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Independence County scores high in state economic development ranking

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Each year, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) is required to rank the state’s 75 counties according to four economic variables: poverty rate, population growth, per capita personal income, and unemployment rate.

The commission noted that the rankings determine the level of economic development incentives that may be available to eligible businesses in the county under various Consolidated Incentive Act programs.

In a June 28 letter to Independence County Judge Robert Griffin, AEDC Executive Director and Arkansas Department of Commerce Secretary Michael Preston said the rankings show that there are two counties in north-central Arkansas ranked in the top tier: Baxter and Independence. Preston said there are four north-central Arkansas counties in Tier 2: Cleburne, Fulton, Randolph, and White. There are three in Tier 3: Izard, Jackson, and Lawrence, and two counties in this part of the state are in Tier 4: Stone and Sharp.

The good news about being ranked in the bottom tier is that those counties are eligible for more economic development incentives for Consolidated Incentive Act programs.

Independence County Judge Robert Griffin said he is very proud of the county’s unemployment rate of 4.3 percent. The state’s rate is 4.4 percent, and the national rate or average is 5.8 percent. 

Griffin said he gives complete credit to local job providers for a job well done under difficult (pandemic) circumstances.


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