Local civic and business leaders learned about Issue 3 that will be appearing on the November ballot in Arkansas at a meeting at the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday. Cliff McKinney, representing Arkansans for Strong Communities, spoke to the group about the proposed constitutional amendment that’s aimed at expanding economic development tools for communities across the state. The measure would allow lawmakers to create economic development programs, including local “economic development districts,” where cities and counties could offer incentives to attract businesses, housing and other projects. McKinney explained that Arkansas is at an economic disadvantage compared to other states because it’s one of only two states that does not already have a program like this in place…
“Every single state except us and Arizona have this, so 48 out of 50 states already basically have this program on the books,” McKinney said. “It’s keeping us at an enormous economic disadvantage when every state that surrounds us can offer these type of economic development tools and local tools, and we don’t have the toolbox. We’re like a carpenter trying to build a building with no hammer and no nails when everybody around us has those tools available…”
McKinney further explained that the amendment would not raise taxes, but instead use new revenue generated by development projects……