Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission Announces Action Plan for Economic Competitiveness In Data Analytics, Computing In Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (December 21, 2017) – The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission today announced its findings about how to grow the state’s economy in its “Report on the Economic Competitiveness of Computing and Data Analytics in Arkansas.” 

 

Formed in March 2017 by Governor Asa Hutchinson, the Commission was tasked with addressing business challenges in computing and data analytics, potential application niche areas for Arkansas to build excellence and depth in computing and data analytics, and skill needs in challenges of the state’s talent pipeline. 

 

The Commission, co-chaired by Charles Morgan, CEO of First Orion Corporation, and Mike Preston, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), drew upon the knowledge of industry executives from the state’s leading companies that are using data analytics and computing to compete across retail, transportation, food processing, agricultural, energy, information technology, telecommunications sectors and higher education. 

 

“For Arkansas to succeed we must work together to raise our capabilities and have a common game-plan with a clear vision, mission and strategic actions to be a national leader in data analytics,” Hutchinson said when he formed the commission.

 

After much work and review, the Commission has determined a public-private partnership is critical for advancing data analytics and computing and positioning Arkansas as a global leader in the industry. The Arkansas Partnership for Data Analytics and Computing will be a non-profit organization governed by industry leaders with representation from state government and higher education, limited to approximately 10 members to be most effective in overseeing the implementation of the action plan. 

 

“The future of Arkansas’s economic development is tied to our ability to succeed in data analytics and computing,” said Morgan, founder and past chairman of Acxiom. “It is a technology that cuts across our leading industries. If we are to succeed in retaining and growing existing jobs and recruiting industry, we have to have the talent and technical capabilities to meet this opportunity. A public-private partnership is needed to collaborate in developing the talent we all need in industry to compete in data analytics and computing.”

 

Over the next five years, strategic priorities for the Arkansas Partnership for Data Analytics and Computing include:

• Addressing the challenges of recruiting top talent actively involved in data analytics and computing

• Raising industry awareness and understanding

• Developing, engaging and retaining homegrown top talent in data analytics and computing

 

The Commission’s recommendations also included specific ways to:

• Advance increased networking and executive education for Arkansas companies to better integrate data analytics into their businesses

• Reinforce data analytics skills development across Arkansas’ universities and connecting students with businesses

• Target data analytics and computing talent retention, attraction, and retraining to ensure Arkansas can meet existing and new company demand for data analytics talent

• Raise Arkansas’s technical capabilities through a Data Analytics Strategic Improvement Plan

 

The Partnership will require dedicated resources for developing a “lean staff” able to facilitate engagement and keep actions moving forward, officials said. Commissioners estimate $25 million from state government and private entities over a five-year period will be required to staff the initiative and launch its near-term program efforts as a key technology-based economic development initiative of the state.

 

“Arkansas has a history of success in data analytics and computing,” Preston said. “The decades of industry expertise, combined with an influx of future workers thanks to the governor’s computer science initiative in our schools, puts Arkansas in the running to be a global leader in the field. The recommendations announced today will increase opportunities for our state’s businesses as well as our workforce leading to a more diverse – and stronger – economy.”

 

View the Blue Ribbon Commission's full recommendations on advancing the economic competitiveness of data analytics and computing in Arkansas HERE.