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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 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.
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Mike
Huckabee
Governor
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Arkansas
Department of
Economic
Development
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Jim
Pickens
Director
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September
23,
2002
Ms.
Vicki Lyons
Clarksville-Johnson
County Chamber
of Commerce
101 North
Johnson
Street
Clarksville,
Arkansas
72830-2949
Dear
Ms.
Lyons:
Congratulations
all of your
hard work has
come to
fruition.
Johnson County
has been
certified as
the first
Arkansas County
of Excellence
(ACE) in the
state. Upon
review, the
Community
Development
Consultants in
the department
have expressed
positive
comments
regarding your
submission.
This submission
will also be
used for
Clarksville's
recertification.
The
governor's
office has been
contacted to
request Johnson
County's
presentation be
placed on his
schedule. We
will contact
you soon with a
date for the
presentation.
I
realize it
takes many
hours by a
number of
people to work
on this
process. You
are all to be
applauded for
your hard work
and dedication
to your
community.
Clarksville is
truly an
Arkansas
Community of
Excellence and
now Johnson
County is truly
an Arkansas
County of
Excellence.
Sincerely,
Jim
Pickens
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One
Capital
Mall
Little
Rock.
Arkansas
72201
501.682.1121
FAX
501.682.7394
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JOHNSON COUNTY
- First in the State to
Certify