Research Center to Host Statewide Arkansas Economic Issues Breakfast

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is hosting a statewide business and economic discussion on Wednesday, March 17. Via videoconferencing, the Arkansas Economic Breakfast Series links seven locations throughout the state of Arkansas and provides an interactive setting for learning about the latest economic trends that affect businesses in the state.

The program is the second in the series and will focus on infrastructure issues throughout the state of Arkansas. Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, and Michael Pakko, chief economist and state economic forecaster for the Institute of Economic Advancement in Little Rock, will provide the latest data and trends about the state’s economy.   Jim McKenzie, Metroplan and the Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Financing, will speak from Little Rock and address highways and funding highway improvements. Michelle Stockman, Connect Arkansas, will speak from Fayetteville and address high-speed connectivity. Another speaker will address the federal stimulus package and its implications for infrastructure improvement in the state.

After the panel discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to participate in conversations about unique local and regional economic opportunities and challenges.

Deck, who will act as host and facilitator at the Northwest Arkansas event, said, “The Center for Business and Economic Research is so pleased to continue this statewide discussion about the economic issues that affect us all. Bringing Arkansans from around the state together to hear good information about our common economic challenges and opportunities will promote prosperity.”

The Arkansas Economic Issues Breakfast Series is coordinated by the Institute for Economic Advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in cooperation with the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Walton College, the College of Business at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, the Delta Center for Economic Development at Arkansas State University, the Economic Research and Development Center at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Southern Arkansas University.

The Northwest Arkansas event will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on the University of Arkansas campus. There is a $20 fee for the breakfast event, and reservations are required by March 15. Reservations for any of the seven locations can be made at: http://ArkansasBusiness.com/IssuesBreakfast. Questions or reservations for the Northwest Arkansas event can be directed to (479) 575-4151 or emailed to cber@uark.edu.