By STEVE BRAWNER
’Tis the season to be thankful, and there is much for which to be thankful in Arkansas this year – in business, in the state’s quality of life, and even in its politics.
Let’s start with the economy, where the state has become a national leader in several sectors.
Arkansas long has been king of retail thanks to Sam Walton, and the news from Bentonville continues to be good. Walmart recently reported that its third quarter revenues were up 6% and its net income was up 34% compared to the previous year’s third quarter. In other news, the Arkansas company continues to be led by Arkansans in its newly built home office. Its retiring CEO, Jonesboro native Doug McMillon, is handing the reins to Jacksonville-born and Rogers High School-educated John Furmer.
Meanwhile, the state’s southern region is blessed with an abundance of lithium, the critical element for battery storage. In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the Smackover Formation’s porous limestone contains between 5 and 19 million tons. That would be enough to meet the projected world demand in 2030 for car batteries nine times over. Companies including Exxon Mobil are investing hundreds of millions of dollars here.
Finally, the nation’s steel-producing center is no longer Pittsburgh. It’s Mississippi County in northeast Arkansas. The recent Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce annual banquet featured an address by U.S. Steel’s CEO, David Burritt, who talked about the $3 billion his company is investing in its Osceola operations.
It’s not just in economics for which there’s much to be thankful. Arkansas state government functions relatively cohesively thanks to a pragmatic political culture and the Revenue Stabilization Act, a mechanism that for the past 80 years has helped the state balance its budget. Since the mid-1960s, the state has been blessed with a succession of governors, Republican and Democrat, with vision and common sense. When it’s time to get down to business – such as passing a budget or approving the state’s school funding formula – the state’s lawmakers do pretty well.
Earlier this month, candidates filed for office at the Capitol and in courthouses, proving that the democratic process, contrary to rumors of its demise, is alive and well.
Congress is a mess, of course, but this is a good time for Arkansas. Five members of its congressional delegation chair committees. Sen. John Boozman chairs the Agriculture Committee at a time when Arkansas’ farmers surely need representation. Sen. Tom Cotton and Rep. Rick Crawford each chair their chamber’s Intelligence Committee. Rep. French Hill leads the House Financial Services Committee, while Rep. Bruce Westerman chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources. Rep. Steve Womack chairs the important Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee. It helps determine how (and where) money gets spent in those areas.
Meanwhile, Arkansas has the nation’s lowest cost of living, as recently explained by economist Dr. Michael Pakko. That fact, and some of the other above-mentioned ones, may be why Atlas Van Lines last year said Arkansas had the nation’s highest rate of inbound movers.
And as the state joins with others in marking November as National Adoption Month, it can celebrate its remarkable success in finding permanent homes for foster children. Fourteen years ago, 600-700 children were waiting to be adopted. That number is down to less than 180 thanks to a partnership between the state’s Division of Children and Family Services and faith-based organizations including Project Zero and The CALL.
In their day-to-day lives, Arkansans can speak their mind, easily start a business, and worship freely. It is not hard to get from one place to another. Wherever you go, there’s a good chance you’ll know someone in town. And you may wave at a few strangers along the way.
It’s where I spent my childhood, grew up in church, got my education, married my wife, raised my two oldest daughters, and welcomed my five-year-old into the world. It’s where, on Monday, the five of us enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with my parents, still going strong in their early 80s, and my brother and his family. Mom’s cake was wonderful as always.
Arkansas and modern life in general have a zillion imperfections, of course. We have 11.5 months in the year to discuss those.
This is the time to count our blessings. In the history of the world, few have had it better than we do right here and right now. So let us give thanks, and live thankfully.
Steve Brawner’s column is syndicated to 20 outlets in Arkansas. Email him at brawnersteve@mac.com.