, Zook stated Arkansas currently has only 44 available workers for every 100 open jobs, and job retention and recruiting is a top priority over the next 10 years.
The north central and northwestern portions of the state has been experiencing a population boom, but the opposite is occurring in the eastern and southern areas. Zook addressed that trend by saying people vote with their feet and go where it’s worth going.
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Zook also discussed how policy in Arkansas is driving growth. The state currently has the third lowest cost workers compensation system in the country. In addition, he says large cuts in Arkansas individual and corporate tax rates have lowered the tax burden on citizens and businesses, leading to $1.78 billion in savings in the state now being invested in growth. Zook says he believes Arkansas is heading in the right direction in terms of growth for the next 10 years.
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Zook’s speech was followed by a question-and-answer session, during which KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot’s Heather Loftis asked how Baxter County can become one of the top three areas for economic growth in the state beyond tourism. Zook encouraged the education of the local population, the continued support of large industry including the Baxter Healthcare Corporation and Danfoss and the support of Baxter Health. He also says access to the area could depend on the expansion project of U.S. Highway 412 across northern Arkansas.
In addition, the summit included a panel discussion exploring how to create more opportunities for business growth and better employment opportunity for the local population. ASU-Mountain Home Chancellor Dr. Bentley Wallace, Danfoss Human Resources Manager Mike Rotenberry, Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce President Dani Pugsley and Black Hills Energy Senior Account Manager Russell Tucker discussed housing, mental health and the role employers play, means of attracting and retaining employees and expansion of infrastructure to drive more business.
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