James Youngquist, executive director of the Institute for Economic Advancement in the UALR College of Business, recently p
rovided a guest commentary highlighting the institute’s 60th anniversary.
Youngquist recounted its history for the monthly magazine Talk Business and Politics.
From its conception during the Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus era to its current multiple partnerships with the business community, Youngquist said visionary leadership helped develop the institute into arguably the most comprehensive university-based economic development research and training institute in the U.S.
“It has been a remarkable 60-year adventure,” he said.
As a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center, the institute is charged with enhancing the work of Arkansas’ planning and economic development districts.
Currently, the institute is partnering with the federal government to provide technical assistance in the disaster recovery infrastructure effort for Vilonia and Mayflower. Both towns were devastated by tornadoes in 2014.
Youngquist is the recipient of the President’s Award from the National Association of Development Organizations at its annual conference in San Diego. He has worked at the institute since February 2008.
Dr. Michael Pakko, chief economist and state economic forecaster at UALR’s Institute for Economic Advancement, will present his annual forecast on the state’s economy on Oct. 15. Continue reading “Forecast on state’s economy coming Oct. 15”
An expert panel will discuss Arkansas’s economic future at the 11th annual Racial Attitudes in Pulaski County Forum from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Ron Robinson Theater in downtown Little Rock. Continue reading “Public forum to focus on Money, Class, and Opportunity”
When Bass Pro Shops throws open its familiar log doors on Nov. 13, outdoor enthusiasts from miles around will likely pack the new store to browse in an environment that has made the retailer one of the most recognizable brands in America. Continue reading “Institute’s economic research impacts decisions in state, region”
Dr. David Altig, executive vice president and director of research for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will address the national economic outlook at the 2013 Arkansas Economic Forecast Conference Wednesday, Nov. 6. Continue reading “Federal Reserve VP to speak at Economic Forecast Conference”
The Institute for Economic Advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has partnered with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce to host a breakfast focused on the region’s economic outlook. Continue reading “‘State of Region’ breakfast coming May 30”
Tonya Goza Hass, assistant research extension specialist at UALR, has completed an intensive week-long, three-tiered program from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.
Registration for UALR’s Institute for Economic Advancement’s 2012 Economic Forecast Conference is still open. The conference will be held from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Clinton Presidential Center.
Dr. Michael Pakko, chief economist and state economic forecaster for UALR’s Institute for Economic Advancement, said final statistics for the fourth quarter of 2011 predicts steady but unremarkable growth as the economy slowly emerges from the aftermath of the 2008‐09 recession.