Gov. Asa. Hutchison (center) releases findings of the Blue Ribbon Commission’s report on state’s competitiveness in computing and data analytics field. Arkansas Economic Development Commission Chief Mike Preston (R) and former Acxiom Corp. and First Orion CEO Charles Morgan, co-chairmen of the panel, stand at his side with interpreter and other industry and government leaders at the Governor’s Conference Room at the State Capitol.

“Blue Ribbon panel convened by Gov. Asa Hutchinson earlier this year is recommending the state launch of a $25 million, five-year economic development nonprofit to address business challenges in computing and data analytics, and finding better ways to recruit and retain talent to fill technology-related jobs.

Hutchinson, along with former Acxiom Chairman and CEO Charles Morgan and Arkansas Economic Development Director Mike Preston on Thursday (Dec. 21) released the findings of the 24-page “Report on the Economic Competitiveness of Computing and Data Analytics in Arkansas” as part of the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission impaneled in March.

During a press conference at the Governor’s Conference Room at the State Capitol, Hutchinson thanked commission co-chairmen Morgan and Preston for bringing together the public-private partnership that drew from senior level executives from many of the state’ top corporations, including Walmart, J.B. Hunt Transport, Murphy Corp. and Stephens Inc….”