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Council approves economic development contract with Metro Little Rock Alliance after presentation
Summary
After a presentation by Jack Thomas on MLRA's 2025 results (nine projects, 1,617 jobs, $67 million payroll and $1.6 billion capital investment), the Maumelle City Council approved Resolution 2026-06 authorizing an economic development services contract with Metro Little Rock Alliance, following a failed motion to table for further review.
The Maumelle City Council approved Resolution 2026-06 to authorize the mayor to execute an economic development services contract with the Metro Little Rock Alliance (MLRA) after hearing a presentation from MLRA representative Jack Thomas.
Jack Thomas told the council that MLRA closed nine projects in 2025 that represented 1,617 new jobs, $67 million in new payroll and $1.6 billion in new capital investment for Central Arkansas. He described MLRA’s ongoing marketing and site-consultant engagement and noted that shared services provide access to labor analytics and site-selection research for member jurisdictions.
Councilmember Gronwald asked for additional data and moved to table the resolution for further review; the motion to table failed. Councilmember Gardner then moved to approve the resolution; the motion carried and the contract authorization passed. The mayor said the current agreement is annual and Forvis has been the auditor used in prior years; staff noted the contract is substantially similar to previous years’ agreements.
The contract authorization allows the mayor to sign the economic development services contract with MLRA; Gronwald said he still plans to request additional data from staff but supported passing the resolution so MLRA can continue regional services.
