Delta Leaders Convene At ASU For New Collaboration

A plan to blend the work of university research and private sector efforts to build a strong future for the Delta can pay big dividends, the federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority said Thursday.

“This is really good stuff,” Chris Masingill said of the nearly 40 ideas that members of the Delta Research Consortium came up with. “If we do half of what is on that list, you can put a flag in the ground and declare victory.”

Officials from at least 35 universities and area businesses met at Arkansas State University to start searching for ways to build entrepreneurship and growth in the eight-state region. ASU is one of the sponsors for the project.

Masingill said the idea of helping the Delta has been a tried-and-true mission for many years.

“There has been at least four major initiatives in the past 15 years. And all of them have failed miserably,” Masingill said, crediting turf and funding battles as some of the reasons for the failure.

The mission this time is different, Masingill said, citing the work of 35 colleges in eight states working on the project.

WORK AHEAD
Before Masingill spoke, a group of at least 40 people sat down in the 8th floor conference room at the Dean B. Ellis library to discuss the issue.

The talk was one part bull session, one part brainstorming as the people discussed the ideas.

“What about money,” one person said.

“It is about building trust,” another person said.

Reid Bishop, an official with Belhaven College in Jackson, Miss., told the group that the college and others in the region have worked on conservation issues involving the Mississippi River flyways.

Bishop cited as an example nearby Jackson State University working with the Jackson Zoo to help the tiger population.

Masingill said other opportunities for businesses, universities and groups working together on issues can leverage support on a variety of issues.

But the goal is knowing what you have, especially when dealing with the federal and state governments, Masingill said.

“The more you can partner and collaborate (on issues), the better you can put yourself in a more competitive situation,” Masingill said of the need.

NEEDS AND ASSETS
The new consortium will give people an opportunity to learn more about the region. Right now, Masingill said it is sometimes difficult to compile information on everything from education and healthcare to infrastructure needs and assets.

He said most places that are successful have one thing in common – an institution of higher learning or access to one.

Masingill cited ASU as an example.

“ASU is an attractor for business and is a huge asset for Jonesboro, Craighead County and the entire region,” Masingill said. “We also don’t need to forget our two-year schools as well.”

Another need involves narrowing the so-called “skills gap” in the region, Masingill said.

“We have job openings in all eight states (of the Delta Regional Authority) because of the skills gap,” Masingill said.

Many companies, including one in Jonesboro Wednesday, have cited the need for welders and engineers in today’s world.

Masingill said he believes there should be support for the idea of “cradle to grave” education, with people constantly working to become educated in a complex world.

The meeting ends Friday.