2010: ‘No time for sissies’

While no sampling is ever 100% accurate, a recent collection of opinions from area business and civic leaders suggests creation of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Authority was a key 2009 accomplishment, with 2010 success hopes placed on boosting efforts to improve quality of place and support economic development.

The effort to create a regional intermodal authority began again in earnest on Feb. 18, and resulted in a May 27 meeting in which key governmental and business leaders in Crawford and Sebastian counties agreed to push the effort. That effort was funded thanks in large part to Rep. Rick Green, R-Van Buren, who successfully pushed legislation that provided $375,000 to get an intermodal authority on its feet.

The authority is geared to maximize the use of all forms of transportation — rail, barge, air, interstate — so as to reduce shipping costs and increase service options for regional business and industries.

In addition to creation of the RITA, other 2009 successes mentioned were recruiting Mitsubishi, the start of talks between Fort Smith and Sebastian County to maximize use of Ben Geren Regional Park, discussions on riverfront development/quality of place initiatives, further expansion/student growth at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and Fort Smith voter support to extend a sales tax to fund another $30 million in sewer system improvements.

Non-successful elements of 2009 included not being able to attract jobs that will help keep talent and college graduates in the area, inability to develop a firm plan for riverfront development, and no firm plan for coordinating convention center and tourism recruitment operations in Fort Smith.

When asked what they hoped regional leadership or their personal efforts could help accomplish in 2010, most respondents mentioned a continued focus on and support of regional economic development and quality of place initiatives.

“I hope that we’re able to make significant progress toward community consensus for development of the Arkansas riverfront near downtown Fort Smith,” noted Deputy City Administrator Ray Gosack. “Most people agree that the riverfront is an underutilized asset. 2010 will be the year for the community to chart a plan for navigating the future look of Fort Smith’s riverfront.”

Rusty Myers, economic development director of the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, was specific in his answer: “Establishment of a regional economic development entity, independent of any one jurisdiction and supported by a partnership of area jurisdictions and private and public interests.”

Myers added that the region needs to “support economic development on a more sustainable basis, or at least re-fund the current initiative” by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“This issue will and should be approached as a regional (not just Fort Smith) initiative,” Myers noted. 

The collective response was primarily one of cautious optimism when asked what the economy will do in 2010. Most respondents said consistent improvements are not likely to happen until the second half of 2010.

Sebastian County Circuit Court Judge Jim Spears said he hoped regional leadership would more aggressively invest in facilities and programs that would boost the region when economic conditions improve.

“We must be positioned to take advantage of things when it (economy) does turn around. No time for sissies, in other words,” Spears advised.