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Hot Springs economic-development office reports local project activity, Army Navy Hospital RFI response
Summary
The Hot Springs Metro Partnership and Chamber presented its August activity, reporting industrial and manufacturing prospects, workforce outreach, National Park College degree expansion and that the Army Navy Hospital request for information received three responses.
Cole McCaskill, vice president of economic development for the Hot Springs Metro Partnership and Chamber, briefed the City of Hot Springs Board of Directors on August and early-September economic-development activity and outreach. He reported workforce-video production with local hospitals and schools, ongoing prospect work on industrial property and manufacturing leads, and that the Army Navy Hospital request for information (RFI) produced three responses.
The report matters because the partnership coordinates local recruitment, workforce development and site-consultant outreach that support new jobs and downtown investment. McCaskill said the partnership is working with site consultants and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission on several prospects and that National Park College and the University of Arkansas at Monticello will offer a four-year computer information systems degree in Hot Springs.
McCaskill told the board staff updated workforce-presentation videos, including a shoot at National Park Medical Center with CEO Scott Bailey. He said partnership staff engaged site consultants at the Mid America Aerospace and Defense Summit to support five local aerospace companies and discussed several industrial and manufacturing prospects with AEDC project managers. He also noted the partnership and chamber were involved with community events: a Maurice Bathhouse grant-groundbreaking, National Park College ribbon cutting for Red Bud Hall, and a downtown development groundbreaking planned for October.
McCaskill said the Army Navy Hospital RFI had three responses as of Sept. 3 and described the state as taking an active leadership role. He reported internal recognition and staffing notes: a chamber audit for 2024 was presented and approved; the chamber submitted paperwork for five-star reaccreditation; and Gary (staff) was recently named Arkansas Chamber Executive of the Year. McCaskill also identified four local leaders named to Leadership Arkansas.
Director Webb asked whether there was news about the Majestic property; McCaskill said he had no update this month and would relay the need for better communication. The board was told the partnership will continue outreach with site consultants and AEDC project managers and will present formal action items to the board at the regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
The presentation included no formal board actions during the agenda-review session; items reported will return for formal consideration at the next scheduled meeting.
