Case Studies

• Arkansas Sales Tax
• Cheyenne, Wyoming
• Iowa: Dubuque, Clinton, Fairfield
• North Carolina

Arkansas State University
Delta Center for Economic Development

Case Study Summary

The ASU Delta Center for Economic Development appreciates the opportunity to partner with the East Arkansas Planning and Development District and Institute for Economic Advancement – University of Arkansas Little Rock in project ADAPT.

As the ADAPT team began to discuss case study themes, the conversation continued to revolve around change that has occurred over the past three decades and how issues that influence economic development have expanded to include a broad array of factors.  With that in mind, we looked for states, cities and towns that had adopted comprehensive and innovative development approaches; a focus on building a vibrant physical environment; and place-based job growth strategies.

In addition to the necessary requirements of land, infrastructure and well-trained workforce, a common denominator in all places we visited was the emphasis on quality of place – even in the smallest of towns.  A high quality of life index is cited as an important factor in a city or community’s ability to retain and attract people for today's advanced manufacturing and knowledge-based jobs.  Many of the nation's talent management and skilled workers are interested in living in a place that offers a balanced lifestyle that includes choices in housing, recreation and entertainment.  It is possible there has been some shift in this dynamic with the recent economic downturn, but it will likely continue to be a factor in the long-term.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

The study of Cheyenne, Wyoming's comprehensive planning project, PlanCheyenne provides details of the process used to engage the public in developing a land-use map overlaid with a plan for transportation, trails, and parks.  The project was launched in the quest to build a more diverse economy by targeting high technology and knowledge based projects.  In order to attract the best and brightest to fill these types of jobs, city officials recognized the need to build a more dynamic community.  The 700-page plan includes land-use and design principles established by citizens in the region - so much so, it is referred to as "the people's plan."  PlanCheyenne received the 2007 American Planning Association's Daniel P. Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan.  In 2007, the city also learned it was selected as the site for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) project and would include the world's largest supercomputer.  As the project progresses, leading scientists from around the globe will be recruited to Cheyenne.

The Cheyenne story provides insight on why and how city officials launched this development project to enhance the city's physical growth and how it factors into supporting a modern economy.

State of Iowa

Iowa Great Places is an initiative designed to pool state government technical support and provide grants to projects allowing communities to use their unique qualities and characteristics as a way to strengthen the local economy.  Dubuque, Clinton and Fairfield represent cites of 90,000, 30,000 and 10,000 respectively.  The study provides details on how natural and built resources are being used to enhance amenities in each place for the people who live there and how the projects double as a driver in the local economy.  In addition to strong incentive programs to support new investment, the Iowa Department of Economic Development promotes the state's commitment to creating a balanced and high standard of living.

The places represented in this report are comparable in size to many in Arkansas and will hopefully inspire communities to consider innovative approaches in its community and economic development strategic plans.  We also liked the concept of state agencies partnering and working together to coach communities during the visioning, planning and through the implementation process.  According to Iowa officials, technical support and monetary resources are being better utilized as a result of state agencies and departments working in teams.

North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center

The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center is known for having one of the most extensive programs in the country.  The Rural Center has a successful track record in developing policy and securing resources for community and economic development in its small towns and rural areas.   The center serves as the program administrator for basic needs like water and sewer improvements and more sophisticated projects including a venture capital fund for entrepreneurs in the state's most impoverished areas.  Building reuse, recreational improvements, tourism-related projects, training and leadership are just a sample of the initiatives the center has launched since its inception in 1987.  The Small Towns Economic Prosperity Demonstration Program (NC STEP) is a strategic planning model that provides technical support and monetary resources for local economic development.  A total of 33 towns were accepted into the program in the first three years.  This study includes a summary of projects and the characteristics of six of these towns that are not only surviving - but thriving.

In Arkansas, 54 of the state's 75 counties are outside a MSA and of the 21 counties in a MSA, 7 have a population of less than 20,000.  It is our hope these stories will serve as an example of how small towns are rebuilding themselves and the importance they play in a strong regional economy.

Local Sales Tax for Economic Development in Arkansas

The fourth study is a report on how six Arkansas cities and two counties are using revenue generated from a sales tax to fund economic development.  A survey sent out by the Delta Center to communities and counties identified by the Arkansas State Chamber that utilize a local sales tax to fund economic development serves as the basis for this study.  Not all communities responded and there may be additions since July 2009.  A call for updates will be made periodically as new sales taxes go on the books and the sunset clause many include that specifies an end date for collection.  Communities not represented that currently have a sales tax dedicated for economic development or that has been involved in a campaign and are interested in sharing what went right or wrong are invited to make contact with the ASU Delta Center for Economic Development.

Analyzing the Opportunity in Arkansas

The rationale of the case studies is to encourage a more comprehensive and innovative way of thinking about economic development at the local, county and regional level.  Additionally, it is our hope these stories will promote dialogue and strengthen already strong partnerships between our state development agencies, universities and other economic development organizations and we can begin to thoughtfully and respectfully explore how the state's resources can be maximized and if gaps exist.