Arkansas Economic Development Commission releases findings of Military Affairs Committee

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) today released the findings of the Governor’s Military Affairs Committee. Formed in September 2015, the committee of public and private leaders from around the state, led by Brad Hegeman, president of Nabholz construction Services, developed an economic impact analysis of the five military installations throughout Arkansas.

The analysis found that the five installations have a profound effect on our state’s economy:

62,400 total jobs supported (21,000 directly employed at an installation. 41,400 direct/induced jobs)
$3 billion in total labor income
$4.5 billion in gross state product
$330 million in tax revenue

“Governor Hutchinson recognizes the importance of Arkansas’ military installations as significant drivers in the state’s economy,” said Mike Preston, AEDC executive director. “Through a strong partnership between the Governor’s Office, AEDC and Arkansas’ congressional delegation, we will work together to maintain and grow these locations throughout the state.”

The analysis, conducted over several months, included site visits at each of the state’s five military installations (Little Rock Air Force Base, Camp Robinson/Camp Pike, Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Pine Bluff Arsenal, and Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center).

As a result, the impact analysis includes 17 areas for the Military Affairs Steering Committee and other stakeholders to address that support strategic objectives.

The recommendations include initiating community led partnerships in support of Arkansas’ military installations, determining each installation’s capacity to accept new missions, retaining more veterans throughout the state through a variety of dedicated efforts, capitalizing on expanded National Guard training opportunities at Camp Robinson and investing state resources to enhance military installations.

Col. Gary Holland was announced as AEDC’s Director of Military Affairs in December 2016. This position was created as a result of Governor Hutchinson’s focus on supporting and growing the state’s military installations.

“Through the findings and recommendations from this study, we now have a clear vision for our next steps,” said Col. Holland. “I look forward to working diligently with our team to create new opportunities for those who serve.”

Click here to download the full study.