§ 15-4-209 - Arkansas Economic Development Commission -- Additional functions, powers, and duties. - Arkansas Statutes

15-4-209. Arkansas Economic Development Commission -- Additional functions, powers, and duties.

In addition to its functions, powers, and duties now provided by law, it shall be the function, power, and duty of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission within the bounds of its financial means to:

(1) Bring labor, industry, and agriculture into the closest and fullest possible accord for the development of the state's resources and the furtherance of its industry;

(2) Assemble and publicize all available information pertinent to the industrial opportunities afforded by this state, both in respect to particular sections and the state as a whole, including the raw material and the products producible therefrom, the water and power resources, transportation facilities, available markets, labor supply, industrial sites, and banking and credit facilities, all to the end of encouraging both the establishment of new industrial enterprises and the expansion of industries already existing;

(3) Cooperate with civic organizations devoted to the welfare and development of the state, or of particular sections, and to receive from such organizations and also from other sources similarly interested contributions to be used in the furtherance of any of the commission's functions;

(4) Prepare and publicize through the various appropriate media, including paid advertisements in instances in which appropriations have been made available for that purpose, information for the purpose of bringing into and establishing new industry in the state;

(5) Purchase, lease, rent, or sell and receive bequests or donations of any real, corporeal, or personal property;

(6) Contract and be contracted with;

(7) Establish and administer an industry training program to train workers for new manufacturing jobs in new or expanded plants of new manufacturing companies characterized by one (1) or more of the following criteria: a high average skill, a high average wage, rapid national growth, or jobs feasible and desirable for location in rural regions; in furtherance thereof, to contract with any one (1) or more state agencies, other public agencies, or private agencies for the performance by such agencies of any educational or training activity authorized by law or for the providing of any services related thereto; and, in furtherance thereof, to cooperate with and accept funds from the State Board of Education, the State Board of Career Education, or any other state agency or from the United States or any agency thereof;

(8) Engage in economic development planning to promote the harmonious development of the state, encouraging increased employment, increased personal income, and the preservation of the state's natural beauty and environment in cooperation with other state agencies and with local substate planning and development agencies;

(9) Promote the development, retention, expansion, and support of small businesses in Arkansas by providing direct technical assistance services and by coordination of and with the various available assistance programs;

(10) Expand the exportation of the state's agricultural and manufactured products to national and international markets by providing appropriate and effective marketing assistance and support;

(11) Encourage local participation and organization for economic development by providing necessary and appropriate community assistance; and

(12) Take such other action not inconsistent with law as it may deem necessary or desirable to carry out the intent and purpose of this act.