Momentum Jonesboro on Pace to Grow Jobs in Key Sectors

Momentum Jonesboro, the economic development fundraising plan targeting job growth in northeast Arkansas, is on pace to reach its $3.7 million goal in May, as officials hoped. But the city isn't waiting on the final tally to begin work. Designed to create 2,500 jobs that pay $42,000 or more a year — with the related economic benefits that entails — Momentum Jonesboro is a five-year plan that has already secured $2.2 million in private capital from 31 different companies. "The business sector that is participating in Momentum Jonesboro I think is excited about the plan," said Mark Young, president and CEO of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce. "It is taking our existing efforts to a new level and we're excited about what the future holds." The fundraising initiative, devised by the private partnership development organization Jonesboro Unlimited, is focusing on three primary areas: marketing and staff to court selected industries, workforce development and improving Jonesboro's quality of life standards. Young said efforts are already underway on all fronts, including workforce development, which is targeting five industries based on existing talent, resources, economic factors and past relationships. Those industries, Young said, are agriculture business, advanced manufacturing (which includes food processing, equipment manufacturing and pharmaceuticals), logistics, health care and professional services. "We've started the implementation process of the str...
Source: Arkansas Business - Health Care - Category: American Health Source Type: news