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JOHNSON COUNTY - First in the State to Certify
While
some may know about ACE - Arkansas Community of Excellence
- and what it means to cities and communities throughout
the state to have this designation, you may not realize
the many aspects involved in becoming certified. The ACE
program is designed to enhance the overall livability
of a community, retain jobs and enhance the community's
competitive position in attracting new jobs and investments.
The program is geared to economic growth and community
development. It is an effective tool used by communities
in a process of self-analysis, organization and goal setting.
Each community has an opportunity to capitalize on the significant
economic development services the Arkansas Department
of Economic Development and other state agencies provide.
Clarksville
was first designated an ACE community in September 1999.
Communities have to re-certify every three years. Vicki
Lyons, Executive Director of the Clarksville-Johnson County
Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber staff have been
working toward certifying countywide when it was time
to re-certify. This is quite a task. Communities with
a population of 5,000-20,000 must implement a minimum
of ten (10) components including Education, Workforce
Development, Health Care, Law Enforcement, Fire Protection,
Solid Waste Management and Housing. Economic development
components include Site Development, Established Business
& Industry Program, Manufacturing, Agriculture and
Agri-Related Business, Tourism, Retirement Relocation
and Commercial Development. Numerous committees and countless
hours of data collecting have been done to accomplish
this and the Chamber has been notified that all of the
hard work has paid off. Johnson
County is the first to be designated ACE certified countywide
in the state! This means Johnson County will
be given higher priority when industry and/or investors
are looking at Arkansas for relocation and also more opportunities
for grant funding. Below is a copy of the official letter.
Governor
Beebe's Vision Plan
A
comprehensive county assessment that involves a compliation
of key demographic, education, economic and other data
that will inform county residents of relative trends.
The assessment will include trends in education, economic
activity, population change, workforce readiness, and
other key demographic indicattos impacting future economic
growth and quality of life in the County.
In
2008 the new Governor, Mike Beebe, implemented a new program
to take the place of the "ACE" Certification
program. Although the new program is not called "ACE"
and communities do not receive certification it provides
communicities the same opportunities to be ready through
stratigic planning for economic growth.
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